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Las Encartaciones, the westernmost part of the Historic Territory of Biscay, is made up of the following towns: Lanestosa, Karrantza, Turtzioz, Artzentales, Sopuerta, Galdames, Gordexola, Güeñes, Zalla and Balmaseda.

Together with them, the towns of Alonsotegi, Valle de Villaverde, Abanto-Zierbena, Muskiz and Ortuella form what has been called the geographic area of Las Encartaciones, in order to dynamize the whole area from the touristic, economic and cultural point of view.

The Museum of Las Encartaciones (the old Town Hall of Abellaneda) in Sopuerta is the starting point for any tourist who visits the area for the first time.This is the place where centuries ago the main representatives of the valleys and councils of Las Encartaciones used to get together in order to talk about common matters which concerned the region. Today we have the possibility to know about its rich and surprising history.

Encartaciones opens onto the sea passing through the town of Muskiz, which share with Zierbena “La Arena� beach, the ideal spot for taking the sun and practising water sports.

Muskiz has a rich heritage and apart from the Castle of Muñatones and the ironworks of Pobal, it offers us Itsaslur, a beautiful walk along the coast of the Bay of Biscay.

When paying a visit to Ortuella and Abanto-Zierbena, we will get surprised by its mining landscape. Mining has been the economic engine of the area for years. Nowadays, with all mines already closed, we can find out more about this activity at the Mining Museum of the Basque Country (Abanto-Zierbena), which shows us the mining heritage of the area and the hard life of a miner.

The Loizaga Tower testifies to a quite different reality. It is a faithful reflection of the noble families who during the Middle Ages fought in the local wars known as the Guerras de Bandos. Inside this real fortress, we can find a precious treasure:a Museum of Old and Classical Cars, one of the most important private collections in the world.

Not far from the Loizaga Tower, the Santa Maria Church in the town of Güeñes, with a splendid Gothic façade, shares the limelight with the Urrutia House, the present Town House. In its gardens, we can find ARENATZarte, a place dedicated to the avant-garde art, with sculpture exhibitions in the open air making one with nature and painting, photo exhibitions made in a special closed window pane building.

Alonsotegi offers visitors the possibility to enjoy long mountain walks over the Pagasarri mountain where they may see the iceboxes built in the 17th century to supply Bilbao.

In the historical old quarter of Balmaseda, the first borough of Biscay, one can enjoy its rich heritage which comprises the Church of San Severino, the Old Bridge, the Santa Clara Convent, the Buniel Palace, the Town Hall and the church of San Juan del Moral, which houses the History Museum of Balmaseda.A visit to the Boinas La Encartada Museum (an old beret factory) will take us back to the industrial revolution.

The westernmost point of the area is made up of large valleys which combine a rich history and heritage with enviable surroundings ideal for the tourists.A walk through these valleys makes one relive the customs which appeared to have been lost.

The Pozalagua Caves, with their abundant eccentric stalactites -a must for all visitors of the area- and the Karpin Abentura Park in Karrantza are two of the treasures of this valley.

The natural park of Armañon, situated between Karrantza and Turtzioz, is an example of the privileged natural surroundings found through the whole area.Here we may find countless opportunities to go hiking or ride a mountain bike.More than that, there are a lot of companies which will take care to make your stay special:horse-riding walks, karting, quad walks, an adventure park in the trees, a surf school, canoeing, paintball.

Finally, the town of Lanestosa, the smallest borough in the whole area of Biscay.Its narrow stoned streets shared by regal palaces of the 17th and 18th centuries and ordinary houses with its most outstanding feature, the beautifully flowered balconies, give the town an air of timelessness.

This is only the beginning of a great adventure, enriched with the human warmth, customs, gastronomy, legends of the place and, of course, the aid of an accommodation net and rural hotels, restaurants and active tourism companies which will make unforgettable your stay with us.