All about the Artxanda Funicular in Bilbao, Spain

From the platform you can see different points such as the Guggenheim Museum, modern buildings like the Iberdrola Tower, and the airport. Look out for the spot where the river meets the sea; it is an interesting sight to see from above.

At the top of the mountain you will find a park, restaurant, hotel, and a sports complex.

The Guggenheim Museum is within walking distance from the funicular - a lovely stroll along the Nervion river and across the famous Zubizuri Bridge. During the weekend, when it is nice outside, you can see the crowds of walkers from above. 

From the Zubizuri bridge it is only a little further straight along to the funicular (Funikularreko Plaza). Both the museum and funicular are excellent starting points to a great or weekend in Bilbao!

You can also get to the funicular with the metro from the Abando and Moyua stations, which are each about a kilometre walking distance away.

The history of the Bilbao Funicular is similar to that of the Igueldo cable car in San Sebastian (1912). In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, la Belle Epoque, many visited Bilbao's Artxanda mountain to relax and have fun. There was a casino and several bars and restaurants where people came with family or friends.

Connecting the city centre to Mount Artxanda is a project that began as an idea between 1901 and 1912 to 1915. It was inspired by the funicular in San Sebastian, including the remarkable speed of 8 kilometres per hour!

Fortunately, these problems are behind us today and both locals and tourists can have fun enjoying the panoramic views thanks to the cable car. Local residents come here on the weekends with a picnic basket in hand. 

For those who would prefer to discover the Basque gastronomy wining and dining, we have a great restaurant recommendation. Once at the top of the mountain, one of the most famous restaurants in Bilbao is only a short walk away. Txakoli Simon (Camino de San Roque 89) is renowned for its excellent grilled meat (€39 menu) - a personal coal barbecue will even presented at your table

The Artxanda Funicular functions just like a regular city lift on weekdays from 7:15 to 22:00.

On holidays it operates from 8:15 to 22:00, and in the summer months (June, July, August, and September) until 23:00.

There is a cable car departure every 15 minutes, and even more frequently when it is very busy in order to prevent large queues from forming. Up to 70 people can go in each cable car. The ride itself covers over 770 metres and takes three minutes, with a maximum incline of 45°.