Car Rental Bilbao Airport

After arriving into Bilbao Airport, the allure of Bilbao awaits. Simply venture south via the Artxanda tunnels to emerge into the heart of things, which should take only 20 minutes.

Bilbao is a colourful patchwork of unique neighbourhoods, including bright Ibaiondo, historic Casco Viejo and futuristic Abando. Abando is situated just south of Deusto, where the Estuary of Bilbao curves east by Euskalduna Zubia bridge and the Maritime Museum. In this district, you’ll find the famed Guggenheim Museum.

From here, a network of central one-way streets is connected at Euskadi Plaza and Plaza Moyua. Cross the river into the Old Town, where many historic attractions await. If you wish to explore on foot, parking is available at various large lots and garages close to the main sights.

On the city’s outskirts, you’ll find a series of open highways that provide an easy way to skirt through the suburbs towards the San Mames Stadium and the hills above the city.

These uplands are a popular place for camping and hiking. In the summer, the slopes near the Mirador Arraiz viewpoint are even transformed into a lively open-air music festival venue. To get here, join the N-637 near Bilbao Airport, then exit the A-8 to the west before winding up the Kobeta road.

Of course, the Basque Country is more than just this vibrant city. And renting a car from Bilbao Airport allows you to begin a vacation touring rural villages, soak up coastal beauty at San Sebastian or cross over to Santander in Cantabria. The A-8 and AP-8 roads provide a convenient route across the northern coast, while the best way to experience the central Basque Country is on winding rural roads.

The maximum speed limits on major Spanish highways are typically 120km/h, dropping to 100km/h on other dual lane roads. Many rural roads are 90km/h, and in and around towns and cities the speed limit is generally 50km/h unless otherwise signed.

Spain is a magnificent country, but Bilbao speaks a unique language and steps to its own beat. This means the art, culture and food are all truly spectacular – and special.

When you rent a car at Bilbao Airport, you’ll be free to explore all the Basque Country highlights, from the city to the coast.

Plazas and pintxos

Bilbao is a great city to explore, with a spider’s web of city squares lined with quaint shops, cafes and bistros. While you’re in town, it makes sense to sample the local cuisine.

Pintxos is the definitive Basque Country dish – or rather, dishes. The Basque answer to tapas is a collection of fragrant meat, seafood and cheese toppings served on fresh bread. As you wander between traditional Bilbao bars, look out for a familiar row of cocktail sticks on the countertop.

Continue the exploration by heading to Dona Casilda Park, tucked between the plazas. There is an old-fashioned carousel, an outdoor theatre and an incredible fountain.

Artistic escapades

Bilbao has an artistic soul – and nowhere is this more evident than at the flagship Guggenheim Museum. This futuristic sculpture of a building is an unmissable attraction, designed by Frank Gehry and jaw-dropping to behold inside and out.

From the atrium to the 24,000 square metres of exhibition space, everything is perfectly engineered to showcase the art here in the best possible light. There are even a handful of open-air icons: Jeff Koons’ floral ‘Puppy’ and a nine-metre-high spider created by Louise Bourgeois.

The art scene extends beyond the Guggenheim, though. The Museum of Fine Arts takes a ‘glocal’ approach, showcasing the best Basque art alongside masterpieces from the likes of British figurative painter Francis Bacon.

Discover historic Bilbao 

The Old Town is just as impressive as the metallic beauty of the Guggenheim. Wander through Casco Viejo to experience endless charm complete with many layers of architecture and quaint, traditional stores.

The Seven Streets lie at the heart of historic Bilbao. These are the city’s oldest quarters, where shops and cafes have stood for many centuries. Head north to find some of Bilbao’s best theatres. At Teatro Arriaga, a Parisian-inspired Neo-Baroque cultural hub, you can see classical music shows or enjoy a night at the opera.

To step back even further in time, try the Archaeological Museum for size. Since 2008, this attraction has helped to connect the city’s present with its historical buildings and prehistoric roots. You’ll be able to see the latest findings from Basque Country excavations and learn about ancient life.

San Sebastian and the luscious coastline 

The nearby coastline is rugged and beautiful – the perfect backdrop for a road trip. The bright lights and bustling beaches of San Sebastian have their place, but tiny coastal gems like the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe islet are also worth a visit.

San Sebastian’s San Telmo Museum is a great place to learn more about Basque culture, meanwhile, from the language to photography and local traditions.

Renting a car from Bilbao Airport is the best way to experience everything the Basque Country and northern Spain has to offer. Reserve direct today.