24 Jan 2026 Bilbao, the unique and beautiful city, opens up before you with one of the most fun experiences you'll have as a student: Erasmus scholarship.
Visiting Bilbao is fantastic, living in the city is wonderful, but being able to enjoy the city, combining living with the locals, and meeting students from all over the world, is a winning combination.
To guide you on your new adventure, here's some basic information about Bilbao, so you know how to get there, how to get around the city center, what to see and do, and other tips.
We don't know if you came to Bilbao by choice or by assignment, but either way, you should be eternally grateful, because you've won the lottery.
Bilbao has a history and culture unique in all of Europe, from its monuments to its language, Basque, which holds mysteries and is considered the oldest language in Europe.
Aspects like these attract hundreds of students from around the world, who recognize the city's high academic level, in addition to many other things we'll tell you about, such as its great atmosphere.
It's a meeting point for students, but also a very lively place, where music plays a very important role, as do culture and art. From international museums to small venues with live music, the arts are admired and respected here.
In addition to its culture, history, and atmosphere, the food here is like nowhere else in the world. This isn't an exaggeration; if you've tried any Basque cuisine, you'll know this is true.
Finally, Bilbao is one of the world's surfing meccas. Its beaches are renowned, and there's a large number of surfers who visit, attracted by its waves, its people, and its cuisine.
Currently, there is no train or metro connecting the airport to downtown Bilbao, although they are close to establishing one. Therefore, the easiest and cheapest way to get to the heart of Bilbao is by bus.
The Bizkaibus line A3247 is the main connection to downtown Bilbao. It doesn't just stop at a specific location, but also has several important stops spread throughout downtown Bilbao, such as Alameda Recalde, Plaza Moyúa, and Gran Vía.
It costs €3, and traffic permitting, you'll be enjoying the atmosphere of downtown Bilbao in about 20 minutes. You can also try a taxi, which is obviously more expensive. For about €25, you'll be downtown in about 15 minutes, traffic permitting.
Once you're in downtown Bilbao, getting around is very easy, as Bilbao offers Bilbobus, the city's urban bus, as well as tram and metro services. The Barik card covers all these modes of transportation, and recharging it is very simple and quick.
The latter, the metro, runs from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and its journey time is about every six minutes. The tram runs through the entire center of Bilbao and is cheap and very comfortable.
Finally, the Bilbobus runs throughout the city, with numerous stops and lines. The cost of each trip depends on whether you choose a single ticket or a season ticket. You can obtain and top up your card on buses and stations, and get information about fares from employees.
In Bilbao, you can eat a lot and very well. Here, quantity and quality are not mutually exclusive; they go hand in hand as you stroll through the streets of La Villa, from tavern to tavern.
Explore the Old Town, Calle María Muñoz, Plaza Nueva, or Calle de la Pelota to discover the most traditional bars and the most typical dishes here with the best local ingredients.
What can't you miss? If you can, try it all. It's that simple, but if you want a quick rundown, it all starts with the pintxos. Those little works of art, the star of "going for pintxos," which is what they call "going for pintxos." La Gilda should be the first, and then the city is yours. Try all the pintxos you can, accompanied by a good wine, of course: txakoli.
The triangle and tower sandwiches, which at first don't seem very appetizing, will melt you with their fantastic flavour. We followed with a portion of stuffed peppers and txampis, which are delicious grilled mushrooms with sauces and sometimes stuffed with ham and cheese.
If we visit the sea, we'll find squid rings, cod in all its forms, porrusalda salad, kokotxas in every way you can imagine, spider crab, which is called Txangurro here, eels, baby squid, and the well-known marmitako. And this is just a sample. Bilbao is something to experience, feel, and savour.
By the way, don't hesitate to try anything that ends up "a la bilbaína," because it will be a thousand times better than you can imagine.
The Guggenheim Museum is synonymous with Bilbao's main monument. It's the great symbol and emblem of the city, of what it is, what it once imagined itself to be, and what it has become. Whether you're a fan of modern art or architecture, the Guggenheim Museum is a work of art in itself, a truly life-changing experience.
On the way to the Arriaga Theatre, you've surely noticed the metro stops, known as "fosteritos," in honour of its architect, the renowned Norman Foster. City Hall also has its own metro stop and is a building you can't miss.
Knowing the history of the estuary, La Ría, and its bridges is almost a necessity rather than an obligation. Without understanding the importance of La Ría, you won't understand Bilbao. And if we follow the course of the Nervión River, we'll come across the Euskalduna Conference and Music Centre, one of its most beautiful and interesting buildings.
The Ribera Market, next to La Ría, is a place worth both taking photos and enjoying a wonderful meal. Don't forget the Basilica of the Virgin of Begoña, its most important religious building, though not the only one. And from a basilica to a cathedral: the San Mamés football stadium. A true architectural gem and one of the best football stadiums in the world.
The Azkuna Zentroa cultural centre is a gift for the mind and the senses, and if you want an architectural shock, head straight to the Iberdrola Tower. That's Bilbao: fusion, avant-garde tradition.
To get a feel for Bilbao's nightlife, you can't miss the Old Town. This is where the best parties always happen, but it's not the only place. The area around the San Mamés football stadium, known as Pozas, is also a popular spot for people looking for the best party in Bilbao. Finally, don't forget to visit the Albia and Mazarredo Gardens.
Some of the best clubs in all of Bilbao are located in these three areas. Muelle Bilbao, Budha Bilbao, and Cotton Club are the best clubs you can visit.
Although there aren't just traditional clubs, there are also clubs, bars, and places where you can enjoy everything from brunch to late-night drinks, including an afternoon beer, like Kafe Antzokia. Other places we love for their location, music, and atmosphere are Back and Stage, Rock Star, and Azkena.
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