Landing at Bilbao (BIO) and picking up a rental car? Turn the arrival day into the first highlight. These three worked-out drives serve three kinds of holiday: the Basque coast, the Rioja wine región and the high mountains of the Picos de Europa. Each is written out both ways, with every stop in Google Maps and a GPX.
The Basque coast drive from Bilbao Airport to San Sebastian vía Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka, Lekeitio and Getaria. Both directions, with every stop in Google Maps.
See the route →The wine drive from Bilbao Airport to Laguardia and the Rioja Alavesa vía the Balcon de la Rioja, Labastida and Elciego. Both directions in Google Maps.
See the route →From Bilbao Airport along the Cantabrian coast and through the La Hermida gorge to Potes and the Picos de Europa. Both directions in Google Maps.
See the route →| Destination | Landscape | Distance and driving time | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Sebastian | Basque coast | approx. 130 km · approx. 3 h 30 | coast, harbours, pintxos |
| Laguardia and the Rioja | wine mountains | approx. 140 km · approx. 2 h 45 | wine, mountain pass, villages |
| Potes and the Picos | coast and high mountains | approx. 190 km · approx. 3 h 30 | mountains, gorge, nature |
The rental desks are by the arrivals hall of Bilbao Airport (BIO). Book online in advance, almost always cheaper than at the desk. For these drives you usually go there and back from Bilbao, so no drop-off fee; to return the car elsewhere, check the one-way rules. Fill up before you bring the car back.
With a morning flight you can take one of the longer drives (Picos or the full coast) at ease. If you land in the afternoon, choose the Rioja or a shortened coast drive and save the rest for a day trip. After a late landing, do not drive a long mountain route in the dark; take the fast road and drive the scenic route the next day.
No, an ordinary rental car is fine for all three routes; the roads are paved. Drive the mountain passes, the coast road and the La Hermida gorge calmly and you will manage everywhere.
Within Spain a one-way is usually possible, but expect a drop-off fee; check it in advance. These three routes are set up as round trips from Bilbao, so for those you simply return the car to Bilbao.
For beach and city, choose the coast drive to San Sebastian. For wine and culture, the Rioja at Laguardia. For nature and mountains, the Picos de Europa. The comparison table above sets them side by side.
Yes. The rental desks are in the arrivals hall. These routes need no special car; an ordinary rental car is fine. Drive the mountain roads and the La Hermida gorge calmly.
Yes. You open each route free in Google Maps with every stop in it, and there is a GPX per direction. You never pay us for exports.