Bilbao Airport is the most important airport in the Basque region of Spain and handles over 4 million passengers a year. Scheduled and budget airlines operate from here to destinations all over Spain and Europe. With your car hire at Bilbao Airport, the city is an easy drive and just 9 km away.
Bilbao Airport is nicknamed la paloma or ‘the dove’ due to its unique design by Santiago Calatrava. It is made of white concrete and glass and has a central building with two wings attached. It is also unusual in that it has no arrivals area and the check-in area is in a fan style arrangement. There are 3 information desks at the airport, to help you find your way around and answer any enquiries you may have. For all your money services there are 5 ATMs and a currency exchange booth. There are 2 VIP lounges for business class ticket holders or they may be booked in advance for a fee. The airport has a few options for shopping, there is a duty free store and you can buy local produce at the Sibarium Delicatessen. Browse the latest fashions at Las Lilas and buy your newspapers and books at Relay. If you get hungry, there is the Derio Cafe for snacks, fast food and grilled items at Cafe Loiu and local specialities at Restaurante Aeropurto de Bilbao.
Bilbao is a port city, where ancient and modern sit side by side. It is iconic and represents the strong maritime history of the city as well as being famous for its Guggenheim Museum. There are many museums and art galleries in Bilbao, including the Bullfighting Museum and the Museum of Sacred Art. You can wander around the Seven Streets of the old town and see the gothic 14th century cathedral of St James, which was named after the city’s patron saint. The Basilica de Begona, overlooks the city and is one of the most significant buildings in the city. Both the unusual airport and the incredible Zubizuri Bridge were designed by Santiago Calatrava, whose work is both architecturally praised but criticised for being impractical. Have Basque style tapas in the Plaza Nueva and shop for local produce at the Mercado de la Ribera, one of the biggest covered markets in Europe. With car hire in Bilbao you can visit the beautiful seaside town of San Sebastian or the resort of Santander.
