Portugalete Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Portugalete
Photo by Nicole Smelson
Photo by Nicole Smelson
Photo by Nicole Smelson
Photo "Portugalete" by Fred Romero (CC BY) / Cropped from original

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?

Puente Colgante Boutique Hotel

Puente Colgante Boutique Hotel

4 out of 5
Maria Diaz de Haro Kalea, 2, Portugalete, Vizcaya
The price is ₹10,978 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹10,978
₹12,076 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Portugalete. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Port of Bilbao ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (483 reviews)
"Great location, outside of city centre but easily accessible via train. Great local area, lots of bars, restaurants etc. The restaurant in the hotel is also fantastic and excellent service is provided. Rooms are spacious and clean and worth paying extra for a view of the bridge."

Reviewed on 10 Jun 2025

Puente Colgante Boutique Hotel
Hotel ILUNION San Mamés

Hotel ILUNION San Mamés

4 out of 5
Calle Perez Galdos, 56, Bilbao, Vizcaya
The price is ₹11,071 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹11,071
₹12,178 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (755 reviews)
"Supper nice"

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Hotel ILUNION San Mamés
Hotel Silken Indautxu Bilbao

Hotel Silken Indautxu Bilbao

4 out of 5
Plaza Bombero Etxaniz S/n, Bilbao, Vizcaya
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹10,527 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
₹10,527
₹11,580 total
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (984 reviews)
A good base
"Perfectly located for a base for getting around the city, bright, cool and tidy room. Check in was very easy, all staff we encountered were very helpful. Used the breakfast restaurant one morning, wasn't great"

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Hotel Silken Indautxu Bilbao
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.
Batimont Suites & Apartments

Batimont Suites & Apartments

4 out of 5
Colón de Larreátegui K. 13, Bilbao, Bizkaia
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and San ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (49 reviews)
"Muy buena ubicación, muy cómodo."

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2025

Batimont Suites & Apartments
Spirit Apartamentos Atxuri

Spirit Apartamentos Atxuri

2 out of 5
Av de Miraflores 17, Bilbao, Vizcaya
Stay at this aparthotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and a 24-hour health club. Popular attractions Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and San Mames ...
7.6/10 Good! (299 reviews)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on 6 Jun 2025

Spirit Apartamentos Atxuri
Apartamentos Líbere Bilbao Museo

Apartamentos Líbere Bilbao Museo

3.5 out of 5
Alameda de Mazarredo, 57, Bilbao, Bizkaia
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and San Mames Stadium ...
9/10 Wonderful! (65 reviews)
"Travelled with friend to see a concert, from the moment we arrived at the apartment our hosts Nerea and James could not do enough for us! Lovely location,buses and trains within walking distance, We had a great tome"

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

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.

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