Castro Urdiales is a small resort and fishing harbour in Cantabria, situated eight miles west of the major port of Bilbao. Originally a 1st century AD Roman colony established to mine iron ore deposits, it is now a popular tourist destination. This is the view from the end of the long breakwater which protects the harbour.

The Breakwater at Castro Urdiales - Castro Urdiales visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'The Breakwater at Castro Urdiales' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Cantabria.

Castro Urdiales is a small seaside port town on the Bay of Biscay in the Basque Country. known as Flavióbriga during Roman times, it was an important fishing village and still has an active fishing fleet.

Protecting the harbour is this large breakwater on which is the remains of Saint Ann's Chapel, a 17th century chapel built to house the statue of Nuestra Señora del Mar (Our Lady of the Sea). Beyond this on a rise are the Iglesia de Santa Maria on the left, and the old castle and lighthouse on the right.

Today, the economy of Castro Urdiales relies much more on tourism than fishing, with visitors from all over Basque Country, Cantabria and beyond flocking here for the beaches, sea and sand.

Bus: Regular services from Castro Urdiales to Bilbao.
Road: Castro Urdiales is on the A8 between Bilbao (about 35km) and from Santander.
Flight: Bilbao and Santander airports.