Portugalete Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Portugalete
Portugalete is a pretty fishing village on the shores of the Bilbao estuary that still conserves its fascinating medieval charm.

Like many of the places near Bilbao, Portugalete owes much of its current look to the industrialisation that took place in the 19th century, which, with the arrival of the train and its hanging bridge, boosted the local economy and renovated the town, giving an elegant, stately charm to many of its streets and squares.

During your holidays to Portugalete, you won’t want to miss the monument that truly transformed the town’s development. The iron Hanging Bridge of Biscay, by architect Alberto de Palacio, was built towards the end of the 19th century to join Getxo and Portugalete, located on either side of the River Nervión It is remarkable not only due to its practical role as the first transport bridge that allowed more than one ship to pass through the estuary at the same time, but also for its aesthetical appeal.

If you plan your trip carefully, it won’t be hard to find cheap trips to Portugalete to enjoy its medieval old quarter, with monuments such as the Basilica of Santa María, a Gothic-Renaissance style church, or the Torre Salazar tower, which dates back to the 15th century. You’ll definitely want to take a stroll along the promenade, which is made up of three distinct areas: the iron docks, the new Churruca docks and the old docks, where you’ll find the old train station, a 19th-century building that is now home to the Tourist Office.

After a long day’s walk, you’ll want to try some of the local food. You’ll be glad to know that Portugalete is famous for its love of wine: locals are known as jarrilleros, which refers to the glasses (jarras) of txakoli, a local fresh white wine that you’ll find in any bar in the town.

What other reasons could you need to book your package deal to Portugalete and enjoy a wonderful stay on the coast of Biscay?

Hotel Gran Bilbao
Hotel Gran Bilbao
4 out of 5
Indalecio Prieto Hiribidea, 1, Bilbao, Vizcaya
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹7,391 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
₹7,391
per night
9 Jun - 10 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
9/10 Wonderful! (997 reviews)
"Nice hotel with a good bar in the lobby and a decent restaurant. The room was spacious and clean but lacked in interior decorating - a couple of pictures on the walls was about all. The biggest downside was that the room was hot at night as, like others we encountered on this trip, they had the heat ..."

Reviewed on 28 Apr 2024

Hotel Gran Bilbao
Puente Colgante Boutique Hotel
Puente Colgante Boutique Hotel
4 out of 5
Maria Diaz de Haro Kalea, 2, Portugalete, Vizcaya
The price is ₹9,914 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
₹9,914
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge).
8.6/10 Excellent! (417 reviews)
Brilliant service
"Bilbo’s celebrated football championship and, despite the busy days, staff made us feel special, welcome and well cared for."

Reviewed on 16 Apr 2024

Puente Colgante Boutique Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Bilbao, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Bilbao, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
Zarandoa Kalea, 5, Derio, Vizcaya
The price is ₹8,204 per night from 10 Jun to 11 Jun
₹8,204
per night
10 Jun - 11 Jun
Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Early airport shuttle (5am) with a few items got breakfast& coffee before catching it"

Reviewed on 12 May 2024

Holiday Inn Express Bilbao, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
B48 Abando
B48 Abando
4 out of 5
Buenos Aires Kalea 15, Bilbao
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, cable TV channels and air conditioning.
9/10 Wonderful! (13 reviews)
"This was a terrific find! Very comfortable, in the heart of everything, and good communication. Electronic checkin worked fine and the only time we needed something it was promptly and efficiently attended to."

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

B48 Abando
Bilbao City Center by abba Suites
Bilbao City Center by abba Suites
3.5 out of 5
Calle Huertas de la Villa 15, Bilbao, Bilbao
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and premium TV channels. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (176 reviews)
"After three weeks traveling around Spain we wanted to end our trip in a quiet, more “roomier” place than a hotel room. ABBA Suites was perfect! A well-equipped kitchen for the 3 days that we were there, a block away from a grocery store and a 15-minute walk to the Guggenheim Museum. The Old Town ..."

Reviewed on 3 May 2024

Bilbao City Center by abba Suites
Apartamentos Líbere Bilbao Museo
Apartamentos Líbere Bilbao Museo
3.5 out of 5
Alameda Rekalde 1, Bilbao, Bizkaia
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an airport shuttle (surcharge) and dry cleaning or laundry services.
9/10 Wonderful! (31 reviews)
"Getting into building compicated"

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2024

Apartamentos Líbere Bilbao Museo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Portugalete

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
" "5 - Excellent 66.66666666666667%
4 - Good
1
" "4 - Good 33.333333333333336%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

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