Bilbao Cruise Port – sometimes marked in cruise itineraries as Getxo Cruise Port or Bilbao (Getxo) is an exciting port of call in Spain’s Basque Country. This is because the main Bilbao Cruise Port is actually situated in the beautiful coastal town of Getxo a delightful spot in its own right!
But fear not, I’ve got lots of tips on how to get from Bilbao Cruise Port to Bilbao City Centre and attractions like the famous Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Bilbao’s Old Town, where it’s absolutely Pintxos Paradise? Not sure what Pintxos are? Then read on to prepare for your gastronomic feast in Bilbao.
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Bilbao Cruise Port: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎 Smooth Sailing
Ready to take charge of your Bilbao adventure? Crafting your own DIY shore excursion from the Bilbao Cruise Port is smooth sailing 😎😎😎😎 because:
- Convenient Port Shuttle to Metro: OK, it’s not the most frequent port shuttle but it will get you to the closest metro station for a quick ride to Bilbao City Centre
- Efficient Metro System: DIY sightseeing to must-see attractions like the Guggenheim Museum, the vibrant La Roberta Market, the historic Old Town are easy as they’re all very close to a nearby metro station – more details below
- Walkable Old Town: Bilbao’s Old Town (and the immediate area around the Guggenheim Museum) are very walkable – just flat ground! And with a high concentration of Pintxo Bars in Old Town, you don’t need to walk far when you’re ready for lunch!
Bilbao Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need to Know
1. Bilbao Cruise Port Terminals
Bilbao Cruise Port is sometimes marketed as Getxo Cruise Port by some cruise lines, or Bilbao (Getxo) and it’s because the cruise terminals are in Getxo, an affluent suburb in the Greater Bilbao area.
Bilbao Cruise Port is about ~15 km (~9.5 miles) north of Bilbao’s city centre. By car or coach transfer, it takes about 20-25 minutes depending on traffic. By public transport (metro), it’s about 40-60 minutes, depending on how long you’ll need to wait for the next port shuttle
There are 3 potential berths that your ship can be docked at: Getxo 1 and Getxo 2 share a terminal building, while Getxo 3 has its own terminal building. See the terminal buildings and the port gates marked on my Bilbao Cruise Port map below.
(It doesn’t matter that much where your ship will dock – all berths are quite a walk to the metro station and I would recommend that you take the port shuttle, unless you’re a particularly keen walker. More on the port shuttle below.)
2. Bilbao Cruise Port: Useful Tidbits
- Currency: Euros
- Language: Basque and Spanish
- Official Tourism Websites: Bilbao Turismo
- Recommended Transport App: I prefer Citymapper but Google Maps works just fine!
- eSIM for roaming in Spain: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring independently. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout
Bilbao Cruise Port to City Centre: Your Transport Options
1. Port Shuttle + Metro
Expected Transfer Time: Expect the (a) Port Shuttle to Metro Station, then (b) Metro to Bilbao City Centre combo to take between 40-60 minutes one-way. It really depends on whether you time it right with the port shuttle.
If you’ve just missed a port shuttle and need to wait for the next one, the transfer time will be closer to an hour. The metro ride itself is only about 25 minutes. More detailed directions below.
(a) Bilbao Port Shuttle to Metro Station
The Bilbao Cruise Port Shuttle to easily get to Metro. Usually, the shuttle will stop at Areeta and Algorta metro stations. Both stations are on the same metro line (Line 1), so don’t sweat if you miss the stop and you have to get off on the other.
So long as you get yourself onto one of the three nearby metro stations in Getxo: Neguri, Algorta and Areeta, you’ll be fine. Neguri is the closest metro station to Bilbao Cruise Port but the shuttles usually stop at Algorta or Areeta. Here’s why:
- Algorta is home to the picturesque Puerto Viejo (Old Port), a historic fishing village area with narrow streets and colourful houses and more of an interest to cruisers.
- Areeta metro station is in the Las Arenas area and known for the iconic Bizkaia Bridge (Puente Colgante), a UNESCO World Heritage site that connects Getxo to Portugalete. Las Arenas also features the Paseo de las Grandes Villas (“Areetako Kaia” in Basque), a promenade with impressive mansions from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The port shuttle usually runs every 20 minutes.
(b) Metro Ride to City Centre
Catch the L1 metro line to Bilbao City Centre – see below on the various types of transport tickets. (L1 is the only line. Metro should be heading towards “Etxebarri”). Get off at Moyúa station for the Guggenheim Museum or Zazpikaleak / Casco Viejo metro station for Old Town.
2. Cruise Line Shuttle
Most cruise lines will operate return shuttles to Bilbao City Centre (ie. not to Getxo). It’s usually between €15 and US$20, depending on what currency is used onboard. If you’re on a “luxury” ship, it may be complimentary.
Most cruise lines will not operate a shuttle service to Getxo, so if you’d like to catch the metro yourself into Bilbao, take the port shuttle.
3. Walk + Metro
If you’re a keen walker, then you can walk to Neguri metro station. It’s about a 30-minute walk from all the Getxo cruise berths/terminals.
4. Taxis & Uber
Taxis are also available at Bilbao Cruise Port. Expect a ride to Bilbao City Centre, let’s say somewhere around the Guggenheim Museum to cost around €25-€30 and slightly more if you’re going to Old Town, depending on traffic. The ride should take about 20-30 minutes, again depending on traffic.
Uber works in Bilbao as well. Bolt, a ride-share app popular in some European countries, also works in Bilbao.
Public Transport Tickets in Bilbao
Depending on what you’d like to see in Bilbao, here’s the different type of public transport tickets that you may want to buy:
1. Return Metro Tickets
If you just want to ride the metro from one of the Getxo metro stations (e.g., Areeta or Algorta, after taking the shuttle from the cruise terminal) to Bilbao city centre, purchasing individual tickets is straightforward. You need a 2-zone ticket: €2.10 one-way.
2. The Barik Card + Top Up
If you’re looking to do a few rides, including going on the Artxanda Funicular, then rather than buying individual rides, I think it’s easier to buy a local stored value card called the “Barik Card” and top-up with credit. It will save multiple trips to the ticket machine, as well as potentially be cheaper.
A standard non-personalised Barik Card costs €3 to buy from a metro station ticket machine but you can only top up in €5 increments. But the best part is that if you’re a couple or a group, up to 10 people can pay for travel on the same card!
As the price of a two-zone ride drops to €0.58, €8 is definitely enough for one person and possibly for two people, depending on what you’re planning to do. Yes, public transport is cheap!
The Barik Card can be used to pay for all rides on the metro, buses, trams and the Artxanda Funicular. You can read more about the Barik Card here.
3. Bilbao Bizkaia Card for Tourists
There’s also a tourist Bizkaia Card and the 24-hour version is €10. It includes unlimited public transport but it’s for personal use only and non-transferable. Read more about the card here.
This tourist card aren’t really targeted to cruisers. It can only be bought from the Bilbao Tourist Info Centres in Bilbao itself. Hence it’s on the bottom of this list of options – you’ll still need to buy a one-way ticket to Bilbao to use the metro to get into Bilbao itself.
Where to Buy: Bilbao Tourist Information Centres – there’s two. One is close to the Guggenheim Museum. The other is close to Abando metro station.
Bilbao Cruise Port Map
- On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
- On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your Google Maps app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
- If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps
Bilbao Cruise Port: What to See & Do
1. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is THE building that triggered with a phenomenon known as the “Bilbao Effect“. Bilbao was an industrial port city in decline in the 1980s/90s, facing high unemployment and environment issues.
But the Frank Gerhy designed building triggered such international acclaim and curiosity about the then relatively unknown Spanish city that tourists started flocking to Bilbao, after the Guggenheim opened in 1997. The Guggenheim acted as a catalyst for further urban re-development, the cleanup of the Nervión River, and the creation of new public spaces, leading to the revitalisation of Bilbao.
Even if you’re not interested in the modern and contemporary art inside, do go to the Guggenheim and walk around the building. The Guggenheim has become the #1 symbol of Bilbao, so it’s a shame not to have some photos of this extraordinary building to say that you’ve visited Bilbao!
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: The Building
The building is a stunning example of deconstructionist architecture, a style known for its fragmented forms, and undulating, sculptural qualities.
The museum is most famous for its shimmering, curvilinear exterior, clad in approximately 33,000 thin titanium tiles. These are complemented by Spanish limestone and expansive glass curtain walls. The flowing, interconnected shapes evoke a ship from some angles.
The interior is just as dramatic, organised around a vast, light-filled central atrium that soars to over 50 metres (about 165 feet). Curved walkways, glass elevators, and staircases connect the various gallery spaces. The building itself is often described as a gigantic work of abstract sculpture.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: Iconic Outdoor Sculptures
These iconic outdoor sculptures located around the exterior of the museum are absolutely enormous! You’ll definitely spot these:
- “Puppy” by Jeff Koons (1992): Greeting visitors at the museum’s entrance is this enormous, 12.4-meter-tall West Highland Terrier sculpture, carpeted in tens of thousands of live flowering plants.
- “Maman” by Louise Bourgeois (1999): Standing on the riverside promenade behind the museum, “Maman” is a monumental bronze, stainless steel, and marble spider, nearly 9 meters tall.
- “Arcos Rojos / Arku Gorriak” by Daniel Buren (2007): The “Red Arch” is integrated into the nearby La Salve Bridge, which the museum dramatically incorporates into its design.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: Art Inside
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao collection focuses on Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Conceptual Art and Neo-Expressionism. Besides household names such as Andy Warhol, it also showcases Basque and Spanish artists, including Eduardo Chillida and Antoni Tàpies.
- How to Get There:
- Metro: Get off at Moyúa Station and use ““Ercilla-Guggenheim” and then it’s a 10-minute walk down
- Metro & Tram: To minimise walking, you can also get off at “San Mamés” metro station (2 stops before Moyúa, if you’re coming from Bilbao Cruise Port) and then change to the tram and get off at stop “Guggenheim“
- Opening Hours: Closed Mondays. 10am to 7pm Tuesday to Sunday.
- Tickets: €15 adults, €7.50 students with ID, free for kids under 18. All tickets include an audio guide. Get tickets on the official website
2. Casco Viejo (Old Town)
Casco Viejo is the original medieval nucleus of Bilbao. The name “Las Siete Calles” or “Zazpikaleak” (in Basque) refers to the first seven streets that formed the walled town in the 14th century. These streets, running parallel to the Nervión River, were the commercial and social hub of the burgeoning city.
While the defensive walls came down in the late 19th century as Bilbao expanded, the layout and much of the medieval charm of these streets remain. Over time, Casco Viejo grew to include other important areas like Plaza Nueva.
Most of the Old Town is pedestrianised, making it perfect for leisurely strolls. Casco Viejo is a prime destination for a “txikiteo” (pintxo crawl), with countless bars and modern gastropubs lining the streets – see more below on “Bilbao: What to Eat” section below.
What to See in Casco Viejo
If you’d like to have a wonder around Bilbao’s Old Town, here’s a few landmarks to keep an eye on – these are marked in my Bilbao Cruise Port map.
- Santiago Cathedral (Catedral de Santiago): Bilbao’s oldest church, dating back to the 14th century. Dedicated to St. James (Santiago), it’s an important stop for pilgrims on the northern route of the Camino de Santiago. Look for the scallop shell symbols, the emblem of St. James.
- Plaza Nueva (New Square): This grand, arcaded neoclassical square, built in the 19th century, is the social heart of Casco Viejo. It’s a fantastic place to enjoy pintxos at one of its many bars and restaurants, people-watch, or browse the Sunday flea market. See where to eat in Plaza Nueva below.
- Arriaga Theatre (Teatro Arriaga): Standing majestically at the entrance to Casco Viejo, near the Arenal Bridge, this beautiful neo-baroque opera house was built in 1890. It’s named after Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga, a Bilbao-born composer known as the “Spanish Mozart.”
- Basque Museum (Euskal Museoa Bilbao): Housed in a former Jesuit college in Plaza Unamuno, this museum is dedicated to Basque archaeology, ethnography, and history, offering insights into the region’s unique culture and heritage. If you’re interested in Basque culture, this is the museum for you!
- La Ribera Market – see below!
How to Get to Casco Viejo (Old Town)
From Bilbao Cruise Port: take Metro Line #1 from Neguri Metro Station to Zazpikaleak Casco Viejo station. Once you exit the metro station, you’ll be 2 minutes away from Plaza Nueva (New Square). You’ll need a 2-zone ticket to travel from Bilbao Cruise Port – see more details about transport above.
3. La Ribera Market
La Ribera Market (Mercado de la Ribera) sits in a spot on the bank of the Nervión River where trade and commerce in Bilbao has taken place since the 14th century. The current market building is a magnificent example of Art Deco architecture.
Designed by architect Pedro Ispizua, the interior is designed with large, open areas, with beautiful stained glass windows and classic Art Deco ornamentation and latticework. Most would not have heard of Ispizua; he’s best known for having trained Antoni Gaudí, the famous architect of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
La Ribera is huge! At around 10,000 square meters (~ 107,600 square feet), it is one of Europe’s largest covered markets. If you don’t have time to do a pintxo bar crawl, then come here and walk around instead.
There’s three floors – a fish market (Pescadería) on the ground floor, a meat market (Carnicería) on the first floor, with fresh fruits and vegetables on the second floor. For ready to eat goodies, your best bet is to head up to the “Gastro Bars” section on the first floor.
This food court is tourist friendly – most items have English labels. You can definitely “assemble” enough food from multiple stalls to do lunch here. I would say that prices are a bit higher than the Pintxo bars in Old Town.
- How to Get There:
- Walk via Old Town: La Ribera Market is less than 10-minute walk from Zazpikaleak Casco Viejo metro station. So if you’d like to do some sightseeing, just walk through Old Town on your way to the market
- Directly from Bilbao Cruise Port: Take the metro and get off at “San Mamés” metro station; change to the tram to “Ribera” station. The tram stop is right outside the market.
- Opening Hours:
- Traditional Market Stores: Closed on Sundays and public holidays. 8am to 2:30pm. On Tuesday to Friday, stalls are also open from 5pm to 8pm
- Gastrobars (Food Court): Open daily from 9am Monday to Saturday and from 11am on Sundays. Some stalls may have specific hours.
4. Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao
While the Guggenheim often steals the spotlight, Bilbao is home to another world-class art institution. If contemporary art isn’t your thing, then head to the Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao) instead.
The collection spans from the 13th century to the present day, with a special emphasis of Basque, Spanish and European Art. El Greco and Francisco de Goya feature prominently in the collection. The European collection range from Flemish artist Anthony van Dyck and Impressionist artists like Paul Gauguin.
- How to Get There: Less than 5 minutes walk from either the Guggenheim Museum or Moyua metro station.
- Opening Hours: Double-check hours here
- Summer Months: From 1 July to 15 Sept – open daily 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 3pm on Sundays
- Outside of Summer Months: Closed Tuesdays. Open 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday (excl. Tuesdays) and 10am to 3pm on Sundays.
- Tickets: It’s free entry!
5. Artxanda Funicular
For a great view of Bilbao and its surrounding areas, take a ride on the Artxanda Funicular (Funicular de Artxanda), up to Mount Artxanda. The funicular was first opened in 1915 – don’t worry, it’s been significantly renovated since and it’s now a very modern ride.
The classic red funicular cars climb a steep incline and you’ll be at the top in just a few minutes. From the Artxanda viewpoint (mirador) – just outside the upper funicular station – you can see the entire city of Bilbao, including the iconic Guggenheim Museum, the Casco Viejo (Old Town), and the Ensanche (New Town).
- Funicular Lower Station: It’s opposite the “Matiko” metro station – you can reach Matiko by catching the L3 metro line from Zazpikaleak Casco Viejo metro station – just 2 stops. You can also walk from the Guggenheim in about 10 minutes.
- Operating Hours: 7:15 am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, 8:15 am to 10pm on Sundays.
- Tickets: You can hop on for the cost of a normal public transport ride – see above on your options to pay for public transport tickets in Bilbao.
Bilbao Cruise Port: What to Eat
Bilbao is famous for its pintxos! Pintxos (pronounced “PEEN-chos”) are small, individual-sized portions of food, typically served on a slice of bread and often held together with a toothpick (the “pinto” or “spike” that gives them their name).
This unique Basque culinary tradition is quite different from the tapas cultures you might find further south in Malaga and Cadiz. So don’t miss a chance to sample Pintxos!
1. Popular Pintxos in Bilbao
While the variety of pintxos is vast, there’s a few iconic Bilbao classics that you’ll see on many Pintxo Bars:
- The Gilda: Often considered the original pintxo, this is a simple skewer of an anchovy, a spicy guindilla pepper, and one or more olives. Its salty, vinegary, and slightly spicy kick is the perfect appetite-whetter
- Txangurro Gratinado (Gratinated Spider Crab): A true Bilbao classic and a decadent treat! Baked spider crab meat with onion, tomato & brandy, served warm, sometimes in its own shell or as a creamy gratin on bread.
- Bacalao (Cod): Cod is a cornerstone of Basque cuisine and you’ll see different versions, such as “Buñuelos de Bacalao” (Fried cod fritters), “Bacalao al Pil Pil” (Cod cooked in olive oil and garlic) and “Bacalao a la Vizcaína” (Cod in a rich red sauce made with choricero peppers and onions)
- Jamón Ibérico: Slices of high-quality Iberian ham, served simply on bread, perhaps with a drizzle of olive oil or a smear of tomato.
- Mejillones Rellenos (Stuffed Mussels): Mussels filled with a savoury béchamel-based sauce with vegetables then breaded and fried.
Classic tapas such as Tortilla de Patatas (Spanish Omelette), Croquetas (Fried Croquettes) and Rabas (Fried Squid Rings) are also very popular!
2. What is a Pintxo Crawl?
The “Txikiteo” (Pintxo Crawl) is the most traditional way to enjoy pintxos. Most pinto bars, especially traditional ones, are designed for standing and eating at the bar. There may be a few tall tables or barrels with seats but “hop-on, hop-off” is the default etiquette.
So take advantage of this – it’s perfectly acceptable to have one or two pintxos and a small drink and then move on to another bar for more. But I wouldn’t linger around a busy Pintxo bar unless I plan on ordering more.
Alternatively, if you would rather have a traditional sit down lunch, head to one of the slightly more upscale pintxo bars I mention below.
Best Time To Do Pintxo Crawl
- Lunch Time: Most Pintxo bars I mention below will open from 12 noon (with some even earlier!). Locals eat lunch much later at around 2:30pm to 3:30pm, so the optimal time tends to be 12 noon to 1:30pm, unless you want to experience the busiest time for the vibe
- Late Afternoon: Most Pintxo bars in Bilbao don’t close between lunch and dinner. If your ship leaves port after 6pm, then you can also treat yourself to “afternoon tea” and have a few plates as snacks around 4-5pm. Locals tend to visit between 7pm – 9pm for their pre-dinner “Happy Hour”.
3. Best Pintxo Areas: Where to Go in Bilbao
(a) Casco Viejo (Old Town)
The Old Town is definitely pintxo paradise! There is a high concentration of pintxo bars if you’d like to walk around and see what catches your eye. Pintxo bars can be found along three areas in Old Town – see all these marked in my Bilbao Cruise Port map above :
- Plaza Nueva: Quite a few really famous spots here! Sorgínzulo, Gure Toki, Cafe Bar Bilbao are all top notch for a Pintxo bar experience with Victor Montes being more upscale, with more of a restaurant vibe. El Globo is famous for its txangurro gratinado (spider crab) and pintxos de foie – both are indulgent!
- The “Siete Calles” (Seven Streets): The original seven streets of Bilbao and the surrounding lanes are packed with traditional bars. I would just walk around the area and pick one with a good selection on the bar counter.
- Plaza Miguel de Unamuno: Bacaicoa (known for its “chorizo al infierno” or hot chorizo) and Baster (famous for stuffed mussels). Bacaicoa has a “pintxo sampler” to help you choose!
Most of these pintxo bars will have English menus for the hot plates. For the cold pintxos on the bar counter, just point!
Gluten Free? Then head to Ahoan in Plaza Nueva – marked on my Bilbao Cruise Port map. It’s not a dedicated GF restaurant but there IS a separate GF menu. The owner is a celiac and certainly understands what precautions are required to make GF food. The other GF option is Irrintzi, about 5 minutes walk from Plaza Nueva.
(b) Ensanche (New Town / Abando District)
The more modern part of Bilbao also boasts fantastic pintxo bars, often with a slightly more contemporary feel. Get off at Abando metro station and explore the surrounding streets:
- Calle Diputación: The same El Globo in Plaza Nueva has a second branch here.
- Calle García Rivero: Love cheese? Then head to Gaztandegi. El Puertito is a nearby fresh oyster bar.
(c) La Ribera Market
La Ribera Market (Mercado de la Ribera) are also full of food stalls and pintxo bars. See more above La Ribera Market above.
Featured Photo by Руслан Кальницкий
Up till now, Bilbao Cruise Port was one of the most searched guides on DIYCruisePorts.com. So I’ve prioritised my blog post writing schedule to get Bilbao published!
If you’re visiting Bilbao soon, I hope that I’ve given you lots of ideas on what to see and do in Bilbao, as well as recommendations to fill your tummies with delicious Pintxos and Basque cuisine. Happy cruising, as always!
