Book cheap flights to Bilbao

Being a coastal city, you can expect mild temperatures throughout the year. Bilbao has the ideal weather as winters are not too harsh and the summer months are never uncomfortably hot. From May to October, the city’s beaches are filled with eager swimmers. The coldest months in the city are January and February. To fully experience the vibrancy of the city, plan to visit in August. Festivals and events are held during this time; enjoy the city fiesta with local music, street theatre and fireworks. You can witness the city come to life.

South African Passport holders require a Schengen Visa as Spain is a Schengen country.

Passports may not be older than 10 years, must have 2 blank pages and be valid for at least 3 months beyond your date of departure from the Schengen state.

Contact details for the Consulate General of South Africa in Bilbao, Spain are:

South African Honorary Consulate General in Bilbao, Spain

Las Mercedes, 31, Edificio Abra, 48930 Las Arenas.

Telephone: ( 34) 94 464 1124 / ( 34) 94 480 0328.

Fax: ( 34) 94 464 1124.

Email: clerchundi@cgac.es

There are no serious health risks to be concerned about. Visitors to Bilbao do not require any vaccinations and the food hygiene is good. In cases of minor incidents, there are pharmacies across the city that will be of assistance to you. There are suitable hospitals too, if a serious injury occurs, during your visit. Medical aid is quite expensive in Spain. Take precaution and ensure that you have medical cover before leaving for Bilbao.

Bilbao is not known to have a high crime rate but it is always best to be cautious in unfamiliar territory. There is the obvious risk of being pickpocketed. Be sure to be aware of your valuables when walking around the city. Maintain vigilance of people in groups as they may be trying to engage you in conversation as the next person takes your wallet or other valuables.

Tapas heaven, Casco Viejo is an old town with incredible winding streets and old buildings. It is packed with cafes and shops including one of the largest retail markets in Europe, Mercado de la Ribera. It is quite lively and loud.

If you are hoping for a neighbourhood that is relatively quiet, Abando is the ideal area. The upscale neighbourhood runs along the river and is a short distance from the Guggenheim Museum.

Depending on your budget, visitors have the option of staying in a high – priced or cheap hotel. Hostels and renting apartments are also available for the convenience of your holiday in Bilbao.

On foot and strolling through the streets is perfectly great in Bilbao, as the main tourist attractions are reasonably close together. The train services can be used to get to the beaches and villages. The metro covers the main points of the city and runs from 6am every day.

The urban bus network covers all the districts in the city, operating from 6am to 11pm. Tourists can also hop on board Bilbao’s Eusko Tren tramline which runs between Basurti, southwest of the city, and the Atxuri train station.