Car hire at Bilbao airport

What to see, do and visit in and around Bilbao with your hire car

Bilbao is a highly sought-after destination It is a city brimming with life and culture and is a popular destination for visitors. What's more, its charm and traditions will make you want to come back for more. Hiring a car in Bilbao is a great option if you are looking to explore the area and discover everything it has to offer. You can travel as and when you want around the city and its surrounding area to visit the main tourist spots nearby at your own pace.

Bilbao Airport

Bilbao Airport is one of the north of Spain's main entry points for tourists. It has connections with the main European countries as well as with the main Spanish airports such as Alicante, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, Madrid and Barcelona. It is located just 12 kilometres from the city, between Sondica and Lujua. There are two options to make your way into the city. The first option would be to take the N-633, then the BI-631 and continue along the N-637 towards Salbeko Zubia. Another option is to take the N-633 towards BI-631. Then take the BI-625 in Bilbao.

Car hire in Bilbao

Bilbao is a city brimming with life with a wide range of things to do at any time and in any neighbourhood. It also has natural green areas on the outskirts.

Bilbao is a city that is big enough for a car to come in handy to get around at your own pace. Get ready to enjoy its old quarter, its green areas, its cultural life and its gastronomy.

Discover Bilbao with your hire car

The main city in the Basque Country is an enclave that any type of traveller will enjoy. It is precisely this versatility that has turned Bilbao into an attractive destination for many tourists from Europe and and the rest of the world alike all year round. From here, we also recommend getting out of the city and enjoying the nearby places that can be reached by car.

What to see in Bilbao

The must-visits in Bilbao are the Guggenheim Museum, the Old Quarter, the Cathedral, the Church of San Antonio as well as its different squares. To begin with, the Museum is one of the most recognisable buildings in Spain sp many people go out of their way to check it out. The old quarter itself has lots of interesting and historic streets. The best way to enjoy this is to go on a guided tour or to ask locals what landmarks to check out.

On the other hand, it has religious buildings such as the Cathedral of the patron saint Santiago and the Church of San Antonio. These are little-known buildings, but they reflect the Gothic style that is typical of northern Spain. When it comes to squares, Plaza Nueva and Plaza de Unamuno are worth a visit. Both are perfect for strolling around, having a coffee and soaking up the vibe in this one-of-a-kind place. These squares have a similar structure to the traditional main squares of the Iberian Peninsula, but with their own personal touch.

Road trip around Bilbao and the surrounding area

A drive around Bilbao and the surrounding area is a perfect way to discover everything the region has to offer. You can drive to beaches such as Azkorri, Plentzia and Sopelana, just 30 minutes from the city and popular with surfers. You could also visit the Portugalete suspension bridge, next to Getxo. It's a cheap and fun activity, as is going up to the Artxanda Viewpoint, with breathtaking views of the city; get your camera ready. Enjoying the journey by car is easy with so many places to see in the region.

Different roadtrip options in the Basque Country, Northern Spain and Southern France

Renting a Centauro car at Bilbao airport gives you the possibility to set off on different road trips around the north of Spain and the south of France. The Basque Country is a region with its own language, Euskera, the origin of which is still leaving linguists scratching their heads. This makes for a very rich, interesting and diverse culture. This is evident in its main cities; Playa de la Concha in San Sebastián, one of the peninsula's most beautiful urban beaches; or Vitoria-Gasteitz, the region's administrative capital. There are dream-like spots, such as San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, immortalised in the hit series "Game of Thrones" as Dragonstone. Hondarribia and Elantxobe are not to be missed either.

From Bilbao you can head to other regions in the north of Spain that are worth visiting, such as Cantabria, Navarre and Burgos, or perhaps even cross the French border to the so-called "French Basque Country", the southern part of the neighbouring country that also shares the Basque culture and the Basque language, and where you can enjoy coastal paradises such as Hendaye, Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz, or charming inland villages such as Baiona, Espeleta and Ainhoa.

Gastronomy in Bilbao

You can savour its traditional pinchos, fish dishes such as cod in pil pil sauce, or steaks. Its gastronomic richness means that there are also vegetarian and vegan options such as piperrada.

Climate in Bilbao

The climate is Atlantic and cloudy, with quite a lot of rainfall and moderately moderate temperatures, although in summer it is cool and temperate.

Now you know everything you can do in Bilbao on your holidays. By hiring a car in Bilbao, you can take part in a wide range of activities and head to must-visit beaches and natural areas. Move around at your own pace to make the most of your trip to the Basque Country.