OK, so where is Bilbao?
Bilbao is located in the northern part of Spain, in the Gulf of Biscay. Bilbao is the capital of Bizkaia, one of the three provinces that constitute Euskadi, the Basque Country. Bilbao is about 4 hours driving from Madrid and 2 hours driving from Hendaya, in the French border. Bilbao is also connected with Portsmouth (UK) by a ferry line.
What's the weather like there?
The weather in Bilbao is wet oceanic, influenced by flow of warm air, with soft temperatures during the year. Rain is more frequent in spring and autumn, with mild winters and warm summers. The average temperature is 20º in summer and 8º in winter. Here you can find a 10 days prediction from the Weather Channel.
I'm at the airport, how do I get to the city?
Bilbao's airport is 20 minutes away from the city. You have at least three options for transport: (1) Rent a car, (2) Taxi, (3) Bus. Given that Bilbao is a small city with superb public transport, renting a car is not recommended unless your hotel is far from the city. A taxi ride costs about 20 to 25 euros and it takes 20 or 30 minutes, depending on the traffic. Buses depart every 30 minutes (at o'clock and half past) to the Plaza Moyua (Metro Moyua, see the map) and a single travel is about 1 euro.
I'm in the city, how do I get to my hotel?
Almost everything in Bilbao is within walking distance, but public transport is very good. Apart from the bus, you have other options. Visiting the Metro (subway), partially designed by the famous architect Norman Foster, is a must. It can also be very useful to get to the meeting site in a few minutes. The new tramway is another of the pillars for the the development and revitalisation of Bilbao as a modern city.
What if I want to spend some days in Bilbao?
If you are to spend some days in Bilbao, you can find many useful links in this page. From the old part to the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao offers lots of fun for the visitor. The impressive Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, founded in 1908, is still a reference for travellers. Don't forget to visit some of its famous restaurants and pubs. This is a city for walking slowly, for pleasure. Here you can find some good ideas. Take your time, and discover Bilbao.
... or in Bizkaia?
You can find in Bizkaia many different options to spend some days. Nature or history, museums or jazz concerts, Bizkaia offers first-class cultural attractions for all tastes. Our advise: plan your visit. Here you will find ideas for a 24 hours visit, 48 hours visit or for the whole week.
... or in the Basque Country?
Each valley, each fishing port, each of the summits in the Basque Country is yet another beautiful spot to be discovered. The savagely green beauty that is present in most of the territory, contrasts against the craggy and winding coastline, with the beautiful beaches and the picturesque fishing ports. We recommend you to visit the two other basque provinces: Gipuzkoa in the western coast, close to France and Alava in the inner region. But if anything characterises the Basque Country, it is its excellent cuisine and the quality of its restaurants, from the most sophisticated, to the most humble.