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Before you go
Your trip to Bilbao.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Bilbao – Basque Country Destination País Basco
How to get there
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Aeropuerto de Bilbao (BIO) Loiu · 12 km
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Estación de Bilbao-Abando Indalecio Prieto 1 km
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Bilbao Intermodal 2 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Confirm before buying. Bilbao airport is 12 km away, with a bus to the center in about 20 minutes. From Madrid, the Alvia train takes around 5 hours to Abando Indalecio Prieto station, and buses take a similar time. Buses arrive at Bilbao Intermodal terminal.
How many days
Two days cover the Guggenheim, the Fine Arts Museum, the Casco Viejo and a walk along the ria. The third day is for the Puente de Vizcaya, in Portugalete, and San Juan de Gaztelugatxe on the coast.
When to go
From June to September the weather is usually more settled and mild. May and October have fewer people and pleasant temperatures. It rains at any time of year, more in winter. In August, the Aste Nagusia, the big week, typically fills the streets with festivities.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No. The center is walkable along the ria, and metro, tram and buses cover the city. The metro goes to Portugalete and the coast. For San Juan de Gaztelugatxe there are buses from Bermeo, but a car makes access easier.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Bilbao
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Morning
Guggenheim
Start at the Guggenheim when it opens, seeing first the Puppy flower sculpture at the entrance and the Maman spider by the ria.
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Afternoon
Casco Viejo
Walk along the ria to the Casco Viejo and have pintxos for lunch in the Plaza Nueva.
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Late afternoon
Siete Calles and Ribera
Stroll through the Siete Calles, go into the Santiago cathedral and see the Mercado de la Ribera.
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Evening
Illuminated ria
End of day on the ria bank, with the Guggenheim lit up, and dinner in the Casco Viejo.
2 days in Bilbao
Day 1
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Morning
Guggenheim
Guggenheim early, with time for the Richard Serra room on the ground floor.
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Afternoon
Museum of Fine Arts
Lunch in the Ensanche and an afternoon at the Museo de Bellas Artes, next to the Doña Casilda park.
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Late afternoon
Artxanda
Take the funicular up to monte Artxanda to see Bilbao from above in the late afternoon.
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Evening
Pintxos
Return to the Casco Viejo and do the pintxos route around Plaza Nueva.
Day 2
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Morning
Ribera and cathedral
Mercado de la Ribera in the morning and the Siete Calles, with the cathedral of Santiago.
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Afternoon
Begoña
Climb the stairs of the Calzada de Mallona or take the elevator up to the basílica de Begoña.
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Late afternoon
Puente de Vizcaya
Take the metro to Portugalete to cross the ria in the gondola of the Puente de Vizcaya.
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Evening
Azkuna Zentroa
On the way back, stop by the Azkuna Zentroa and have dinner in the Ensanche or in the Casco Viejo.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
How to get from Bilbao airport to the center?
The Bizkaibus A3247 bus links the airport to the center and to the Bilbao Intermodal terminal in about 20 minutes. Taxis are at the terminal exit.
Is the Guggenheim far from the Casco Viejo?
No. It's about 2 km along the ria's bank, around a 25-minute walk, or a few minutes by tram.
Can you visit San Sebastián on a day trip from Bilbao?
Yes. The bus takes about 1h20, with several departures per day. But San Sebastián is more worthwhile with an overnight stay because of the pintxos.
What is the Aste Nagusia?
Bilbao's big week, a festival that usually lasts nine days in August, with concerts, fireworks, booths along the ria's banks and the figure of Marijaia. Confirm the dates.
What to eat in Bilbao?
Pintxos in the Casco Viejo, bacalao al pil-pil and a la vizcaína, txangurro, which is crab, and Idiazabal cheese, with txakoli, a light white wine from the region.