DISCOVER BISCAY: WITHIN EASY REACH OF BILBAO

Trips from Santiago Apartments

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YOUR GATEWAY TO THE BASQUE COUNTRY

Thanks to Santiago Apartments’ strategic location, just a few minutes from two underground stations, from the Abando (train) and Bilbao Intermodal (bus & coach) station, you can directly reach the most fascinating destinations of the Basque Country and the Cantabrian Coast. Discover unique places and return to your apartment in the same day.

BASQUE COAST

The Bay of Biscay at its finest:

  • Getxo and Bizkaia Transporter Bridge

    20 minutes by the Metro underground (Linea 1).

    Bizkaia Transporter Bridge: UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only transporter bridge in service.

    Ereaga and Arrigunaga beaches: perfect spots to surf or relax next to the sea.

    Algorta Old Harbour: picturesque fishing district with first-class fish restaurants.

    Route of the Great Mansions: 19th-century stately architecture next to the sea.

    Santiago tip: take the underground from Moyúa (5 minutes from the apartment) direct to Areeta or Algorta.

SAN JUAN DE GAZTELUGATXE

  • 1 hour by bus from Bilbao Intermodal.

    The Game of Thrones hermitage: Filming location for Dragonstone in the famous series.

    241 magical steps: Ring the bell three times and make a wish

    Spectacular views: Dramatic cliffs and the wild Cantabrian Sea

    Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve: Pristine, protected nature

    Santiago’s tip: Take bus A3518 from Termibus (10 minutes on foot). Book your ticket online in high season

MUNDAKA AND BERMEO
  • 1.15 hours by coach.

    Mundaka: world surf capital with Europe’s longest left-breaking wave.

    Bermeo: quintessential fishing harbour with the most important tuna fleet of the Bay of Biscay.

    Fisherman’s Museum: living history of the Basque seafaring tradition.

    Santiago Tip: visit both towns in the same day as they are 10 minutes apart by bus.

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CHARMING CITIES NEAR TO BILBAO

DONOSTIA / SAN SEBASTIÁN

1.15 hours by direct coach / 2.30 hours by train.

• La Concha Beach: one of the world’s most beautiful urban bays.

• Parte Vieja [Old Quarter]: the greatest concentration of pintxo (tapas) bars per square metre.

• Mount Igueldo and Mount Urgull: unrivalled panoramic views.

• The Comb of the Wind: Chillida’s sculpture fused with the sea.

• Santiago tip: direct coach from Bilbao Intermodal every hour or train from Abando with magnificent views.

VITORIA – GASTEIZ

1.20 hours by coach.

• Medieval Quarter: the old town with its almond-shaped layout is one of the best preserved in Europe.

• Cathedral of Santa María: inspiration for Ken Follett’s ‘World Without End’.

• Green Belt: European Green Capital with parks surrounding the city.

• Artium Contemporary Art Museum: collection of Spanish and Basque art.

• Santiago tip: coaches every hour from Abando (8 minute walk from the apartment).

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ENCHANTING TOWNS CLOSE TO BILBAO

GERNIKA – LUMO

45 minutes by train (Euskotren).

• Assembly House and the Tree of Gernika: symbol of Basque freedoms.

• Peace Museum: history of the bombing and message of reconciliation.

• Park of the Peoples of Europe: sculptures by Chillida and Moore.

• Traditional market: every Monday and one of the most important in Bizkaia.

• Santiago tip: Euskotren from Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo (20 minutes from the apartments).

BALMASEDA

45 minutes by train (Suburban line C-2).

• Medieval old bridge: perfect snapshot of the Basque Middle Ages.

• La Encartada Beret Museum: only museum-factory of its kind in Europe.

• The Forges Route: industrial heritage in the heart of nature.

• Santiago tip: Hourly trains on the suburban rail service from Abando.

DURANGO

35 minutes by train (Euskotren).

• Old Quarter: perfectly conserved traditional Basque architecture.

• Basilica of Santa María de Uribarri: stunning Gothic portal.

• Urkiola Natural Park: access to Basque sacred mountains.

• Santiago tip: can be easily visited together with Gernika in the same day.

NATURE AND MOUNTAIN

Gorbeia Natural Park:

  • 1 hour by coach.

    • Mount Gorbeia: the highest peak in Bizkaia with its iconic cross.

    • Gujuli waterfall: 100 metres fall.

    • Otzarreta beech forest: magical forest with hundred-year-old beeches.

    • Santiago tip: coach from Bilbao Intermodal to Areatza, hiking for all levels.

Urdaibai – Biosphere Reserve:

  • 1 hour by coach

    • Oma Forest: art and nature in the Ibarrola painted forest.

    • Urdaibai salt-marshes: migratory bird watching.

    • Laga and Laida beaches: wild and unspoilt.

    • Santiago tip: A3523 from Bilbao Intermodal, for all the towns and villages in the reserve.

WINE AND CULINARY HERITAGE ROUTE

Txakolí de Bizkaia wine route:

  • 1 hour by car:

    • Getaria and Bakio: coastal towns surrounded by vineyards overlooking the sea.
    • Txakoli wineries: visits to family-run wineries and iconic produces with tastings overlooking the Bay of Biscay.
    • Local flavours: pairings with fish, tuna, gilda pintxos (olive, anchovy and pickled pepper on a stick), and Basque cuisine featuring local produce.
    • Santiago tip: coach from Bilbao to Bakio or Bermeo, or guided tours that include transport and visits to different wineries.

Rioja alavesa:

  • 1 hour by coach:
    • Laguardia: medieval walled charter city set among vineyards.
    • Century-old wineries: Marqués de Riscal (building designed by Frank Gehry), Ysios (Calatrava).
    • Tastings and pairings: unique wine experiences.
    • Santiage tip: train to Vitoria + bus to Laguardia, or organised tours from Bilbao.

FULL DAY EXPERIENCES.

COASTAL WAY OF ST. JAMES

Starting from the apartment:

• Bilbao-Portugalete section: 20 km along the river estuary, perfect introduction to the Way.

• Pilgrim’s credential: available from Santiago Cathedral (5 min).

• Hostels and stops: multiple rest points.

ROUTE OF THE THREE CHURCHES

Self-guided tour in public transport:

  • Shrine and basilica of Loyola (1:30 h.): birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
  • Shrine and Basilica of Arantzazu (2 h.): cutting-edge architecture in the mountains.
  • Santiago Cathedral, Bilbao: returning to the departure point.

TIPS TO GET AROUND BILBAO

Bilbao Intermodal

Get the best fares when you buy your tickets online.

Buy your ticket in advance if travelling on Friday afternoons/evenings.

Keep your luggage at the station free of charge if you return late.

By train

Suburban rail service for towns in Greater Bilbao.

Euskotren from the Casco Viejo (Old Quarter) for the coast and towns.

Transport cards

Barik: valid for all the means of transport in Bizkaia.

Bilbao Bizkaia Card: includes transport + museum entrance.

Available from the Moyua Metro station (5 min from the apartment).

Recommended apps

Euskotren: timetables in real time.

Bizkaibus: all the bus lines.

Metro Bilbao: map and timetables.

Book your perfect outing

The Santiago Apartments reception team will help you with:

Up-to-date timetables and maps.

Booking guided tours.

Personalised recommendations according to the season.

Picnic to take on your outings.

Your adventure in the Basque Country begins at Santiago Apartments.

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