Bilbao Cruise Port Guide: Where Industry Meets Art
Bilbao is a city where industrial heritage meets modern creativity. Once known primarily for shipbuilding and steel production, the Basque city has reinvented itself into one of Spain’s most exciting cultural destinations.
Today Bilbao is famous for its striking architecture, world-class art and incredible Basque food scene. If your cruise itinerary includes Bilbao, you’ll likely only have one day to explore, but with a little planning you can still experience many of the city’s highlights.
In this guide, Team Five Travels shares how to get from the cruise port into the city, the best things to see and a few tips to help you make the most of your time in Bilbao.
If you’re researching cruise ports for future trips, you can also explore our Cruise Travel Hub, where we share cruise tips, port guides and planning advice for cruise travellers.
Team Five Travels original photo: Guggenheim Bilbao and the mist.
Getting From Bilbao Cruise Port to the City
Cruise ships visiting Bilbao usually dock in Getxo, around 20 minutes from Bilbao city centre.
There are several ways to reach the main attractions, depending on how you prefer to explore.
Cruise Shuttle Buses
The simplest option is the cruise shuttle bus, which usually runs between the cruise terminal and the city centre.
On our visit with Royal Caribbean the shuttle cost around £10 per person each way. While it’s convenient, it isn’t always the quickest or best-value option.
Walking to the Metro (Our Choice)
Instead, we chose to walk to the Metro station, which allowed us to see more of the local area and turned out to be just as quick as the shuttle. The walk from the cruise terminal to the Metro takes around 15–20 minutes.
The port itself is modern, clean and easy to navigate. As you leave the terminal you’ll notice:
a large “Welcome to Bilbao” photo spot
ticket desks for shuttle buses
clear walking routes towards town
Walking towards the Metro also gives you the chance to enjoy the Basque coastline and local architecture along the way.
Exploring ports independently like this can often give you much more flexibility during the day. If you’re considering doing this more often, our Exploring Cruise Ports guides share some helpful advice before your next sailing.
Team Five Travels original photo: Cruz Roja Bilbao en route towards the Metro station from the Cruise Terminal.
Using the Bilbao Metro
The Bilbao Metro is one of the easiest ways to reach the city centre from the cruise port. We travelled from Gobela Station in Getxo, to Moyua Station, located in central Bilbao.
Walking Route to the Metro
From the cruise terminal:
Walk along the port towards the roundabout
Turn right past the Bilbao Red Cross (Cruz Roja) building
Continue towards Zugatzarte Etorbidea
Cross the zebra crossing and head down Cervantes Kalea
The Metro entrance appears shortly on the left
The journey into the city centre took around 20 minutes. Tickets cost roughly £6 total for two adults and two children, making it an affordable and straightforward option.
The Metro system is easy to navigate, with:
multiple languages
clear ticket machines
accessibility features including voice-assisted ticket purchasing.
Arriving in Bilbao City Centre
When you exit the Metro at Moyua Station, you’ll find yourself in a large circular plaza in the heart of the city. From here it’s an easy walk towards the Nervión River and Bilbao’s most famous attraction.
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is the attraction that transformed the city’s international reputation. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the building opened in 1997 and quickly became one of the most recognisable modern museums in the world.
Even if you don’t go inside, the museum is well worth visiting simply to admire its striking architecture and the sculptures surrounding it.
Admission is typically around €13 for adults, while children under 18 enter free.
Iconic Sculptures Outside the Guggenheim
Several famous artworks can be seen outside the museum.
Puppy
One of the most photographed is Puppy, a giant floral sculpture created by American artist Jeff Koons. Covered in thousands of living flowers, it has become a symbol of the museum.
Team Five Travels original photo: Puppy Guggenheim Bilbao
Maman
Nearby stands Maman, a towering spider sculpture created by artist Louise Bourgeois. Standing nearly nine metres tall, it’s an impressive sight and another popular photo spot.
Guggenheim Mist Installation
Another unique feature is the mist installation surrounding the museum’s pond.
Created by artist Fujiko Nakaya, the mist appears regularly throughout the day and creates a surreal atmosphere around the building.
Take the Artxanda Funicular for the Best Views of Bilbao
For panoramic views across the city, head to the Funicular de Artxanda.
This short railway climbs 226 metres up Mount Artxanda, offering fantastic views over Bilbao and the surrounding mountains.
Finding the Funicular
From the Guggenheim, walk across the river using the Zubizuri Bridge, one of Bilbao’s most distinctive pedestrian bridges.
Once across the bridge:
cross the road
follow the signs towards the Funicular Station
It’s a straightforward walk and easy to find.
Funicular Tickets and Opening Times
The funicular runs roughly every 15 minutes.
Typical operating hours:
First journey: 07:15
Last journey: 22:00 (later in summer)
Ticket prices are very reasonable:
€4.30 for a round trip
Children under 6 travel free
At the top you’ll find gardens, viewpoints and restaurants, though most visitors come for the spectacular views across the city.
Team Five Travels Original Photo: View from the top - Funicular de Artxanda
Explore Bilbao’s Historic Old Town (Casco Viejo)
If time allows, it’s worth visiting Casco Viejo, Bilbao’s historic old quarter. Often referred to as the Seven Streets, this medieval district is packed with narrow streets, independent shops and lively pintxo bars.
Highlights in Casco Viejo
La Ribera Market
One of Europe’s largest covered markets, located beside the river and filled with local produce and Basque food stalls.
Santiago Cathedral
A beautiful 14th-century Gothic cathedral dedicated to Saint James, the patron saint of Bilbao.
Teatro Arriaga
A striking Neo-Baroque theatre built in 1890, named after composer Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga, sometimes called the “Spanish Mozart”.
Planning Your Bilbao Shore Excursions
If you prefer to organise activities before arriving in port, it can be worth booking tours in advance.
Popular options in Bilbao include:
guided city tours
Guggenheim Museum visits
Basque food and pintxo experiences
walking tours of Casco Viejo.
You can browse a range of tours and activities through Team Five Holidays, our travel planning service.
Bilbao in One Day: Final Thoughts
Bilbao is a city that surprises many cruise visitors. What was once an industrial powerhouse has evolved into a vibrant destination full of art, architecture and Basque culture.
While you won’t see everything in one visit, with a little planning you can still experience many of the highlights — from the iconic Guggenheim Museum to the views from Mount Artxanda.
And like many great cruise ports, Bilbao is the kind of place that often leaves visitors thinking about coming back for longer next time.
Happy cruising.