City Information
Essential Information about the city
Passport/Visa
Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Spain, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African, or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.
Bilbao Airport (BIO)
Bilbao Airport (BIO) is located approximately 12 km north of Bilbao city centre, with a journey time of around 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. The Bizkaibus A3247 is the primary public transport option connecting the airport to the city. This bus line operates daily, with departures from the airport every 15 minutes during summer and every 20 minutes during winter. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also available outside the arrivals hall.
Best Time to Visit
The Basque Country can get chilly and rainy during the winter, so the best time for visiting Bilbao is during the summer months. To avoid the bulk of tourist masses, plan your trip for late April / May or from September to early October, when temperatures are still pleasant and outdoor activities can still be enjoyed.
Public Transport
Public transport in Bilbao is reliable, well-integrated, and a great option for visitors. The city is served by Metro Bilbao, the Bilbao tram (Bilbao Tranvía), Bilbobus (city buses), Bizkaibus (regional buses), and commuter rail lines operated by Euskotren and Renfe. The metro is especially handy for travellers, linking central stops like Casco Viejo, Moyua, and San Mamés with neighbourhoods, suburbs, and even coastal towns such as Plentzia. The tram runs through the city centre, connecting the Guggenheim Museum, Abando station, and the Old Town, while buses fill in the gaps with extensive coverage across Bilbao and the surrounding area. For visitors, the Barik card is a convenient rechargeable smartcard valid on most forms of transport in Bizkaia. An alternative is the Bilbao Bizkaia Card, a tourist pass available for 24, 48, or 72 hours that includes unlimited public transport plus discounts and fast-track entry at several attractions.
Taxi
Taxis in Bilbao are easy to find and can be hailed on the street or picked up at taxi ranks across the city. They are white with a red stripe on the doors. In addition to traditional taxis, ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Cabify operate in the city, providing a convenient alternative for getting around.
Post
In Bilbao, post offices (Correos or Posta) generally open from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Friday, with some branches reopening in the afternoon and a few opening on Saturday mornings. The main post office is on Urkixo Zumarkalea 19, a central spot that’s easy to reach and offers longer hours, usually until 8:30 pm on weekdays. Post offices provide standard services such as sending letters and parcels within Spain and abroad, purchasing stamps, and using express delivery services like Correos Exprés. They also sell packaging materials and prepaid envelopes, handle money orders, and offer bill payments. For quick posting, you can drop letters in the yellow mailboxes you’ll see around the city.
Pharmacy
In Bilbao, most pharmacies are independent rather than part of large chains. Two reliable options are Farmacia Garmendia Purroy at Fika Kalea 65 and Farmacia Ruiz Sarasola at Santo Rosario 1. Both offer a full range of pharmaceutical services and are easily identifiable by the green cross outside.
Telephone
Country code: +34 Area code for landlines: 94
Electricity
Spain’s power grid runs at 230 volts and 50 Hz, and the sockets accept Type F (Schuko) and Type C (Europlug) plugs, both with two round prongs.
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