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Is the Bilbao Funicular Worth It & Tips for a Great Visit

There is no denying that I have a deep love and respect for Spain’s Basque Country. It was not until my most recent visit to Bilbao that my mom and I rode the Bilbao funicular up to Artxanda Mountain to see what this viewpoint had to offer.

So, was it worth it? The short answer is yes absolutely! I can’t believe it took me until my fifth trip to Bilbao to ride the Funicular de Artxanda.

The views of Bilbao city and the panorama of the surrounding hillsides were spectacular. We visited during the winter and were blessed with sunny skies and very few people. It was so clear we had visibility of the sea to the Bay of Biscay.

In this short guide about the Artxanda funicular, I’ll include some general information and helpful tips to have a smooth experience on Bilbao’s cable car.

Table of Contents

Where is the Bilbao Funicular?

The lower Artxanda Funicular station is located in the Funikularreko Plaza

In Bilbao Spain, the bottom station of the Artxanda Funicular is found at the Funikularreko Plaza or Plaza del Funicular. Here’s where to find it on Google Maps.

This plaza is a casual 15 or 20-minute walk from the Guggenheim Museum. There are a few different walking routes, but you’ll have to cross the Rio Nervión no matter what route you choose.

The two main walking route coming from the Guggenheim Museum are the Salbeko Bridge or the Zubizuri Bridge. The towering Salbeko bridge provides spectacular views looking back at the famed Guggenheim Museum but is also quite busy with car. Alternatively, follow the Nervión River for a bit and cross at the famous pedestrian bridge of Zubizuri.

If coming from Bilbao’s unmissable Old Town, it’s a lovely 20-minute walk along the Nervión River.

The nearest metro station to the Artxanda Funicular is Matiko (L3). If traveling by tram, exit at Uribitarte to cross the Zubizuri Bridge. It’s about a 5-minute walk to the Funikularreko Plaza.

Overview of Artxanda Funicular Prices & Hours

the bright red car on the Bilbao funicular at the top station
The Artxanda Cable Car moves up Monte Artxanda in around 3 minutes

The Funicular de Artxanda opening hours vary depending on the season.

Typically, the cable car opens between 7:15 & 8:15 depending on the day, and runs until 22:00. During weekends and public holidays the hours can be extended or limited.

➜ Always check the official website for the most current operating hours

The cable cars run between the bottom and top station every 15 minutes and coast from point to point in about 3 minutes.

Bilbao Funicular Ticket Prices

Tickets for the Funicular de Artxanda can be bought as one-way or roundtrip tickets.

Artxanda Funicular Ticket Prices | One-Way Ticket: €2.50 | Round Trip Ticket: €4.30

There is no need to book a ticket in advance unless you are traveling with a large group.

General Tips for Visiting Artxanda Mountain

a view of Bilbao city as the Bilbao funicular moves through a tunnel under a road
Savoring the views on the Bilbao Funicular

My mom visited the Guggenheim Museum in the early morning while I went to explore Getxo and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Vizcaya Bridge. After our separate excursions, the sun was shining bright and we decided to take the scenic walk to the funicular station and ride up to the Artxanda observation deck.

Here are some of my best tips for utilizing the Bilbao funicular to visit Mount Artxanda.

Purchase a Barik Card

If you want to save money on the rather steep ticket price for the Artxanda Funicular, purchase a Barik Card. For us, each ride was under 40 cents! The Barik Card paid for itself on the funicular ride alone.

These Bilbao transit cards are good for local buses, trams, and the metro lines. Barik cards can be purchased at a majority of the metro stations and the Artxanda Funicular for 3 Euros. The minimum price to pay for the card is 5 Euros, so you’ll have an automatic 2 Euro credit.

Simply recharge or top off the card as needed.

The Barik Card can also be used to cross the famous Vizcaya Bridge and we used it on the trams in Vitoria-Gasteiz. This card was more than worth the initial 3 Euro investment for us.

Additionally, if moving to nearby cities like San Sebastian, the card also works on Euskotren.

For tourists, some people opt for the Bilbao Bizkaia Card, which is similar but is for the duration of your visit from 24, 48, and 72 hours. This card covers transit and comes with special perks set up by the Bilbao Tourist Information Center.

Choose a Clear Day to take the Bilbao Funicular

Ride the Bilbao Funicular up to Monte Arxanda to get panoramic views of Bilbao city and the surrounding hillsides
The views from the Artxanda Funicular include the Guggenheim Museum, the Nervión River, rolling hills of the Basque countryside, and on a clear day to the sea

If you have a few days in Bilbao, Artxanda Mountain is best appreciated on a clear day to have the best visibility.

There is a lot of green space to enjoy the panoramic views at your leisure. If looking for more of a nature-based adventure, take the funicular up to the observation deck and then hike back down to the city.

There is a grocery store next door to the bottom funicular station, so make sure to grab some food items to enjoy a picnic at the top if hiking down.

We also visited the observation deck during the time Spain typically enjoys its lunch. This could also be a reason why we had the place nearly to ourselves.

Psst… Visiting nearby San Sebastian? Don’t miss the funicular up Monte Igueldo, one of the three mountains in San Sebastian.

Bilbao Funicular Useful Tips

simple black and white sign showing Artxandako Funikularra has been running in Bilbao for over 100 year (1915 - 2015)
A signboard at the station commemorating the operation of Artxandako Funikularra for over 100 years!
  • There is a public toilet near the top of the funicular station
  • Riding the Artxanda Funicular is participating in history as the cable car has been in operation for over 100 years. The Bilbao cable car has been up and running since 1915
  • At the top of the funicular, there are two restaurants within a 5-minute walk: Txakoli Jatetxea and Txakoli Ballano
  • Alternatively, the street leading to the lower funicular station, Múgica y Butrón Kalea, is lined with awesome restaurants. We had a great menu del dia at Novecento before riding the funicular up to Mount Artxanda.

Pets & Bikes

Pets can ride the Artxanda funicular. Look for the designated compartment. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be transported in a carrier.

Those with bikes can also use the Bilbao funicular. The second car is almost always designated for bike transport.

Conclusion | Is the Bilbao Funicular Worth It?

the bright red signboard of Bilbao seen from the observation deck on Monte Artxanda with the city, mountains, river, and colorful sky in the backdrop
The observation deck at the top of Funicular de Artxanda with the Bilbao signboard

In short, the Bilbao funicular is definitely worth a visit. We were blown away by the beauty of the panoramic views of Bilbao, the Nervión River, and the rolling green hills of the Basque countryside.

Riding the Bilbao funicular up to Monte Artxanda is one of the best things to do in Bilbao. The views will leave you feeling wowed! Every time I return to Bilbao I am impressed by how cool this city is and how many treasures it offers.

Bilbao is one of my favorite places to visit in the Basque Country.

This quick guide to the Artxanda Funicular includes where to find the bottom cable car station, how to get there, and useful tips for utilizing the funicular railway.

Have you gone up to Mount Artxanda via the Funicular de Artxanda or do you prefer the hike? What did you think of the Bilbao funicular? Were you equally impressed with the views? Let me know in the comments below!

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