The Iberian Peninsula's northern coast, Sopela, Spain

 

 

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Sopela, 

municipality   in the province of Biscay,

in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain.

Sopela, formerly known as Sopelana, is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain. The town is roughly 820 hectares in size, located in the comarca Mungialdea on the north east side of Bilbao and due east of the Nervión river estuary. In the municipality, other former towns like Larrabasterra were annexed to make Sopela larger. The population is 13,878 people, as recorded in the 2019 census. The area of Sopela is situated among green hills and beaches. This makes it a very attractive suburb of Greater Bilbao, with a short commute of 35 minutes on the metro.

 

History

 

Since the late 1980s, the population of Sopela has continued to grow and currently has 13.000 citizens. During the industrialization the citizens moved to the urban centres that were more crowded but since that decade this tendency has been reversed. Sopela has become a residential municipality well connected with bigger municipalities and with Bilbao. It was at first a primarily tourist destination, where the properties and house owners only moved to spend summer holidays but it has turned into a residential town. At the moment, it is one of the municipalities with the highest per capita income of Spain.

 

 

Geographic situation

Aerial view of Sopela and the nearby coast.

An aerial view of the coast north of Bilbao including the town of Sopela.

 

Sopela belongs to a region called Uribe that is composed by 15 municipalities that are: Arrieta, Bakio, Barrika, Gámiz-Fica, Gatika, Górliz, Laukiniz, Lemoniz, Maruri-Jatabe, Meñaka, Mungia, Plencia, Sopelana and Urduliz. It borders with the Cantabrian sea in the north, what makes Sopelana have spectacular cliffs and beaches (Barinatxe, Arrietara, Atxabiribil and Meñakoz). The municipality of Barrika is located to the Northeast, Getxo to the Northwest, Urduliz to the Southeast and Berango to the Southwest.

 

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St. Peter's church in Sopela/Sopelana, Biscay

 

 

Beaches

 

 

 

Sopela beach, paragliding

Paragliding in Askorri / Azkorri, Getxo, near Barinatxe / La Salvaje Beach, with Sopelana at the background. Basque country (Spain).

 

Sopela is known for three beaches Atxabiribil, Barinatxe, and Arrietara. They are rather exposed to the elements of the Bay of Biscay and have good conditions for surfers. A fourth beach, Meñakoz is of less appeal for sun worshippers and more for the surfer crowd due to the pebble bed ground. Sopela is frequently the host of regional surf competitions as conditions are adequate for surfing in its beaches. A less famous, but also internationally known event, is the yearly nude race on Barinatxe beach in the fall. Barinatxe is a clothing optional beach. Another special place in Sopela is a small creek called Ikatza known only by its citizens.

 

Rocks With Silky Water In Sopelana Beach Sopelana Spain

 

Sopelana Beach With An Elongated Rock   

in the foreground on a cloudy day, in Sopelana, Spain

Sopelana Sunset

 

Sopela, Spain

 

The Iberian Peninsula's northern coast is widely known as Green Spain, its rainy climate and lush woods more reminiscent of Britain than Barcelona. But sometimes you'll find its beaches awash in decidedly hotter tones. The sunset isn't all you'll find sizzling here in the Basque Country: In this unique autonomous community, coal-fire grills glow late into the night, adding delicious char to traditional dishes of seared meat and fish.

 

Scenic view of majestic Atxabiribil beach, Sopela, Spain

 

Spain Sopela Crag Ocean Nature Coast

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 Spain Sopela Sea Rock Nature Sky Coast Clouds

 

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Piso Frente al Mar in Sopela

 

2023 Best Beach Trails in Sopela

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Sopelana, Uribe Kosta .Surf and nature 

 

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Sopelana Sunset