Getting around Bilbao

Public transport

Part of the charm of Bilbao is that it's easy to get around the centre of the city on foot. It also has an excellent public transport system with a good bus network in addition to the metro and tram. Bilbobús (+34 94 479 0981; www.bilbao.net/bilbobus) routes cover all the districts in Bilbao with more than 30 lines. There are also night buses.

Metro Bilbao (www.metrobilbao.net), with its stylish fosterito stations designed by Sir Norman Foster, has two lines. Line 1 (Etxebarri-Plentzia) links Bilbao stations to the right-bank districts, while Line 2 (Basauri-Kabiezes) connects Bilbao stations to the left-bank districts.

Tram lines, run by Euskotren (tel: +34 902 543 210; www.euskotren.eus), have been gradually extended to cover an area linking Atxuri to Basurto. There is a central stretch across the district of Abandoibarra, with stops by some of Bilbao's architectural landmarks, such as the Arriaga Theatre, the Guggenheim Museum and the Euskalduna Palace.

Day passes are available for the tram and metro. You can also buy a reusable Barik smartcards.

Taxis

Taxi drivers in Bilbao, as in the rest of the peninsula, don't expect a tip but they will certainly appreciate one. Reliable companies include TeleTaxi Bilbao (tel: +34 94 410 2121), Radio Taxi Bilbao (tel: +34 94 444 8888) and Radio Taxi Nervion (tel: +34 94 426 9026).

Driving

Driving around Bilbao is as easy as any city in Spain. Expect pushy driving, but decent roads. The layout of the city is quite complicated but well signposted, and the Old Town is a pedestrian zone. There are underground car parks throughout the city, and pay-and-display street parking, but watch out for residents-only zones.

Car hire

The minimum age to hire a car in Spain is 18. Drivers should always carry their licence and, if applicable, their rental documents. Car hire in Bilbao is available from Avis (tel: +34 902 101 780; www.avis.com), Europcar (tel: +34 902 105 055 (airport); www.europcar.com) and Hertz (tel: +34 94 415 3677; www.hertz.com).

Bicycle hire

You can hire bicycles and scooters from Alquimoto, Calle Jon Arróspide 14 (tel: +34 94 401 2563; www.alquimoto.com). Tourne (tel: +34 944 249 405; http://tournebilbao.com) also hire bicycles and offer tours.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Iturrienea Ostatua

Iturrienea Ostatua is a pension in Bilbao's Old Town that's chock-a-block with colour and character. It has restored antique furniture throughout and great attention to detail has been paid to the decoration of the 21 bedrooms. The lovely exposed stone walls and oak beams give this place its charm and all in all, it represents very good value. In decent weather, breakfast can be served in the garden.

Miró Hotel Bilbao

Devised by famous fashion couturier, Antonio Miró, this modern boutique hotel combines functional design and personalised service to great effect. It's a tasteful establishment with great views of Bilbao, and it offers guests access to its spas and gym on a complimentary basis. There are 50 minimalistic rooms to pick from and many come with views of the Guggenheim. All, though, have large TVs, colossal beds and chic marble bathrooms.

Zabalburu

This budget offering is clean and comfortable and offers a good buffet breakfast. Situated in a fairly central location, in downtown Bilbao, there are a slew of funky rooms to choose from, all of which have been decorated to represent a different building in the city. Most points of interest are within walking distance and the hotel itself runs a photography tour of Bilbao. Other extras include bicycle rental, ironing and laundry services, TVs in rooms, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour bar. It also has a secure garage for those travelling with vehicles.

Hotel Ilunion Bilbao

One of Bilbao's 3-star hotels located in the shopping and business district, the Hotel Ilunion provides comfortable, well-equipped rooms and an outstanding buffet breakfast with everything you could possibly want. There's also a cafe and a restaurant serving local cuisine, and it's in a good location for the new town and within walking distance of the old town.

Hotel Petit Palace Arana

Bilbao's Hotel Petit Palace Arana has a great location opposite the Arriaga Theatre, between the Old Town and the Ensanche, the modern city centre. It is housed in a converted 19th-century warehouse with a balcony of wood and crystal which contrasts with the ultramodern interior design and high-tech amenities. The double rooms have everything you'll need for a relaxing stay from super king-sized beds to hydro massage showers.

Hotel Bilbao Jardines

This pleasant, comfortable and reasonably priced 2-star hotel is located in the heart of the historical centre of Bilbao, next to the cathedral and the Arriaga Theatre. It offers good service, spectacularly clean rooms and a very relaxed ambience, so the dated quilts and covers can be easily overlooked. What's more, most rooms come with a bath and shower and have decent sized TVs. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.

Introducing Bilbao

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