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Bilbao ferry port

Bilbao ferry port is at Zierbena, 21km from Bilbao city, in the Pais Vasco region. It's perfect for exploring this region of Spain or heading south into Castila y Léon.

Bilbao port address

Terminal de Brittany Ferries
Puerto de Bilbao
Muelle A3
48508

Tel: +34 9 02 108 147
GPS co-ordinates: 43.35378, -3.07035

By car

From the A-8 motorway take the exit 130 for N-644 towards Portua/Santurtzi. Continue on N-644 and then follow the yellow signs for 'ferry' which will direct you to the port.

Bilbao city centre is about 20 minutes away by car. From Bilbao it is roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to the French border, 3 hours to Zaragoza, 4 hours to Madrid and 6 hours to Barcelona.

By metro

The nearest station to the port is Santurtzi, approximately 3km from the terminal (a 5 minute taxi ride away).

Santurtzi is the last stop on Line 2 and goes direct to the city centre of Bilbao. For more information visit www.metrobilbao.net

There is no public transport directly to the ferry terminal.

By taxi

Taxis can be booked through Parada de Taxis de Santurtzi (Tel +34 94 461 03 56).

A taxi from from the the terminal to Santurtzi metro station is approximately 10€.

By train

Bilbao train station is at Plaza Circular 2. There are direct trains to major Spanish cities and the whole of the Iberian Peninsula. 

Trains to Madrid leave twice a day and take around 6 to 7 hours.

Check-in advice

Please allow the following check-in times. Your departure time will be printed on your e-ticket. 

Type of booking Minimum check-in time
Standard ferry or holiday booking 45 minutes
For disabled passengers or passengers with reduced mobility 60 minutes
Travelling with pets departing from the UK 60 minutes
Travelling with pets departing from France or Spain 90 minutes
Group bookings (10+) 90 minutes
When carrying dangerous goods 60 minutes

Facilities

The terminal in Bilbao is small and offers limited facilities including toilets.

 
 Snack bar
 
 Muzzled dogs on a lead are allowed in all areas of the port

Travelling with dogs

Once you're past check-in, your pet must stay in the vehicle.

Disabled facilities

 
 Wheelchair-accessible building
 
 Disabled toilets in terminal
 
 Transport provided for foot passengers with reduced mobility
 
 Wheelchair from ship in case of emergencies

There is no gangway in Bilbao so foot passengers access the ship via a lift or the escalator at the stern of the ship (escalator on Cap Finistère only)

Parking

The port car park is available for short and long-stay parking including parking overnight. There are disabled parking spaces and spaces for caravans and motorhomes. Your vehicle is parked at your own risk.

For 10:30 morning departures, you can check-in between 16:00 to 19:00 and stay overnight with your vehicle in the vehicle check-in lanes. Your vehicle is parked at your own risk and should not be left unattended. Toilet facilities are available overnight.

Got a few hours to spare?

If you have a few hours to spare before your sailing, then why not check out some of the great attractions in Bilbao? 

Guggenheim Bilbao

Drive: 24 mins (19km)

An extraordinary and instantly recognisable building that could only have been crafted by one man - Frank Gehry. With its undulating curves of steel, the Guggenheim is a landmark on Bilbao's skyline. 

The museum sits beside the river and its art isn't just confined within the building - before you even step inside you'll see the monstrous spider sculpture, Maman, and Jeff Koons' Puppy - a huge dog made of flowers.

Once inside you'll find that there's plenty of the modern art gang here - works by Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko and Yves Klein are all on show as well as Basque artists, such as Eduardo Chillida and Horge Oteiza.

Casca Viejo

Drive: 25 mins (23.3km)

Casca Viejo is the old part of the city and some of it dates as far back as the 14th century. The place you really want to visit for a medieval flavour is Siete Calles - the Seven Streets. 

Here you'll find an Aladdin's cave of boutiques and curios, local food and local people. And most especially, an assortment of pintxos bars. It's the perfect place to pick up some gifts and souvenirs before heading for your sailing home.

Mercado de la Ribera

Drive: 24 mins (22.8km)

This stunning Art Deco building, sitting on the riverbank, was in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest covered market in Europe. Within its 10,000 sqm are a huge number of stalls that will please even the most discerning foodie.

Even if you're not buying, it's worth a look around to soak up the sights and smells of so much mouthwatering fresh produce and gastronomic delicacies. There's a wealth of fish and seafood for those who love their food from the sea.

And there's also a restaurant and several bars. Sit back and enjoy a drink and some pintxos on the terrace overlooking the river.

Find an en route hotel

You can choose any hotel from the selection on this website for accommodation en route to or from your holiday destination and at our ports in France and Spain - all include breakfast and prices shown will be reduced as they include some ferry travel costs.

For a quote or to add one of these to your booking, please call our Reservations centre at the number below.

Where is it?

Terminal de Brittany Ferries
Puerto de Bilbao
48508
Bilbao
Spain

Bilbao ferry port location

Latitude: 43.35378, Longitude: -3.07035