Once famous for its shipyards and chimney stacks, Bilbao is now best known as a tourist destination, offering lots of pleasant surprises to the visitor. Yes, yes there is the museum and while it is true to say that the brave decision to locate The Guggenheim here was the beginning of Bilbao’s renaissance and yes it is worth visiting Bilbao just to see this incredible building, the fact is, the city has a lot more to offer than just this amazing piece of modern architecture.
From the wonderful character of the old city (Casco Viejo) to the wide boulevards of the new part, from the historic university of Deusto to the teeming suburbs of Santxu, Bilbao is a delight of vibrant life, remarkable buildings, stunning bridges, lovely parks, quaint museums and much more. Ringed by glorious green hills, it’s in a stunning setting with the river Nervion running through it and makes an ideal location for a short break.
Bibao Airport Transfers
Along with the Guggenheim Museum and a fabulous new underground system, the ultra modern Bilbao Airport is another example of the modernisation the Basque capital has experienced in recent years.
It is one of the city's outstanding landmarks and the new terminal can handle up to four million passengers a year. This has helped attract a number of budget airline operators including Easy Jet and Air Berlin which firmly adds the Bilbao to the growing number of new city break locations in Europe.
Bilbao Airport is located 12 kilometres from the city centre in the city limits of Loiu.
The easiest way to get to the city centre is by taxi though the price is around 20 Euros each way. The taxi rank is immediately outside the arrivals area.
A cheaper option is the airport bus number 3247 which runs every 30 minutes from the airport to Gran Via 79, Plaza Moyua and Alameda Recalde 11 in the centre. It costs €1.50. Going to the airport the bus leaves Bilbao from the main bus station Termibus, at Bay 28 and costs €1,50. It leaves every 30 minutes. You can also pick it up outside the Carlton Hotel in Plaza Moyua.
Bilbao Weather
Located on the coast in the north of Spain the Bilbao weather tends to be quite wet with many rainy days. During the summer there tends to be less rain than in winter and the daytime temperatures can reach 25ºC.
Winter is colder but the temperatures seldom fall below 5ºC and there is almost never snow.
Surrounded by wonderful lush, green, rolling hills Bilbao is a beautiful city to visit especially if you are lucky enough to get some good weather.
BilbaoTransport
Getting around Bilbao is no problem thanks to its ultra modern transport system. It has a sparkling new Metro as clean, punctual and secure as any in the world and so easy to use.
It also boasts a tram and light rail system and has an extensive public bus service and a plethora of taxi ranks.
However, given its size, the great thing about Bilbao is that everywhere is walkable. You can easily walk to any place of interest.
If you need a break then stop at any of the hundreds of bars/cafes (does any city have more?). There you can enjoy some liquid refreshment and pinch which are local tapas, delicious, but not free, you pay for them. And if it all gets too much for you and you over indulge or are laden down with shopping then avail of any of the forms of transport mentioned above and get back to base easily.
Bilbao Metro System
Tickets are purchased from the machines only which are in Spanish and English and are very easy to use. They always work, always give change, they take coins or notes. They are operated by just touch screen. You purchase single or return tickets but if you think you will use it a few times then the credit ans (tickets for multi-use) are the best value. They come in 5, 10, 15 and 20 euros. Each time you use it the price is clocked up on the back so you always know how much credit you have left.
The trains and stations are spotless and very safe. The arrival times and destinations are clearly shown on the platforms. There are usually 2 exits from each station, it's useful if you know where you want to exit at but in most cases the two exits are never very far from each other above ground anyway.
Trains run from early morning to 11pm Sunday to Thursday. On Fridays they run until 2am (plans to make it all night ). On Saturdays they run 24 hours. In peak hours the trains come every few minutes, and off peak you will never wait more than 10 minutes and usually less.
The two lines are as follows:
Line one goes south to Extebarri and north to Plentzia.
Line two travels the same route until San Ignazio where it branches off to Sestao.
So Lines one and two will have Extebarri as their southern destination and Plentzia OR Sestao for the northern destination (see map below).
If you are just travelling around the centre then you can take either line for all stops north or south. If you want to go to the beach then head off to Plentzia, a very nice village and beach. Also Sopelana has some lovely beaches. More within the city, Areeta, Algorta and Gexto will also get you to the seaside.
Bilbao Tram Network
To complement the fine metro system the EuskoTran tram service is another major addition to the city's first class public transport system. Currently the system is only 4.4 km long with 12 stops between Basurto to Atxuri.
You'll see the trams running along the grass covered tracks as you walk along the riverside on your way to the Guggenheim. This is a good service for a sightseeing tour of the new Bilbao and on match days at San Mames when additional services are put on to transport fans to watch Athletic Bilbao football matches.
Other Bilbao Transport Information
- Buses cover all the city in an extensive network. You can use your metro ticket on these too.
- Taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced.
- All the usual car hires are located in the airport (Tel. 902 404704/944 869663).
- Bilbao is connected to most of the main train stations in Spain .
- For local journeys take the Eusko train from Axturi train station, serving Gernika, Bermeo, San Sebastian and other destinations (Tel: 902 543210).
- The main bus staion is Termibus, exit from the San Mames metro stop. Buses for all national and international routes (Tel: 944 395077).
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