Artxanda Funicular in Bilbao: Is the Ride Worth It for the View?
Updated October 22, 2026 · 4 min read
The answer first. Yes, and you do not need a tour for it. The Artxanda funicular is a short public-transport ride from central Bilbao to a hill with a view over the whole city, and it is one of the best things to do on a clear day for the price of a transport ticket. The only tour we found that includes it is a walking tour.
What it is
The funicular opened in 1915 and climbs about 770 metres, rising roughly 226 metres, in around three minutes. The lower station is just north of the Zubizuri footbridge on the right bank of the Nervión, within walking distance of the Guggenheim Museum. At the top, Artxanda is a recreation area with viewpoints looking back over the estuary and the old town.
When it runs and what it costs
The funicular runs every day. In winter, from 1 October to 31 May, trains run from 7.15 am to 10 pm Monday to Saturday and from 8.15 am on Sundays and public holidays. In summer, from 1 June to 30 September, Friday and Saturday evenings run later, until 11 pm. Trains leave roughly every 10 to 15 minutes.
Tickets are sold at the stations, and a Barik transport card gives a cheaper fare than a paper ticket. The fare is revised from time to time, so check the current price on Bilbao’s public-transport site rather than relying on a figure printed here.
Making the most of it
Choose a clear day. On a grey one, the view you are paying for may not exist. Late afternoon tends to give the city the best light, but that is a matter of taste rather than a rule. Allow an hour or so at the top for the view and a walk, and more if you plan to eat there.
The funicular is also a useful way to avoid a long walk. If you are already at the Guggenheim, the lower station is close by, so the ride combines easily with a morning at the museum. Our Guggenheim guide covers how much time to allow there.
The tour that includes it
The walking tour on the Guggenheim effect with the Artxanda funicular starts outside the Guggenheim, explains how the museum changed the city, includes the city view from the funicular and finishes inside a cultural centre. It lasts three hours, costs €37 and is rated 5.0, but that rests on nine reviews, so it is a promising sample, not a verdict.
Our recommendation
Ride it by yourself. It costs little, needs no booking and takes minutes. Book the walking tour only if you want the story of Bilbao’s change told on the way. For more guided walks, see walking tours in Bilbao, or browse things to do in Bilbao.
