Rental cars in Bilbao from $42

If your trip to Bilbao is all booked but your travel itinerary is a little on the empty side, we can give you a helping hand.Think of Bilbao and then say the first thing that springs to mind. You probably said “Guggenheim Museum Bilbao,” right? Being such an iconic attraction, you can’t miss seeing it. Toss your luggage into the back seat and check it off your bucket list.Soak up the best of what this place has to offer by adding Santiago Cathedral and Zubizuri Bridge to your itinerary. If you have an extra day up your sleeve, drop by Plaza Moyua and Bilbao Fine Arts Museum too.Not far from the heart of the city, San Mames Stadium is one sight to consider putting on your must-see list. If you still have room on that itinerary, Arriaga Theater and Bilbao City Hall will keep you entertained as well.

If you’re looking for day-trip inspiration, we’ve got a couple of tips. Located 35 miles away, Gaztetape hondartza is worth jumping in the car for. Cristobal Balenciaga Museum should be at the top of your list here. Church of San Salvador and Juan Sebastián Elcano are excellent attractions too. The locals will also probably point you in the direction of Kalaburtza hondartza, 50 miles away. If you only see one thing here, make sure it’s Concha Beach. (But we’d also recommend Monte Igueldo and Monte Urgull.)

Nothing screams vacation like loading up the car with supplies and heading to the coast. Bilbao has some amazing beaches nearby, so grab a good book (and a kite if it’s breezy) and take a day trip to one of these idyllic options:

• Ereaga (7 miles away).
• Arrigunaga Beach (8 miles away).
• Sopelana Beach (9 miles away).

Hang out with the locals while you’re in Bilbao by heading to an event at one of the top convention centers. There are some exciting things on, so take a look at the schedule and set aside a date. Recommended places include:

• Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall (1 mile away).
• Bilbao Exhibition Centre (4 miles away).

Bilbao — so many things to see and do, so little time. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is just for starters. That’s why renting a car is a wise move. Explore more of the notable sights of this vibrant city with an economy or a compact car. Standstill traffic, tight streets, lane changes, and parking are made all the easier with little runabouts like these. However, if you’d rather cruise around in a little more style, why not choose a convertible? Ideal for enjoying the great weather and scenery, you can travel to the shingle seashores of the region with the top down and the wind blowing through your hair.

You’ll be glad to know that there’s a great range of both economy and luxury rental vehicles in Bilbao. What you end up going for depends on how much you’re willing to spend and what you plan to do. Specialty vehicles are all about mod cons and comfort. If you want to indulge yourself, why not grab an elite SUV, or perhaps an upmarket medium-sized sedan? On the other hand, if you’re just after something to get you from A to B as cheaply as possible, maybe go for a budget compact vehicle (or something else that won’t burn a hole in your wallet).

You’ll be motoring along the right-hand side of the road in Bilbao. Even though you may be comfortable with the traffic rules, it’s a good idea to drive a little more cautiously in a new destination.

It’s relatively easy to find somewhere to park in Bilbao, although you might find it hard to score a spot in the busiest areas. Booking a hotel that offers on-site parking will make things more convenient.

As with most cities, you can expect slightly heavier traffic in the rush hours before and after work. However, with a population of about 354,900, traffic isn’t a big concern in Bilbao.

There are. In Bilbao, speed limits range from 50km/h to 120km/h. Residential zones have a maximum speed limit of 50km/h unless stated otherwise.

Normally, one of two things will happen. Your rental car company may bill the amount stated on the fine to your credit card. This is the most common practice. Otherwise, it may provide your contact details to local law enforcement agencies so the fine is sent directly to you.

Provided you have Bluetooth or similar functions enabled, you are allowed to use your cell phone while driving in Bilbao. But ensure you keep concentrating on the road.

In Bilbao, it is an offence to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content) over 0.05%. If you’re thinking of having a drink or two, leave your rental car behind.

Turning on a red light isn’t permitted in Bilbao. Be on the lookout for traffic lights and signs so you don’t breach any road rules.

Seat belts should always be worn in Biscay. Having said that, the rule may not apply for certain vehicles, such as those operated by public transportation systems.