Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque country. Located in north-central Spain, it forms the urban core of the northern region. You will find lots of interesting places to visit in Bilbao for 3 days, but also there are really gorgeous cities around Bilbao which will take your breath away.
Six smaller towns near Bilbao will take you down memory lane and give you the full experience of the Basque region. And the best thing is that they are well connected by bus with Bilbao through train and bus, so, it is easy to arrive at them if you are hosted in Bilbao.
Read about them.
Valmaseda
Valmaseda is located in the Biscay province in the Basque country, 30 kilometers from Bilbao. You can get there by using the road, railway or by bus.
The town has a rich history and dates back to the 15th Century when it became a Jewish settlement. Among its main landmarks are San Severino Cathedral, from the 15th century and built in gothic style.
Bermeo
The town is an important fishing port in the Basque country that’s 24 kilometers from Bilbao and you can get there via train, bus, taxi, and car.
You will experience the lovely sea views by visiting San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a hermitage that dates from the 10th century. The lovely beaches, historical monuments, and museums in the town sum up the thrilling experience when you travel to the town.
The town also has an amazing hospitality industry with lovely restaurants such as Kafe Loidxie.
If you want to get to know more beaches near Bilbao, visit the article we devoted to them.
Lekeito
This lovely town is small and colorful and is located just 55 kilometers from Bilbao and you can use the bus or hire a taxi.
If you love ports and views of the sea, it is the town to visit. The port town is alive at any time of the day, and from the town, you will see San Nicolas Island, which is accessible on foot when there is a low tide. You will enjoy the culinary lifestyle of the island in various restaurants and hotels in the town.
Elantxobe
Get in touch with nature by visiting the Urdaibai Biosphere reserves in the city and the harbors. It is 24 kilometers from Bilbao but 47 kilometers by road.
There are some beautiful country houses overlooking the harbor that will make your visit worth the while. It is a lovely place to spend the day, and you will fall in love with the small town’s charm.
Orduña
The city is located at the foot of the Salvada mountain range 40 kilometers from Bilbao. You will fall in love with nature when you see the Gujuli waterfalls and the lovely views from Pico del Fraile.
Some historic buildings include the Santa Maria Parish Church, the Palace of Mimenza, and the Díaz Pimienta.
Castro Urdiales
It is a lovely seaside town in Cantabria, 31 kilometers from Bilbao and you can get there using bus routes between the cities. The town is famous for its San Juan event, filled with fireworks and a fire statue.
It is a small town filled with charm since it was an old fishing village used by Romans. Castro has recently grown, and visitors can see everything at the top of the village.
Where to stay in Bilbao
Since it is a touristic town, there are numerous hotels in Bilbao, but if you want to visit the towns nearby, you had better stay in a hotel placed in the city center, since it has good connections.
One that stands out is the Catalonia Gran Vía Bilbao Bilbao, a four-star-hotel located in the heart of the city, with great connections such as the tram, metro, bus and train.
The hotel is located in the Gran Via Don Diego López de Haro, which is known as the Gran Vía avenue. There, you can experience Bilbao’s hospitality scene by visiting bars, restaurants, and shops in the city. The Gran Vía is part of the Ensanche de Abando, a popular neighborhood with historic buildings in Bilbao.
Apart from being in the center, it is within walking distance from Doña Casilda Park and near the Euskalduna conference center, which is the largest auditorium in the region. It is also near the Guggenheim museum, one of the most important museums in Bilbao, if not the most one.
Other interesting places near this hotel are the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, the Iberdrola Tower and the Bilbao Maritime Museum.
Bilbao and its surroundings are full of charm and gorgeous places to enjoy. Do not miss the singularity of Basque culture and immerse yourself in its uniqueness.
