Bilbao
Welcome to the north of Spain, and welcome to the vibrant, green, and architecturally stunning city of Bilbao!
When most people picture a cruise to Spain, they often imagine the sun-baked, dusty landscapes of the southern Mediterranean coast. However, docking in the Basque Country offers an entirely different, wonderfully refreshing experience. The landscape is incredibly lush and green, the architecture is world-class, and the culture is distinctly unique.
As cruise tourists who have spent a fantastic day exploring this northern gem, we want to share our ultimate guide to making the absolute most of your time in port. From the modern marvel of the Guggenheim to the charming, winding streets of the old quarter, here is everything a cruise passenger needs to know about visiting Bilbao.
Docking in Getxo: The Gateway to Bilbao
First things first: let's talk logistics. When your cruise ship schedules a stop at "Bilbao," you won’t actually drop anchor right next to the city center. Instead, ships dock at the Getxo Cruise Terminal, located in the picturesque coastal town of Getxo, roughly 15 kilometers (about 9.3 miles) from downtown Bilbao.
The Getxo terminal itself is modern, bright, and very well-equipped, featuring tourist information desks and excellent facilities. If you have plenty of time, Getxo itself is lovely, boasting a beautiful marina, beaches, and historic mansions. However, if it’s your first time in the region, the city of Bilbao is the main event.
Getting from the Ship to the City Center
Fortunately, getting into the heart of the city is incredibly straightforward and excellent value. The port authority generally provides a complimentary shuttle bus service for cruise passengers.
The coach ride from the port in Getxo into the center of Bilbao takes around 25 to 30 minutes. It's a very scenic drive, and we were immediately struck by how beautifully green and mountainous the landscape is compared to southern Spain. The shuttle drops passengers off right in the absolute center of the action, making it incredibly convenient for independent exploration. The drop-off area is exceptionally well signposted for cruise passengers, which is a massive plus when you are trying to navigate your way back later in the day
Stop 1: The Iconic Guggenheim Museum
The shuttle bus drops you a mere two-to-five-minute walk from Bilbao’s crowning jewel: the Guggenheim Museum.
Even if you aren't planning to buy a ticket to look at the contemporary art inside, visiting the exterior of the museum is an absolute must-do for any cruise tourist. Opened in October 1997, this curvy, titanium-clad building designed by architect Frank Gehry completely transformed Bilbao from an industrial port into a global cultural hub. The way the light reflects off the shimmering panels—which are designed to look almost like fish scales—is an amazing spectacle.
The Larger-Than-Life Outdoor Sculptures
You can easily spend an hour just wandering around the outside of the museum admiring the massive art installations that surround it. Two sculptures, in particular, steal the show:
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"Puppy" by Jeff Koons: Located right at the main entrance, this is a monster of a puppy! Standing at over 12 meters high, this giant canine sculpture is completely covered in living greenery and flowers. The flowers change with the seasons, and when we visited, we could see the groundskeepers carefully replanting sections. It is a surreal, beautiful, and utterly cheerful sight.
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"Maman" by Louise Bourgeois: On the river's edge stands a stark contrast to the cuddly puppy—a terrifyingly magnificent, 9-meter-high metal tarantula. Made of stainless steel and marble, walking underneath this massive spider is the stuff of nightmares for arachnophobes, but an incredible photo opportunity for everyone else.
You can also take a walk directly underneath sections of the Guggenheim alongside the river, where you'll find striking art installations rising up the walls, giving you a unique vantage point straight up into the heart of the structure.
Navigating Like a Local: The Bilbao Tramway
After marveling at the Guggenheim, you might want to head towards the historical heart of the city. While it is a beautiful, scenic walk along the riverfront promenade, if you are short on time or want to save your legs, we highly recommend jumping on the Bilbao Tram (Euskotren Tranbia).
The tram line runs directly past the Guggenheim, and the route maps at the stops are incredibly easy to read. Comprising a single 7.8-kilometer line that first opened in December 2002, the green-and-white trams run quietly adjacent to the river, offering spectacular views of the city’s modern waterfront.
Buying a return ticket at the platform machine is quick, straightforward, and represents fantastic value. Taking the tram not only saves you a long walk, but it also gives you a wonderful window into local life as you sit back and watch the residents go about their day-to-day business.
Exploring Casco Viejo (The Old Town)
Hop off the tram at the edge of Casco Viejo, which is Bilbao’s medieval old town. Also known as Las Siete Calles (The Seven Streets), this area is a complete contrast to the ultra-modern architecture of the Guggenheim district.
The Old Town is a pedestrianized maze of narrow, winding streets packed with traditional Spanish and Basque architecture, beautifully adorned balconies, and a wonderfully lively atmosphere. It features a dynamic mixture of generations-old heritage stores, trendy boutiques, and endless hospitality establishments.
Coffee and Pintxos at Plaza Nueva
In classic Tom and Dom style, our first priority upon entering the Old Town was to find a spot to grab a coffee and soak up the sun. We headed straight for Plaza Nueva, which sits right in the heart of Casco Viejo.
Built in the 19th century, this magnificent square is completely enclosed on all four sides by ornate arcades and elegant, stately buildings. The plaza is absolutely teeming with open-air cafes, coffee shops, and traditional tavernas. It’s the perfect place to sit outside, enjoy a coffee, and watch the world go by.
If you visit closer to lunchtime, Plaza Nueva is world-famous for its pintxos (the Basque Country's answer to tapas). Rows of delicious, bite-sized culinary creations are laid out across the bars here, offering incredible flavor and excellent value for a authentic local lunch.
A Scenic Walk Back: Historic Bridges and Rail Terminals
When it's time to slowly make your way back toward the modern center, we recommend exploring on foot to appreciate how Bilbao seamlessly bridges the old with the new.
Walking out of the old town, you'll cross over one of the city's grand, expansive bridges spanning the Nervión River. The view from the center of these bridges is beautiful, offering a great vantage point of the contrasting architectural styles lining the riverbanks.
Just on the left-hand side after crossing the river, make sure to look out for the old train station (Estación de Concordia). The exterior boasts stunning, intricate Art Nouveau architecture dating back to the early 20th century. It is well worth pausing for a few minutes just to admire the gorgeous glass and ironwork façade.
Shopping and Modern Squares: Plaza Circular to Plaza Moyúa
From the old train station, you will find yourself heading up the main shopping street of the city, which runs through the bustling Abando district.
Retail Therapy
The main shopping avenue is incredibly long and lined with multiple high-end fashion retailers, international department stores, and well-known brands. If you need to pick up any travel essentials, we even stumbled across a massive Primark right near Plaza Circular. Thanks to favorable currency exchange rates, we found shopping here to be extraordinarily good value compared to back home, making it a fun stop to pick up a few holiday bargains!
Plaza Moyúa (Elliptic Square)
Continuing down this grand shopping boulevard, you will eventually arrive at Plaza Moyúa, also known as the Elliptic Square. Located right in the center of Bilbao's modern extension, this public square was beautifully refurbished in the 1940s to its current form.
At the center sits a majestic monument fountain surrounded by meticulously manicured gardens landscaped in classic French and English styles. It is a very grand, bustling focal point of the city and serves as a great landmark to help you stay oriented.
Crucial Cruise Return Tips: Beating the Shuttle Bus Queues
As your time in port draws to a close, you’ll head back to the designated shuttle bus pickup point, which is located just a short walk from Plaza Moyúa.
⚠️ Tom & Dom’s Top Tip for the Return Journey
While the morning transit into the city is usually seamless, the afternoon return can get a bit chaotic, particularly if there is more than one cruise ship docked in Getxo that day.
When we made our way back to the coaches, we were greeted by massive lines. Because multiple cruise lines use the exact same downtown departure point, different shuttle buses were pulling up at the same time. The buses weren’t always labeled clearly, there were multiple overlapping lines, and it eventually became a bit of a free-for-all scramble to board the correct coach.
To ensure you don't get stressed or risk missing your ship's all-aboard time, we highly recommend heading back to the shuttle stop at least an hour earlier than you think you need to. This gives you plenty of breathing room to navigate the queues and ensures a relaxed half-hour drive back to the Getxo pier.
Final Thoughts: Is Bilbao a Good Value Cruise Port?
Absolutely! Bilbao is a phenomenal cruise destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you are an art lover, a history buff, a shopping enthusiast, or a foodie looking to indulge in world-class Basque cuisine, it delivers in spades.
Because the port provides an efficient, complimentary shuttle service and the city boasts a cheap, highly efficient tram system, it is an incredibly easy city to explore independently without the need to purchase expensive ship-sponsored excursions. Overall, we rate Bilbao as an exceptional value port of call that shouldn’t be missed.
Have you visited Bilbao on a cruise? What was your favorite sculpture outside the Guggenheim? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to like and subscribe for more cruise port guides from Tom and Dom Travel!
Author: Tom and Dom Travel
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Watch our Adventure in Bilbao!
We are ANNOYED by Lido deck Disruption. SKY Princess
These are some of the highlights from Day 4 and our second port of Bilbao, Spain. This was our first time visiting Bilbao and we went ashore independently.