Car Hire Bilbao Airport

Bilbao Airport sits just 13km to the north of the city itself, and is close to the main motorways if you’re travelling elsewhere in the region. This is an area full of dramatic drives, with mountains and hills giving way to green valleys and glimpses of the sea.

Driving in Spain is on the right-hand side of the road, with overtaking on the left. Some Spanish motorways – or autopistas – are ‘tolled. Maximum speed limits on these are usually 120km/h, whereas the top speed in Spanish towns and cities is typically 50km/h, unless otherwise signed.

Drive west from Bilbao, taking the A-8, and you’ll be tracing the contours of the coast, past some breath-taking sights. There are numerous small towns and villages to stop in, while you’ll also cut through wonderful national parks – and then there’s Santander with its fine beaches.

In Bilbao, the Abando and Indautxu neighbourhoods are laid out on a grid, while the charming old town, called the Casco Viejo, is more of a jumble of streets, with some pedestrianised zones. There are however plenty of car parks here, so you can proceed on foot.

You can get your bearings on the Campo de Volantin Pasealekua, which runs along the east bank of the Nervion, from the town hall up to the Guggenheim. From here, you can cross the river via the impressive La Salve Zubia bridge.

Bilbao combines Basque traditions with cutting-edge attractions, and welcomes visitors with open arms.

The city sits in the middle of a valley, with forested hills providing a majestic backdrop, and the Bay of Biscay just down river. It has become a justly popular destination – not just for its iconic art gallery, but also for the charm of its old streets and shopping district.

The Seven Streets

Park up and explore Bilbao’s Old Quarter, Casco Viejo, on foot. It’s the best way to get lost in the side streets and narrow alleys and discover every nook and cranny this vibrant district has to offer.

Here, you’ll find the city’s oldest buildings, but also a get a real sense of Bilbao life – it’s where locals live, work and eat.

At its core you’ll find Las Siete Calles, the city’s iconic seven streets, dating back to the 15^th century. They still throng with life, as does Plaza Nueva. This is the place to taste pintxos, the Basque version of tapas. These are often wonderfully simple starter dishes with cod, anchovies, stuffed peppers and croquettes on bread.

Don’t load up in one place though. The done thing is to eat one or two with a drink in several different bars or restaurants, as each has its own speciality.

Make sure you try Victor Montes – which has great food and a highly photogenic look.

Gehry’s Guggenheim

The arrival of the Guggenheim Museum in 1997 helped transform Bilbao – and not just architecturally. Before, it was a major Basque city. After, it became an international destination.

Even if you’re not a fan of modern and contemporary art, the building itself wows. Frank Gehry’s design purposely echoes the city’s maritime history, while the external sculptures are also arresting.

Louise Bourgeois’ Maman is a spider-shaped Freudian masterpiece, while Jeff Koons’ less complex but infinitely popular Puppy is a vast dog in flower form, changing colours with the seasons.

Inside, you’ll find permanent installations plus a changing roster of exhibitions, shows, film screenings and more. It’s dazzling and thought-provoking in equal measure.

An alluring neighbour

Take full advantage of having a car at your disposal and head east to the streets of San Sebastian, just over an hour’s drive away.

Bilbao’s similarly scenic cousin boasts a trio of fabulous beaches – one made for surfers, the others more relaxing – and one of Spain’s best old towns.

Wander the Parte Vieja by day or night and, while you may encounter quaint churches and secretive dining societies, you’ll certainly be lured into the countless pintxo bars.

The array of Michelin-starred restaurants draws in plenty of visitors too. The three-starred Arzak is critically-acclaimed, but don’t miss Mugaritz, where incredibly inventive 20-course tasting menus are a joyful experience.

Here in the Basque country, food is king. And you can enjoy a range of culinary and cultural delights across the wider coast and countryside.

Make the most of your stay in this beautiful location with car hire at Bilbao Airport.