How to spend 3 days in Bilbao

Travel Itinerary

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Itinerary by: Michelle M

3 years ago

Traveller

Duration: 3 days

Itinerary Contents

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

Itinerary Introduction

Bilbao in northern Spain is a lush and rich city, 20mins by bus from the airport and with long distance but cheap coaches along the coast of Spain - to Santander and San Sebastian to name a few. It has the Guggenheim museum, a museum for art, beaches, a suspension bridge and fantastic array of eateries If you're also going to be visiting Santander on your trip to Northern Spain, you may also want to check out my Santander itinerary.

Bilbao - Travel Itinerary

Day 1

11:00 - 13:00

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao city centre

Abandoibarra Etorb., 2, 48009 Bilbo, Bizkaia, Spain

The Guggenheim museum, on the water as you enter Bilbao city from the 25minute airport journey is an amazing building. Even before stepping inside, it's fantastic to walk around the building which is an architectural feat in itself. Especially crossing over to the other side of the river bank and being lucky enough to catch the water fountain/fire display. Sunset is reflected wonderfully on the silver facade. You may need to book in advance and may have a day when there is free entry to the non special exhibition. Placed in the new town, close to the museum and next to a neighbour hood that is excellent for eateries, the area vicinity of the Guggenheim is wonderful.

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Article By: Michelle M

Getting there

Accessible by tram, bus and metro. If staying in the new town, easily walkable.

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao city centre

14:00 - 15:00

Dinámico Jado- The Dynamic Jado Burger restaurant

Colón de Larreátegui Kalea, 26, 48009 Bilbo, Bizkaia, Spain

Colón de Larreátegui is one street in the Abando district, a 8minute walk from the Guggenheim museum has many places to eat, drink and you'll see lots of locals eating Pinxtos, drinking and standing at the open front bars. This burger place is just one place to eat - it has very tasty meat which can be a an alternative to the incredible seafood/fish pinxtos. FYI A pincho, pintxo or pinchu is a small snack, typically eaten in bars with a glass of wine/cava/beer. Image Credits: Louis Hansel @shotsoflouis on unsplash.com

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Article By: Michelle M

Dinámico Jado- The Dynamic Jado Burger restaurant

17:00 - 18:30

The Artxanda Funicular railway high up overlooking Bilbao city and district

Carretera Artxanda-Santo Domingo Errepidea, 48015, Bizkaia, Spain

After visiting the Guggenheim museum, time your walk from there for before sunset from there across the water to the base station of the funicular railway that'll take you up to see some lovely sights.

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Article By: Michelle M

Notes

Time it to get to the top for sunset.

The Artxanda Funicular railway high up overlooking Bilbao city and district

Day 2

10:00 - 13:00

Playa de Bakio/Bakio beach, near to Game of Thrones

Bentalde Auzoa, 7, 48130 Bakio, Bizkaia, Spain

Whether you're visiting Game of Thrones Castle by bus (40mins from central Bilbao) or by car, there is a clean, fine sand and relatively empty beach nearby. Some eateries, but the beach is real attraction.

Article By: Michelle M

Playa de Bakio/Bakio beach, near to Game of Thrones

13:00 - 15:00

Gaztelugatxe - View/Visit Game of Thrones Castle

Gaztelugatxe, 48130 Gaztelugatxeko Doniene, Biscay, Spain

This castle was used in the Game of Thrones series. Though there are payable tickets to walk it, the steps are not for the fainthearted. I also heard that it gets quite busy along the narrow walk. Because I wanted to save time on the walk and more importantly, get some birds eye view photographs, I chose to follow the lesser known and short footpath to a great view point. It is reached by walking past the restaurant, Eneperi and passed its car park (not towards the ticket entrance for the steps) along the road, Gibelorratzagako San Pelaio Auzoa and you'll see a slightly trodden short path (pic 1) - the terrain is fine, (but wear trainers/flats) and don't let small children/pets run ahead of you as it does not have much in the way of barriers.

Article By: Michelle M

Gaztelugatxe - View/Visit Game of Thrones Castle

16:00 - 17:30

Las Cepas Ajuriaguerra Bar and Restaurant

Calle Juan Ajuriaguerra Kalea, 22, 48009 Bilbo, Bizkaia, Spain

A great bar and restaurant for lunch or dinner - 8mins walking from the Guggenheim.

Article By: Michelle M

Travel time

0 hours 8 minutes

Las Cepas Ajuriaguerra Bar and Restaurant

Day 3

11:00 - 12:00

Vizcaya Bridge - world's 1st people / traffic on a high suspended gondola

Vizcaya Bridge, Puente de Vizcaya Zubia, Getxo, Bizkaia, Spain

A 40min single journey on Bilbao's city metro, you can view the bridge from either side of the Estuary of Bilbao. I boarded at Moyua metro station in Bilbao city and got off at Lamiako station, walking along the Estuary. After enjoying the view of the bridge, I continued walking to Areeta metro to continue my journey to metro station Bidezabal and walk to beach/Playa Arrigunaga.

Article By: Michelle M

Vizcaya Bridge - world's 1st people / traffic on a high suspended gondola

12:00 - 16:00

Playa Arrigunaga- Beach Arrigunaga 25mins from Vizcaya Bridge

Arrigunaga, Spain

A nice clean and beautifully sandy beach beyond the Vizcaya suspension Bridge. Take the metro from Areeta stop to Bidezabal stop and walk the short distance.

Article By: Michelle M

Playa Arrigunaga- Beach Arrigunaga 25mins from Vizcaya Bridge

17:00 - 19:00