Getting There
Bilbao Airport (BIO) is located approximately 12 kilometers from the city center in the town of Loiu, about a 15-20 minute drive. The airport has no metro or train connection, so your main options are the Bizkaibus A3247 (around €3, running every 15-20 minutes to central stops including Gran Via, Plaza Moyua, and the Bilbao Intermodal bus station near San Mamés), or a taxi for €25-35. Uber and Cabify also operate from BIO, typically running €30-50 depending on demand.
Getting Around
Bilbao's Metro Bilbao system (3 lines, 48 stations, designed by Norman Foster) is clean, efficient, and the best way to move around the city, with a key stop at Santimami/San Mamés right next to Athletic Club's ground; the Tranbia tram line also links the stadium area, Guggenheim, Abando, and Casco Viejo along the river. Pick up a Barik card (€3 at any metro station machine) to get discounted fares across metro, tram, and Bizkaibus. A car is unnecessary and actively inconvenient in the city center, where parking runs €15-25 per day and many streets are one-way or pedestrian-only.
Where to Stay
The Abando/Ensanche district is the best base for sports fans: it sits on the Gran Via, is walking distance from San Mamés, has the widest range of mid-range and upscale hotels (roughly €80-170/night), and is a metro stop away from Casco Viejo for post-match pintxos. Deusto, just across the river from the stadium, offers more budget-friendly options (from around €50/night) and a lively local bar scene popular with Athletic supporters. Casco Viejo (the old town) is ideal if you want to be in the thick of pre-match atmosphere, with boutique hotels and hostels in the €45-130 range, though rooms are smaller and the streets are narrow. Book well in advance for Athletic home derbies and the Semana Grande festival in August, when the city fills up fast.
Sports Fan Notes
Athletic Club is one of Spanish football's most distinctive clubs, famously adhering to a policy of fielding only players born or raised in the Basque Country, which gives the team and its fanbase an unusually fierce regional identity that makes matchday at San Mamés one of the most atmospheric experiences in LALIGA. The fiercest rivalry is El Derbi Vasco against Real Sociedad of San Sebastián, a match that carries deep cultural and regional pride; if your trip overlaps with one, expect a city-wide buzz and book accommodation months in advance. Bilbao also sits at the heart of Basque Country, meaning a rental car after the match can get you to a Real Sociedad game in San Sebastián (about 100 km east) or an Alavés match in Vitoria-Gasteiz (about 65 km south) for a multi-stadium trip. The pintxos culture around Casco Viejo and the Ledesma street bar strip make pre- and post-match eating a destination activity in itself.
Venues in Bilbao
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from BIO to downtown Bilbao?
The cheapest option is the Bizkaibus A3247 (green buses), which departs from outside the arrivals hall every 15-20 minutes, costs around €3 (or less with a Barik card), takes about 20-30 minutes, and stops at Gran Via, Plaza Moyua, and Bilbao Intermodal near San Mamés. Taxis are faster at 15-20 minutes but cost €25-35; Uber and Cabify are also available for roughly €30-50. Note that there is no metro or train to the airport.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Bilbao for a sports trip?
Abando/Ensanche is the top pick: it puts you within walking distance of San Mamés, on the main Gran Via boulevard, with easy metro access to everywhere else in the city. Hotels here run roughly €80-170/night. If you're on a tighter budget, Deusto is just across the river from the stadium and has cheaper options from around €50/night with a strong local bar scene.
Which sports teams play in Bilbao?
Athletic Club is Bilbao's sole major professional team, competing in LALIGA at San Mamés. The club is famous for its Basque-only player policy, making it one of the most unique and storied clubs in Spanish football, with a passionate local fanbase that treats every home match as a matter of regional pride.
Is Bilbao a World Cup 2026 host city?
No, this city is not hosting any 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is hosted exclusively across the United States, Canada, and Mexico -- there are no European host cities. US host cities include New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Houston, Seattle, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Boston/Foxborough, San Francisco Bay Area, and Atlanta. Canadian host cities are Vancouver and Toronto. Mexican host cities are Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Fans looking to attend a match should look at flights to one of those North American cities.
Sports cities near Bilbao
Close enough to pair with a Bilbao trip — or to catch a game on the drive in.