One of Bilbao’s most iconic viewpoints with spectacular panoramas of the city and its surroundings mountains, the quick journey up to Mount Artxanda is a must-do for any visitor.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to get on the Funicular train, how to hike up Artxanda and what there is to do once you’re at the top.
What is Mount Artxanda?
Artxanda refers to the low-lying mountain range on Bilbao’s north-eastern flank that separates the city from the Txorierri Valley on the other side. Txorierri an industrial area that includes Bilbao Airport and towns such as Derio, Lezama, Zamudio and Larrabetzu.
A trip up Artxanda has become a typical excursion for locals and tourists alike thanks to its proximity to Bilbao’s city centre, low elevation (251m), scenic footpaths, and extraordinary views of the city, the Txorierri Valley and the Pagasarri mountain range to Bilbao’s east and south.
Most visitors take the funicular train up to the Artxanda Viewpoint, but hiking up one of the several paths is also a popular activity.
Besides the vistas, Artxanda is also home to several restaurants and hotels, as well as a public sports centre.
How to get up to Mount Artxanda?
The Artxanda Funicular
The easiest way to head up to Mount Artxanda is to get on the Artxanda Funicular Train. The bottom station is located at Funikularreko Plaza in the neighbourhood of Uribarri, about a 15-minute walk from Casco Viejo.
There are two trains which share a single track that briefly splits in two close to the halfway point. It’s a three-minute trip up to the top station. The journey itself is a delight, offering passengers incredible views of Bilbao as the train climbs up the mountain sides.
We recommend trying to get into the bottom compartment, above where the conductor sits, for the best views. But please be aware this space is normally reserved for prams, so could be difficult on busy days.
Length: 770.34 meters.
Height Difference: 226.49 meters.
Maximum Steepness: 44.98%.
Artxanda funicular times & prices
Trains leave every 15 minutes. From Monday to Saturday, the funicular runs from 07:15 until 22:00, while on Sundays and public holidays the stations open at 08:15.
From June to September, the service runs until 23:00 on Fridays, Saturday and the day before bank holiday. During Aste Nagusia (Bilbao’s big week of festivities), the funicular train takes passengers until 00:00.
With a Barik Card
A single journey is €0.42 with a standard Barik card.
TIP – If you plan on staying in Bilbao for a long time, or if you intend to do a lot of travelling, purchase a Barik card. You can use it on public transport throughout Bizkaia and you’ll save a fortune. Check out our Bilbao public transport guide for more information.
Without a Barik card
Single – €3
Return – €5
Artxanda Funicular history
It was constructed in 1915, with the help of Von Roll, a Swiss engineering company specialising in Alpine transport solutions.
Since then, the railway has undergone several renovations, most notably after the Spanish Civil War and in 1983 to repair damage from floods of the same year and a serious accident in 1976. The last remodelling took place in 2025, with the bottom and top stations being modernised.
Hiking up to Mount Artxanda
For the more adventurous types, there are several different routes if you fancy walking up to, or down from, the Artxanda viewpoint.
It takes about an hour to walk up if you start from Plaza Moyua. The main routes are sign-posted and either pass through the neighbourhood next to the funicular, called Ciudad Jardin, La Salve Bridge or up through Casco Viejo, all connecting with Bilbao’s Green Ring towards the top.
Buses up to Mount Artxanda
Several buses have routes that includes different parts of the Mount Artxanda range. The main bus route is the A7 Bilbobus (the red ones), a circular line which goes through the Puente Arenal (next to the Arriaga Theatre), Plaza Moyua and Deusto, climbing up to Artxanda via Enekuri.
For more information about how buses work in Bilbao and Bizkaia, take a look at our guide to buses in the city.
Things to do at Mount Artxanda?
Artxanda Viewpoint
Once you’ve arrived to Mount Artxanda, you should head to the 360º viewing area. If you’ve taken the funicular, simply turn left at leaving the top station and walk 100 metres or so until you reach the viewpoint lined by the red ‘Bilbao-Bilbo’ perimeter.
You will be able to clearly see the city’s most prominent attractions such as the Guggenheim Museum, Alhondiga-Azkuna Zentroa, Torre Iberdrola, Santiago Cathedral, the Basilica of Begoña, Bilbao Arena, San Mames and much more.
Besides that, the viewpoint offers stunning panoramas of the Pagasarri mountain range and if it’s a nice day you should be able to see all the way to Getxo and the Bay of Biscay.
The other side the Artxanda Viewpoint offers visitors a look at the Txorierri Valley, with Bilbao Airport’s runway in plain sight.
Restaurants close to Mount Artxanda
There are a few very decent restaurants on Mount Artxanda, the most famous being Txakoli Simón. A family restaurant born out of a farmhouse and a small txakoli vinyard, Txakoli Simón has been serving some of Bilbao’s best txuleta (rib steak) since the 18th century.
This iconic steakhouse located a bit further into the mountain range, about a twenty-minute walk from the Artxanda Viewpoint.
Address: Cam. de San Roque Bidea, 89
Website: txakolisimon.com
Instagram: txakolisimon_
Just a two-minute walk down the road, you can find the brilliant Txakoli Jatetxea. This restaurant offers traditional Basque cuisine, such as Bacalao pil-pil (cod in pil-pil sauce) and Basque cheesecake.
Txakoli Jatetxea’s defining characteristic is without a doubt its extraordinary views of Bilbao and the surrounding mountains.
Address: Ctra. Artxanda, Egirleta Errepidea, 19
Website: eltxakoli.net
Instagram: restauranteltxakoli
Mount Artxanda hotels
If you’re looking for more scenic, perhaps more tranquil accommodation for your stay in Bilbao, choosing lodgings on Mount Artxanda could be a good option for you.
Many of the establishments in this area belong to traditional Basque Country farmhouses or vinyard houses called a ‘Baserri’ (‘caserio’ in Spanish) – essentially a type of cottage.
Lasaileku
Just across the road from Txakoli Simón, Lasaileku is a stunning mansion which has been converted into six spaces for guests. Rooms available are a suite with a balcony, a penthouse room with a terrace, double rooms, triple rooms with a garden view and a loft with a garden view.
Amenities include free parking, free WIFI, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and breakfast.
Booking.com rating: 8.0 (127 reviews)
Hotel Artxanda Bilbao
A ten-minute walk from the viewpoint, the charming Hotel Artxanda comes with some extraordinary views of Bilbao and green mountains around the city.
A petit hotel, it offers five kinds of room: single room, double room, twin room (two single beds), triple room (three single beds) and a quadruple room (four single beds). Free parking and free WIFI are also included.
Booking.com rating: 7.8 (740 reviews)
Caserio Urikosolo
A converted ‘Baserri’ – a traditional Basque rural cottage – Caserio Urikosolo is a stunning space to spend your holiday in Bilbao.
The farmhouse has five double bedrooms and three bathrooms, plus a living room and family rooms.
It also comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, a dining room, an outdoor terrace, gardens, a picnic area and a barbecue.
Booking.com rating: 9.9 (46 reviews)
