Your ship doesn't dock in Bilbao itself but in Getxo, at the mouth of the estuary. Getting from the terminal to the front of the Guggenheim takes between 30 minutes and an hour depending on how you travel. Bear that in mind and a 6-8 hour call still gives you the museum, the Old Town and a round of pintxos, or a relaxed day in Getxo with the Bizkaia Bridge.
Where does the ship dock?
At the Getxo cruise terminal on the Abra bay, beside the marina and Ereaga beach. There are three berths: Getxo 1 and 2 share a terminal building and Getxo 3 has its own. Central Bilbao is 12-15 km up the estuary.
How do you get from Getxo to central Bilbao?
| Option | Time to the centre | Approximate cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise line shuttle | 25-30 min | Depends on the line (sometimes included) | Going straight to the Guggenheim |
| Metro line 1 (Gobela or Neguri) | 15-min walk + 20-25 min on the metro | About €2 single | Independent travellers |
| Bizkaibus A3411 (Bilbao-Getxo-Azkorri) | Varies | Single fare | Alternative to the metro, stop at Av. Zugazarte 54 |
| Taxi | 20-30 min | About €35 | Groups of 3-4 or short calls |
- Metro. The closest stations to the terminal are Gobela (1 km) and Neguri (1.5 km), both on line 1. Get off at Moyua for the Guggenheim (10 minutes on foot) or Casco Viejo for the Seven Streets. If there are several of you, or you'll ride more than once, buy a Barik card (€3) from the machine: one card covers the group and each trip is cheaper.
- Shuttle. Many lines run a bus into Bilbao, stopping near the museum. The price and the last return time are in the ship's programme.
- Taxi. Getxo council quotes about €37 between Abando station and the terminal. BizkaiTaxi: +34 944 91 53 53.
What to see in Bilbao in 4, 6 or 8 hours
| Time ashore | Suggested plan |
|---|---|
| 4 hours | Pick one: the Guggenheim (2 hours inside plus the journey) or stay in Getxo for the Bizkaia Bridge, the Ereaga seafront and Algorta's Old Port. |
| 6 hours | Metro or shuttle to the Guggenheim first thing, a riverside walk to the Old Town and pintxos on Plaza Nueva. Back by metro. |
| 8 hours | All of the above at an easy pace, or the Guggenheim in the morning and the Bizkaia Bridge on the way back (Areeta metro). With 9-10 hours, a private trip to Gaztelugatxe. |
The Guggenheim
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00-19:00. Closed on Mondays, except from 15 June to 7 September, some Easter Mondays and a few holidays (in 2026, 12 October and 7 and 28 December).
- Tickets: €12 on the official website, audio guide included. Allow 2 hours inside; outside, Puppy, Maman and Gehry's building are free.
- Short on time? A private guided visit covers the highlights in 90 minutes with your ticket included. There's also a 4-hour option that adds the city, which suits a port day well.
Old Town and pintxos
From the museum, the riverside walk takes you to the Old Town in about 20 minutes. The Seven Streets, Santiago Cathedral and Plaza Nueva take a couple of hours; a local guide stops you getting lost between bars.
The Bizkaia Bridge, in Getxo
The Bizkaia Bridge (Puente Colgante), a UNESCO World Heritage Site linking Getxo and Portugalete, is about 3 km from the terminal along the estuary path, or a metro ride to Areeta. Crossing in the gondola costs €0.60 and runs 24 hours a day. The upper walkway costs €11 and opens with the Getxo lift, 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-19:00 (hours can be cut back during technical issues).
If you'd rather skip Bilbao, the coastal bike tour of Getxo starts in Algorta, very close to the terminal, and takes in the bridge, the Old Port and a pintxo.
What about San Sebastián?
San Sebastián is just over an hour by road from Bilbao. To spend 3-4 hours there with a safe margin you need 9-10 hours ashore. The group day trips we sell from Bilbao last 9-10 hours and leave the city centre early, so they don't fit a port call. If your ship stays all day, a car with driver is the option; otherwise, enjoy Bilbao.
When should you be back on board?
- All aboard is usually 30 to 60 minutes before sailing. Check the daily programme.
- From central Bilbao, allow an hour to the gangway: metro, the walk from Gobela or Neguri and security.
- The cruise shuttle has a last departure; if you miss it, the metro and taxis are still running.
Shore excursions that fit a Bilbao call
| Tour | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|
| Guggenheim private tour with guide and ticket Book | 1.5 hr (or 4 hr with the city) | €320 per group |
| Private walking tour of the centre and Old Town, 4.6★ (133) Book | 2 hr | €36 |
| Guggenheim guided tour with ticket (Spanish), 4.9★ (182) Book | 2 hr | €49 |
| Getxo coastal bike tour with pintxo, 4.8★ (46) Book | 2 hr 30 min | €60 |
| Old Town pintxos and drinks tour, 4.7★ (62) Book | 3 hr 30 min | €89 |
| Private Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka and Gernika trip Book | 7 hr | €920 per group (1-2 people) |
The private Gaztelugatxe trip picks up from your Bilbao hotel: if you're arriving by ship, ask when booking whether they can collect you at the Getxo terminal. It only fits calls of 9 hours or more.
Ship's excursion or independent?
| Ship's excursion | Independent or private | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Highest | Metro about €2, museum €12, tours from €36 |
| If you run late | The ship waits | Getting back on time is on you |
| Upside | No transport worries | You choose what to see and how fast |
| Worth it for | San Sebastián or the coast on a tight call | Bilbao, Getxo and the Guggenheim |
Bilbao and Getxo are easy on your own by metro. The ship's tour pays off for places more than an hour away.
Sundays, Mondays and holidays
- Mondays: the Guggenheim is closed except in summer and on the dates above. It's the costliest mistake on a Bilbao call.
- Sundays: the museum is open and the Old Town fills up at lunchtime with locals out for vermouth and pintxos; most shops are closed.
- The metro runs every day, less often on Sundays and holidays.
Common mistakes
- Assuming you dock in Bilbao. You're in Getxo: allow a good half hour each way.
- Planning the Guggenheim on a Monday outside summer.
- Trying San Sebastián on an 8-hour call. You'll spend more time on the road than in the city.
- Forgetting the walk from the metro. It's 1-1.5 km between Gobela or Neguri and the gangway: add it to your return time.
For more on a day in the city see Bilbao in one day, and if museum tickets sell out, Guggenheim tickets sold out.
