The 9 viewpoints of Bilbao.

The viewpoints of Bilbao, the best views of the capital of Biscay.

The 9 viewpoints of Bilbao that we present today, are undoubtedly some of the best scenarios from which to see the city. And, in addition to touring Bilbao on foot, it is always advisable to gain height and change perspective to get a more realistic idea of the city we travel. In this case, the geographical location of the capital of Bizkaia, located in a “botxo”, between mountains, means that we have plenty of viewpoints from which to enjoy this charming urban center. That said, we wanted to make a small selection of what for us are the 9 best viewpoints in Bilbao. A list, among which we find such emblematic Bilbao spaces as Etxebarria Park, Mount Artxanda or Mount Pagasarri. If you are looking for the best panoramic views of Bilbao, if you are looking for the best views of Bilbao, you are in luck, it’s time to dust off your camera and enjoy some of the best urban views of all Euskadi. Everyone who visits Bilbao is enthusiastic about its beauty. And the fusion of industrial and modern buildings, make the estuary of Bilbao and everything that surrounds it gain special interest. That is why we always recommend our readers to enjoy the 199 things to see in Bilbao from different points of view. We are sure you will love it. There are experiences for all tastes, from pleasant boat rides in Bilbao to the historic Bilbao funicular. You choose. If you have any questions or suggestions, we remind you that you can use the comment system at the end of this article. We will try to respond as soon as possible.

As we did with the best viewpoints of Donostia San Sebastian, we wanted to group the mountains and strategic buildings of Bilbao to enjoy movie perspectives. We hope you like them. All of them are presented to us as quiet and relaxing spaces from where we recommend you to relax your eyes, let your mind go blank and let your imagination fly. Do you dare? It’s worth it.

It is not the first time that we talk about any of these spaces, and we are sure that our regular readers remember spaces such as the viewpoint of the Iberdrola Tower or the viewpoint of Artxanda mountain among others. Undoubtedly, 2 of the protagonists of today’s article. The latter, together with the funicular that crosses its slope, has become one of the most visited places by photography lovers. An ideal place to capture the essence of the city both day and night. A delight. Whichever Bilbao viewpoint you choose, we recommend that you pay special attention to the Old Town, the Guggenheim Museum, the Bilbao estuary, the Arriaga Theater, the San Mames soccer stadium or the Iberdrola Tower itself. Historical and emblematic points of Bilbao that create a landscape of film. You will repeat!

Today we present the best views of Bilbao. Central and high altitude areas, from where you can contemplate the estuary while enjoying the Basque attractions such as gastronomy, climate or its people. That is why we wanted to plan a day in Bilbao, never better said. In this sense, we recommend that you combine this article with one of our star reports: what to see in Bilbao. In this way, walking along the riverbed from the San Anton Bridge to Deusto you will enjoy all the spaces that we recommend while you get to know some of the viewpoints we mention. If you do not have time to visit all the viewpoints of Bilbao that we propose, we recommend you to visit only the first 4, undoubtedly the most beautiful and accessible of the capital of Biscay. Get your camera ready, we are going to capture panoramic views of Bilbao.

1.- Viewpoint Torre Iberdrola.

The viewpoint of the Iberdrola Tower, also known as the panoramic viewpoint of Bilbao, is the only paid viewpoint in this article. A fact that should not be an impediment to visit it. And is that, located in the center, 5 minutes walk from the Guggenheim Museum, this viewpoint is perfect for those who do not want to waste time in displacements. A large glazed viewpoint, located on the 25th floor of the emblematic Iberdrola Tower, 115 meters high, is a perfect choice for those who want to see Bilbao from above. We should point out that it is the only viewpoint located in the center of the city, since the rest are on the slopes of the surrounding mountains.

The Iberdrola Tower, one of the last buildings to join the architectural heritage of the city, has become in just a few years an emblem of Bilbao. You should know that this viewpoint is only open to the public on weekends and holidays, the rest of the year is for the exclusive use of workers of some of the leading companies in the Basque Country. Among them, Iberdrola. If you have any doubts about this viewpoint, we recommend reading our article “Mirador Torre Iberdrola, the best views of Bilbao“. We are sure that in this report you will find the answer to all your questions.

2.- Artxanda viewpoint.

Artxanda, emblematic mountain of the city and one of the most demanded leisure areas by the people of Bilbao, has become by its own merits one of the most acclaimed viewpoints by all those who visit us. Not in vain, the city council has installed a modern and striking railing where you can read the words Bilbao and Bilbo. A clear wink to all those people who want to be photographed with the city. If you upload your photos to social networks, remember that you can tag us in any of them(Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube). We must say that the geographical situation of Artxanda mountain allows us to enjoy 2 totally different environments, on the one hand the city of Bilbao and on the other hand the always striking Txorierri Valley. The latter is internationally known for hosting such important places as the Bilbao airport and some of the most important restaurants in Bizkaia. If you like walking, we recommend that after visiting the viewpoint, you go to the hermitage of San Roque from where you have the opportunity to see this valley. Moreover, if you go up by car, along the winding road that runs along this mountain you will find dozens of spaces from where you can see much of Bizkaia, and, on sunny days, it is possible to see even the sea. A real treat.

We recommend accessing Artxanda using the funicular that goes up to the top. To do so, you just have to follow the riverbed up to the Zubizuri bridge and enter the Castaños neighborhood. There you will find the Plaza del Funicular, where the lower station of the historical funicular of the city is located. A transport full of charm that in just 5 minutes will take you to your destination. Comfortable and practical. In case you want more information about this space, we recommend reading our article “Artxanda, the photocall of the Great Bilbao“. Remember that in this mountain you will find gastronomic spaces of great importance as the restaurant Txakoli Simón or the Restaurant Antón. Undoubtedly one of the viewpoints of Bilbao that attracts more looks.

3.- Kobetamendi / Mount Cobetas.

Mount Cobetas, also known as Kobetamendi, is another of the great viewpoints of Bilbao. A leisure space where nature is the main protagonist. It is here, in this impressive location, where year after year one of the most important festivals of the peninsula is held: Bilbao BBk Live. In case you want to visit this space, remember that you can do it by public or private transport or even walking, but the stairs that we find to climb up to this area are a handicap. In case you want to go up by public transport, we recommend you to use the public buses of Bilbao: Bilbobus. In our opinion, the best line to go up to Kobetamendi is the 58. This bus leaves you near the Cobetas brewery, once here, we recommend you to walk around the area while enjoying the views. Simply breathtaking.

The Cobetas brewery is a good option to have a drink after stretching your legs in this area of Bilbao. But it is not the only point of interest. Near it is one of the motorhome areas of the region of Gran Bilbao. Undoubtedly a dream location for motor home lovers.

4.- Etxebarria Park Viewpoint.

One of the most important and historic parks of Bilbao takes great prominence in this list that we show you today. Etxebarria Park, one of the most popular places to watch the fireworks during the fascinating Aste Nagusia (Bilbao’s festivities), has become one of the most interesting viewpoints of the city.

Although today Etxebarria Park is one of the most emblematic leisure areas of Bilbao, it was not always so. And it was here, where one of the historical industrial companies of Bizkaia was located. A factory, which began as a small tinplate workshop and ended up becoming part of Sidenor, a world leader in steel production and one of the main manufacturers of forged and cast parts. In the 80’s this factory located next to the Basilica of Begoña fell into disuse until 1989 when the City Council of Bilbao bought the land to turn it into one of the great green spaces of the city. One of the lungs of Bilbao. At present, the enormous chimney that we find in its central area is the only memory that we have of this industrial past.

The best area of Etxebarria Park to see the city of Bilbao is the one next to the Mallona soccer fields. A space where the city of Bilbao is literally at our feet. An essential place to visit in Bilbao. If you want to walk to this space you can do it from the town hall by the Plaza del Gas, from the Plaza Unamuno by the Calzadas de Mallona or from the Basilica of Begoña by the Virgen de Begoña street. On the other hand, if you want to do it by public transport, the best option is to use the Mallona elevator. You can access it through the Casco Viejo Metro station.

5.- La Salve Bridge.

La Salve Bridge is part of the enormous range of bridges in Bilbao. What’s more, this enormous structure currently holds the honorary title of highest bridge in Bilbao, a space that hosts one of the events of the world diving championship: Red Bull diving Bilbao. And that is why it is also one of the places from where you can better appreciate how the Guggenheim Museum is integrated into one of the most striking areas of the city. As you have been able to appreciate, La Salve Bridge is not a viewpoint itself, but it is always worth climbing to its highest point and take a look at the horizon. 100% recommended.

To go up to the top there are 2 options, going around the Guggenheim Museum or using the stairs / elevator on the other side of the estuary. We love to go up from the Guggenheim while watching the estuary as it positions itself under our feet. Definitely a nice view of the estuary, the Guggenheim Museum, the Iberdrola Tower and the rest of the city.

6.- Stairs of Solokoetxe.

The Solokoetxe stairs link the central Old Town of Bilbao with the Solokoetxe neighborhood, hence its name. Undoubtedly one of the most famous stairs of the whole city. A space that gives us a nice view between roofs of the oldest area of the Biscayan capital. We recommend that you check how each step makes us climb a few inches to take us to the roofs of the 7 streets. A nice place to photograph the essence of the old Bilbao.

We recommend that you take advantage of your visit to the Casco Viejo of Bilbao to visit this place. We are sure you will like it.

7.- Pagasarri.

Mount Pagasarri is one of the sacred places of Bilbao. A place of pilgrimage. Not in vain, all Bilbao men and women gather annually at the foot of this mountain to walk to its summit. It is the annual ascent to the Pagasarri. A winter event that has come to congregate more than 10,000 people. We must remember that in December, in this point of Euskadi, we have come to have up to -3 degrees. Weather conditions that do not invite to walk. So to congregate more than 10,000 people in the middle of December is quite an achievement.

This viewpoint is only for those people who like the mountains and want to stretch their legs during their stay in the capital of Biscay. For the rest of the people we recommend any of the mentioned viewpoints.

8.- Green Beach of Bilbao.

The so-called green beach of Bilbao, officially San Antonio de Iturrigorri Park, is a recreational area where we find a municipal soccer field, swings and many other leisure facilities. A place of more than 130,000 square meters located between the neighborhoods of Rekalde and Peñascal that calls to the meeting. A space widely used by residents of the nearby neighborhood of Rekalde to enjoy a nice day in nature. Thanks to the many tables and benches scattered around the area, it has become one of the most popular places to spend the day.

If you want to get to this point, we recommend the use of Bilbobus lines 72 and 76. There is a stop near the entrance to the park. On the other hand, if you want to use private transport, there is a small free parking lot that will allow you to leave your vehicle with complete peace of mind.

9.- Miribilla.

The last neighborhood of Bilbao. A modern space, which merges with the historical neighborhoods that surround it, creating one of the new spaces of Bilbao. This is how this neighborhood has become one of the most attractive areas for young families who decide to make Bilbao their home. It is here, where we find spaces as important as the Bizkaia Fronton, one of the most modern and largest in Euskadi or the Bilbao Arena stadium, home of Bilbao Basket.

We must remember the important mining past of Miribilla. And it is in this area, on the left bank of the Nervión, where one of the largest concentrations of mines in Bizkaia was located. A viewpoint with an iron heart.

10.- Rest of buildings.

Although all the buildings that we show you in this section are not accessible to the general public, we believe that they are worthy of mention. And is that the geographical situation of Bilbao makes many of the neighborhoods of this city have some panoramic views to take away the hiccups. In our case, we have sneaked into the houses of our friends to show you several examples.

As you can see, the Garellano Towers, one of the last buildings of the great Bilbao, give us stunning views of the rest of Bilbao. But they are not the only buildings to do so, and is that the famous Marzana pier, offers us to follow the course of the estuary while we can see the rest of the city on the horizon, a great sight.

The 9 viewpoints of Bilbao that we have shown you are just a representation of all the spaces from which you can see the city from above. Hotels, bars and other establishments complete this peculiar list of places from where you can enjoy one of the best views of Bilbao. From TurismoVasco.com we encourage you to know them and to tell us your opinion about all of them. Ondo pasa!