Car hire in Bilbao
1 office in Bilbao · airport pick-up · Spain
Bilbao has gone from industrial estuary to the cultural capital of the north: the Guggenheim transformed the city, the Old Town serves up the finest pintxos, and Norman Foster's metro links it to the beaches on the right bank. It is the natural gateway to the Basque Country and the entire Cantabrian coast.
Its airport, La Paloma, handles most of the Basque Country's international flights — and that's exactly where the pick-up point is. The city itself is best enjoyed on foot and by metro, but the Biscay coast — San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, Lekeitio — and escapes to San Sebastián or Rioja Alavesa call for a car from day one.
Search cars in BilbaoWhy hire a car in Bilbao
- Pick up directly at Bilbao Airport: land and drive straight out to the coast or the interior without going through the city.
- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Urdaibai and the fishing villages of Biscay have access roads and opening times that only a car handles well.
- Bilbao is the perfect base for a northern road trip: San Sebastián, Rioja Alavesa and Cantabria are little more than an hour away by motorway.
Day trips near Bilbao
- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe — A hermitage on an islet linked to the mainland by 241 steps, a film location, around 40 min away; access is limited by reservation in high season.
- Urdaibai and Bermeo — A biosphere reserve with marshes, viewpoints and Biscay's most authentic fishing port, around 45 min away.
- San Sebastián — La Concha beach, Mount Igueldo and the best pintxo bars in the world, around 1 h 10 min via the AP-8.
- Vitoria-Gasteiz and Rioja Alavesa — A medieval old town, a green belt and boutique wineries on the way to Laguardia, around 50 min via the AP-68.
Where to pick up your car
- Bilbao Aeropuerto
- Bilbao Barakaldo
- Bilbao Centro
- Bilbao Ciudad
- Bilbao Estacion de Tren
- Bilbao Estación Intermodal
Final prices in euros · book without paying · free cancellation up to 72 h before.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car to visit Bilbao itself?
No: the centre is compact and the metro covers the estuary and the beaches of Getxo and Sopela. Most visitors collect the car at the airport just for day trips along the Biscay coast, into Gipuzkoa or down to Rioja Alavesa.
How do I get to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe from Bilbao?
By car along the BI-631 to Bakio and then the coastal road, around 40 minutes. In high season you must book free entry in advance and the car park fills quickly: it pays to arrive first thing.
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