Traveling in Spain is easy, and there is so much to see, it is smart to visit some cities while you are there. You may discover a hidden gem along the way. Adding a trip to Bilbao if you are in Barcelona is a gem.
Architect Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, built from titanium, glass, and limestone, is at the top of Spain’s must-see list for its architecture, magnificent art collection, and sculpture. The architecture is also on display along the Nervión River, where you will see three impressive and unusual bridges. If that’s not enough to attract you, there are 40 Michelin-starred restaurants in Bilbao and the Basque Country that surround it. So if you like food and art, this city is not to be missed.
If you are in love with tapas, called pintxos in the Basque Country, this place is definitely for you.
There are several ways to get from Barcelona to Bilbao. You can go by public transport by train or bus for an affordable ticket or rent a car if you don’t mind driving in a foreign country. The car will cost a bit more, but it gives you the freedom to control your schedule, make interesting stops along the way, and get around easily once you get to Bilbao.
By train
The train from Barcelona to Bilbao takes approximately six hours and 45 minutes and is very affordable. There are generally three daily departures from Barcelona’s Sants station in the Sants-Montjuic district (a little west of the city center). Book train tickets in Spain with Rail Europe in advance to reduce the time you spend on station lines.
By bus
If you have time to spare and prefer to take the bus, you can easily find regular buses throughout the day. The trip takes seven to nine hours and is also affordable. Buses from Barcelona to Bilbao leave from the Sants and Nord bus stations.
You can book most bus tickets in Spain online at no additional cost. Just pay with a credit card and print the e-ticket .
By car
If you’re ready for a leisurely drive through the beautiful La Rioja landscape, rent a car, turn on your GPS, and hit the road. The 600 kilometer (373 mile) journey from Barcelona to Bilbao takes approximately 5.5 hours, traveling mainly on AP-2 and AP-68. (Note that AP roads are toll roads.) A good road trip stop is Zaragoza, known for its medieval monuments, or the wine-growing city of Logroño.
Delights of Logrono
If you are a foodie, you have every reason to take this trip by car. One of the main draws of the Basque Country is its tapas, and there is a city on the way to Bilbao that you need to check if eating delicious food is high on your priority list: Logrono. If you have time during your trip, you can also book a tour of the impressive vineyards that the area has to offer. There’s so much to see (and eat and drink here) that you might want to spend the night at a nearby hotel.
