Gorliz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gorliz
Municipality
Gorliz
Beach of Gorliz
Flag Coat of arms
Gorliz Location in Basque Country Show map of Basque Country Gorliz Location in Spain Show map of Spain
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Basque Country
Province	Biscay
Comarca	Mungialdea
Founded	Before the 13th century
Area
• Total	10.29 km2 (3.97 sq mi)
Elevation	125 m (410 ft)
Population  (2018)
• Total	5,683
Demonym(s)	Gorliztarra
Postal code	48630
Dialing code	94677
Website	http://www.gorliz.net

Gorliz is a beautiful town and a municipality in northern Spain. It's part of the Basque Country, a special region in Spain, and is located in the Biscay province. In 2014, about 5,664 people lived there.

Gorliz is made up of several smaller areas called neighborhoods. These include Elexalde, Santa María, Uresaranse (also known as Urezarantza), Gandia, Areatza, San José, Guzurmendi, and Orabille.

The town's economy mostly relies on services, especially tourism. In recent years, Gorliz has become one of the most popular places for tourists to visit in Biscay.

Fun Places to Visit in Gorliz

Gorliz has many exciting spots to explore. One of the biggest attractions is its lovely beach and the nearby pine forest.

Astondo Beach and Petrified Dunes

Near the northern part of the main beach, you'll find a section sometimes called Astondo Beach. Here, you can see the amazing Petrified Dunes of Astondo. These unique sand formations have turned into rock over time and are considered a very important natural site.

Historic Churches

You can also visit old churches like the Church of the Immaculate Conception. It was first built in the 10th century and later updated in 1781. The church of Santa María (also known as Andra Mari) is another interesting historical building.

Cabo Villano Lighthouse and Views

If you travel about 30 minutes from the town center, you'll reach Cabo Villano, or Billao in Basque. Here, you can enjoy amazing views from the lighthouse. In this area, there are also old cannons and underground tunnels. These were built a long time ago, after the Spanish Civil War, to protect the coast.

Other Fun Spots

Gorliz also has a camping area, a youth hostel, and many other interesting places for visitors to enjoy.

Gorliz Beach: A Great Place to Swim

The beach in Gorliz is a fantastic place to spend a day! It's about 842 meters long and 120 meters wide. The water quality for swimming is excellent, making it a safe and fun spot for everyone.

Getting to the Beach

You can easily reach the beach by car using the BI-2120 road towards Mungia. Just take the exit from the Saratxaga roundabout to Gorliz, then follow the BI-3158 (Uresarantze Bidea) road towards Gorliz Hospital. There are also several bus lines that go directly to the beach. If you take Metro Bilbao (the subway) to its last stop, "Plentzia," it's a pleasant 2-kilometer walk along the Butroe River estuary to Gorliz beach.

Gorliz's Marine Hospital

At the start of the 1900s, people began to realize how good sea baths were for health. New medical ideas about rehabilitation and a fresh way of thinking about free time led to new treatments, like marine hospitals. The idea for Gorliz's first marine hospital on the Biscay coast came from several doctors, especially Dr. Enrique Areilza. The local government, led by Luis de Salazar, was very interested in this idea.

Fun Festivals in Gorliz

Gorliz loves to celebrate with many exciting festivals throughout the year!

San Pedro Festival

On June 29, the town celebrates the San Pedro festival. During this time, a special gathering called a pilgrimage takes place in the Iberre neighborhood.

Santiago Day: Main Festival

The biggest festival in Gorliz happens around July 25, which is Santiago Day. The celebrations include a fun "Habaneras" festival, where people sing traditional songs, and Basque Poliphony, which features beautiful group singing.

Andra Mari Neighborhood Festivities

The Andra Mari neighborhood has its own special celebrations during the first weekend of August. They hold a traditional paella cooking contest, where everyone makes delicious rice dishes. There's also a pilgrimage on August 5 to honor the Virgin of Andra Mari de Aguirre and Las Nieves.

Urezarantza-Fano Neighborhood Fun

The Urezarantza-Fano neighborhood celebrates its festivities during the third weekend of August.

Immaculate Conception Fair

On December 8, which is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Gorliz hosts a Christmas fair. You can also find a contest for snails cooked in the "vizcaina" style, a local favorite!

Population Growth in Gorliz

Gorliz has grown quite a bit over the years. Here's a look at how many people have lived in the town:

See also

In Spanish: Górliz para niños