Bilbao, thecapital of the Spanish province Biscay, is the perfect destination for Spain vacationers. The metropolis is the largest city in the autonomous region of Basque Country. Just over a million people live here. In addition, every year once again so many vacationers and day tourists are added, of which many explore city and surroundings also by hired car. Because in order to discover the large metropolis and the surrounding countryside, it is worthwhile to hire a car at a reasonable price.
Many interesting destinations are best reached by hired car. Cheap offers for rental cars are available throughout the year.
What the most beautiful stop on a trip through Bilbao is, is a little dispute between residents and visitors, as it is of course a matter of taste. Many are of the opinion that it is the Básilica de Begona. Among the sights of the city, it occupies one of the first places. Built on a hill in 1588, the church, like all churches in Spain, is magnificently decorated. It is lit only with candles. Therefore, it is worthwhile to stop by there in the evening. Unfortunately, you can’t reach the Básilica de Begona directly by hired car. On foot it goes over a steep staircase. If that is too strenuous for you, you can take the elevator. The effort is rewarded with an overwhelmingly beautiful view over Bilbao, especially from early spring, until late autumn.
Basilica de Begona
Church of San Anton
After visiting the Básilica de Begona, you should still make a small diversion to the market hall within walking distance. Therefore, it is said to leave the hired car there and walk in the direction of the river. Here the visitor finds a construction called San Anton, one of the oldest bridges in the city. The church in the immediate vicinity bears the same name. The bridge was built in the 16th century. The construction of the sacral building began earlier, in the 15th century. It took until the 18th century to finish the church. Only then was the construction of the tower completed.
The discovery tour by hired car starts at Bilbao Airport (BIO). The international commercial airport is served by almost all known airlines in the world. Offers for cheap flights can be booked practically all year round.
Also for car hire, the big names of car hire companies are ready at Bilbao Airport. Vacationers can hire their hired car cheaply even before they start their trip.. This is more relaxed and you will find the cheapest deals in advance when planning your trip. If you have found your hired car bargain via the price comparison, you can also pick up your hired car directly at Bilbao Airport upon arrival. Car hire on the spot is also possible via the online price comparison spontaneously and possibly not less expensive. In the high season, however, it is recommended in any case to check the car hire offers up to two weeks before departure and select the best offer from the comfort of your home.
When booking online, you can easily compare different cars with our help and pick the cheapest one. Simply enter the desired travel dates in the search mask, with the one-way rental you have the possibility to choose two different places as pickup and return station, so for example a road trip will be much more pleasant for you. Next, specify for how many people the hired car is needed, so you have the perfect vehicle size. You can then choose between different vehicle categories, features, insurance and included services as indicated below. To make your choice easier we also offer three different benefit packages so you don't have to filter everything individually. Finally, choose the offer that is the best value for you. We always strive to present all offers as price transparent as possible - so they book not only with TÜV certified safety guarantee, but also informed and without nasty surprises.
Travelers exploring Bilbao by hired car should definitely not miss the Market Hall during a side trip to the old town. This station of the trip is easily found with the hired car by going to the southeastern section of the old town. Rough point of orientation is the river, because the market hall, Mercado de la Ribera, lies directly on the bank of the Nervion. The building's stained-glass windows are its exterior distinguishing feature. The food offerings inside include everything that makes cuisine in Spain so special. These include the fresh delicacies of the sea, vegetables and fruits, pastries and meats. The vendors in the hall are constantly changing. The best way to find the best deals on various foods is to check them out from the gallery. There you can also enjoy inexpensive small delicacies.
The largest church in the city is the Cathedral de Santiago. It is built in Gothic style and dates back to the 14th century. It is mainly the side altars that impress with their splendor. The organ is also a sound experience. It was already installed in the 17th century. If you want to enjoy its sounds, it is best to stay for the service. Visiting the church costs no money. An exception is the visit to the sacristy. Here the visitor pays one euro. He is compensated by the splendor of the church building.
The area around the city of Bilbao is also absolutely worth seeing and charming. If you want to hire a convertible and explore the region, you will find the most wonderful opportunities here. The area around Bilbao has a landscape diversity that is exceptional. Beaches and coves invite you to rest or have a leisurely picnic. It is best to take your bathing suits directly with you!
An absolute nature experience offer the cliffs on the Atlantic Ocean. For the journey into this area, it is favorable to hire a SUV as a hired car. With this, the Atlantic coast can be explored without any problems in any case. An SUV is also the right vehicle for a side trip to the mountains around Bilbao. Nature lovers will find here really everything the heart desires.
At the mouth of the Ria, an industrial monument awaits its admirers. The bridge Puente Colgante, also known as Vizcaya Bridge, is made of steel. It was built by Alberto de Palacio, a student of the famous G. Eiffel. As the oldest transporter bridge in the world, it connects the towns of Portugalete and Las Arenas. The construction has a height of 50 meters. The special experience is the gondola at the bridge. It takes cars and pedestrians across the river. At the bridge itself, visitors come up with an elevator. The view of Bilbao and the surrounding area is stunning.
Bilbao's weather, with its Mediterranean temperatures and many hours of sunshine, makes especially the months of May to October the best time for a holiday with a hired car:
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. Temp (in °C) | 12,9 | 14 | 15,3 | 16,4 | 19,6 | 22,4 | 25 | 25,1 | 24,4 | 21 | 16,1 | 13,4 |
| Min. Temp (in °C) | 4,8 | 5,3 | 5,5 | 7,1 | 9,6 | 12,3 | 14,4 | 14,6 | 13,2 | 11 | 7,5 | 5,7 |
| Sunshine hours (per day) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 5 |
| Rainy days | 19 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 16 |
