Vizcaya Bridge
Bizkaiko Zubia / Puente de Bizkaia
The world's oldest transporter bridge (1893). A gondola carries people and cars across the estuary, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Vizcaya Bridge spans the mouth of the Nervión River, connecting Portugalete and Las Arenas. Designed by Alberto de Palacio, a student of Gustave Eiffel, it opened in 1893 and was the first suspended transporter bridge in the world. Steel girders hold up a gondola that carries pedestrians and vehicles across the river every few minutes, running day and night all year. The fare is very low. The bridge was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2006.
For an extra fee, you can take a lift to a walkway about 50 metres up at the top of the bridge and cross the estuary from above, with views of the port and the sea. Tickets cost around €10, though check on site.
Getting there: take metro Line 1 to Areeta station or Line 2 to Portugalete station, then walk for about 5 to 10 minutes. It is a good idea to combine your visit with a walk around the old town of Portugalete.
Opening hours
Gondola runs all day; top walkway approx. 10:00–19:00 (shorter in winter)
Nearby sights
- Algorta Old Port (Puerto Viejo)
- San Mamés Stadium & Athletic Club Museum
- Itsasmuseum Bilbao
- Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall
- Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
- Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park
- Bilbao Fine Arts Museum
- Azkuna Zentroa