Basic information about Bilbao and its transportation
Bilbao is a city located in the north of Spain that belongs to Vizcaya, a province of the autonomous community of the Basque Country. It has a population of 346.903 registered in 2023 (Bilbao.eus). Bathed by the Cantabrian Sea, its climate is temperate. Summers are not usually very hot and in winter temperatures do not drop as much as in the interior of Spain. The mountainous environment that surrounds it maintains that characteristic green color of the north thanks to the rainfall throughout the year.
Have the airport national and international and the Abando station that connects with all of Spain and Europe. The city offers different transportation such as the subway, buses and trams. The simplest and most economical way to use transportation in the city is to get a card Barik, it is a “wallet” card in which you load an amount of money and it is spent as you use it. If you wish, you can personalize it with your name and photo. The fares that apply if you have this card are cheaper than if you bought a ticket for each trip. For example, using a BilboBus bus costs €1,35 without the card and, on the other hand, with the Barik the trip costs €0,66.
1.UNIVERSITIES OF BILBAO AND PROFESSIONAL DEPARTURES
In Bilbao you have two universities : the public University of the Basque Country and the University of Deusto.
The University of the Basque Country has campuses in Biscay, Gipuzkoa, and Álava. The Biscay campus is spread across Bilbao, Portugalete, Barakaldo, and Leioa.
This link shows their course offerings; there are nearly 100 degrees to choose from, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding one that suits you. This university also has a cross-border campus at the University of Bordeaux, where you can specialize and earn international qualifications.
The University of Deusto is a private university with one campus in Bilbao and another in San Sebastián.
2.GASTRONOMY IN BILBAO
A typical feature of this region is the "pintxo ," a variety of small bites of food that you can find at the bar of its countless establishments. Within the city, there are different areas where Basques gather to enjoy them.
In Plaza Nueva, located in the old town, you'll find plenty of bars to explore. You can go to Bertoko Berria, a favorite haunt of celebrities, as evidenced by the photos on its walls, or Gure Toki , which blends traditional Basque cuisine with a modern twist. Also in this square is Zuga, famous for its Roquefort Carolina.
Café Iruña, located in Jardines Albia, is a city landmark famous for its Moorish-style lamb pintxos and mushrooms. Other areas to continue your culinary exploration include Diputación, Licenciado Pozas, and García Rivero streets. On Diputación, you'll find Bar El Globo , famous for its spider crab pintxo, and Bar Ziripot at number 46 Licenciado Pozas. The best thing to do is consult a map of these areas and wander through the bars, sampling everything they have to offer.
When you want to eat bigger bites you can always go and try the burgers at La Brasa Canalla or Típula , the Italian food at Coppola , the pizzas at Demaio or the Japanese food at Wasabi or Nikko.
3. WHAT TO SEE IN BILBAO
As a coastal city, Bilbao offers numerous beaches to go to. Many of them 30 minutes by metro or bus from the city center.
Getxo It is an essential visit, it has different beaches such as Las Arenas, Arrigunaga, Gorrondatxe-Aizkorri and Ereaga. In them you can practice all kinds of sports in the sea (surfing, canoeing) and out of the water (beach soccer, volleyball).
One of the sports that is most practiced in the north of Spain is surfing. Plentzia beach, located 43 minutes by metro from Bilbao, is an ideal destination to get started. Other beaches such as Arrietara and Atxabiribil, in Sopela, are also frequented by surfers. Furthermore, 40 minutes from Bilbao you will find Mundaka, one of the stops on the Big Waves World Tour surf competition.
If you'd like to swap the sea for the mountains, one of the most popular hiking routes is the ascent of Pagasarri , Bilbao's most famous mountain. It's not very high (673m) but it has some very steep sections, such as its famous "Hill of Silence," so named because you'll need to hold your breath to breathe properly. From the summit and throughout the entire route, you can enjoy views of the city and its surroundings. To begin the hike, you start from Larraskitu, which you can reach by bus lines 71, 72, 75, and 76.
Another route you can do is the climb to Mount Txarlazo or also called “The Virgin of Orduña” because of the monument that is at the top. To get there you can take the Renfe train at the Abando station (Bilbao center) towards Orduña.
If you're a Game of Thrones fan, you have to go to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe . It's a small island connected to the mainland by a stone bridge and a 241-step staircase, located between the coastal towns of Bakio and Bermeo. The scene where Daenerys arrives at Dragonstone was filmed here.
4. BASQUE CULTURE IN BILBAO
One of the city's most recognizable icons is the Guggenheim Museum , with its titanium structure and giant flower-adorned dog guarding the entrance. Student admission is €8.
Two other museums that may be interesting to you are the Fine Arts Museum (Museo Plaza, 2) or the Maritime Museum of Bilbao.
Azkuna Zentroa is a great leisure and cultural center to visit in your free time . Among its offerings are a library with 72 study spaces, a gym with an indoor pool, and cinemas. There's also a rooftop bar with a terrace and a restaurant to complete your dining experience.
Throughout the year you can be captivated by the atmosphere that awakens in the city every time the Athletic de Bilbao football club plays in the stadium. San Mamés. If you are a fan of this team and live in the city, you cannot miss a visit to the stadium.
In the Basque Country, Rioja and Navarra, a traditional sport is practiced called “Basque Pelota”, in which two players hit a hard material ball against a wall with their hands. If you are interested and have the opportunity to watch a match, don't hesitate and immerse yourself in traditional Basque culture.
If you fancy getting away from the city for a bit and want to enjoy the panoramic views, you can take the funicular up Mount Artxanda; a round trip costs €4,30. Another option is to visit one of Bilbao's parks, such as Doña Casilda or Ribera. Both are great for a picnic, reading a book, or simply relaxing.
5. GO OUT IN BILBAO
Bilbao is a smaller city than Madrid or Barcelona but that doesn't stop you from having plans every weekend, both day and night 😉.
One place that has become fashionable is Happy River , a restaurant that offers different foods such as tapas, sushi or hamburgers and cocktails that you can enjoy on the terrace overlooking the Bilbao estuary.
If you're looking for a place to grab a drink in the evening, you could try La Carboneria or La Antigua Cigarrería, located near the Abando train station (C/Astarloa, 5). This area is very close to the Back&Stage nightclub , a popular spot for university students, which is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Two other options for a night out are La Sala Rockstar, located at number 89 on Gran Vía Don Diego López de Haro, or Budha.
For those who like pop and rock festivals, in July there is BBK Live, one of the most important festivals in Spain.
In August, Bilbao hosts Semana Grande , or Aste Nagusia. This is the biggest street festival in northern Spain, where you can enjoy music, fireworks competitions, and countless events for all tastes. Throughout the city, you'll see the figure of Marijaia, a plump woman with her hands raised, and you'll find large stalls called "txosnas" where you can find music, food, and drinks to enjoy the festivities.
CONCLUSION
Bilbao is a city full of energy and strength that advances and reinvents itself every day. This innovation that they promote both in their society and in the educational system makes it a very interesting option to develop your university future. Furthermore, thanks to the privileged environment in which it is located due to its mountains and its coast, it will give you a vitalizing experience that you will never forget.
