You’ll find the city of Bilbao on the north coast of Spain, midway between Santander and San Sebastian. It stands on the estuary of the River Nervión, eight miles from the coast. If you rent a car at Bilbao Airport, you’ll find that it is about six miles north of the city centre. The new terminal building is a matter of some local pride. It’s nicknamed ‘The Dove’ and is the work of acclaimed local architect Santiago Calatrava. The road connections are good. From the terminal you’ll be able to drive quickly to the roads which link to all parts of the city.
If you hire a car at Bilbao Airport you’ll see it stands in the small town of Loiu. It’s only a few minutes drive from here into the city itself. You’ll find Bilbao spread across both sides of an estuary, framed by two small mountain ranges. The number one site in the city is the Guggenheim Museum, a futuristic shiny metal and glass shape housing a modern art gallery. American Frank Gehry’s structure has become the iconic image of Bilbao. Elsewhere look for more historic attractions – there are ancient landmarks dotted throughout the city, including the churches of the Old Quarter and the 19th-century grandeur of the Plaza Nueva.
