Budget Summer travel; Bilbao
Where is Bilbao?
Bilbao is located in the Basque region of Spain, the north of the country where mountains and nature meet sunny seaside days.
Make sure to get travel insurance before your summer trip to ensure security and peace of mind.
Why Bilbao?
Bilbao in the summer reaches temperatures of an average between 20-30 degrees meaning you don’t need to be in the scorching heat everyday but will enjoy the sun and warm.
Bilbao is full of culture and history, you will see not only Spanish being spoken and written but also their own Basque language too which they still teach in schools as they hold their culture with pride.
This city has lots to do with many bars and restaurants to keep you well fed with their traditional pintxos, smaller plates with lots of variations.
Bilbao’s train stations provide many options for day trips to get to the nearby beaches and other towns easily.
Walking through the city will offer so many sights, make sure not to miss anything as its bigger than you may think.
The cost
You will find flights to Bilbao for under £100 through the summer months making this a much more affordable travel destinations.
Whilst there the cost of your holiday will be much lower than going to Barcelona or Madrid and you will still feel the cities atmosphere surrounded by amazing natural locations.
Day trips
Whilst here you must take a day trip or an overnight stay to San Sebastian located on the coast of the Basque region and only an hour an a half on public transport from Bilbao.
The Times has named San Sebastian the food capital of Spain and strong contender in Europe. Fresh ingredients meets talented chefs to deliver top quality Spanish dishes.
San Sebastian also has a beach for sunbathing and admiring the coastline and at some beaches you will find the options for surf lessons.
To get a view of the Old town from above you can hike the paths of Monte Urgull for a breath-taking viewpoint from the 12th century Castillo de la Morta fortress.
Muséums
The Guggenheim museum which opened in 1997 filled with modern and contemporary art, the building itself will impress. The museum tickets can be purchased for a lower cost for children and students of any university.
Just outside the museum you will find the large flower dog, you have to see it to believe there are real flowers there.
Nearby Beaches
The nearest beaches are in Getxo which can be reached by train in about 30 minutes and a quick walk from the station. You can take part in surf lessons here or enjoy the long stretch of beach where many local travel to.
There are options for restaurants and bars close to the beach so you could spend a whole day here. Stay in Getxo to enjoy a beautiful sun set over the sea.
Mount Artxanda Viewpoint
The city seen from above.
You can wake up to the top of this viewpoint in the city or alternatively take the funicular which only costs a few Euros and will be an easier way to travel and still take in the sights.
