Puente Zubizuri
"White bridge" in Basque: a pedestrian footbridge designed by Santiago Calatrava in 1997. Its glazed arch over the Nervión is a symbol of Bilbao's urban transformation. Crossing is free and offers the best views toward the Guggenheim and the Isozaki towers.
The essentials
- Tickets
- gratis
What the Zubizuri is and why it's worth the stop
The Zubizuri is the white pedestrian footbridge that crosses the Nervión estuary, linking Campo Volantín (right bank) with Paseo de Uribitarte (left bank), just two minutes' walk from the Guggenheim. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava: the idea dates back to 1990, the City Council's formal commission didn't arrive until 1994, and it opened on 30 May 1997, a few months before the museum itself (October 1997). That's why locals in Bilbao often simply call it "the Calatrava bridge." Its real name, Zubizuri, means "white bridge" in Basque, after the white-painted steel arch from which the deck hangs. That deck is what makes it distinctive: translucent glass tiles instead of asphalt. It also has a less pleasant story that hardly anyone mentions: in 2006 the City Council authorised Arata Isozaki to build a walkway connecting the bridge to the Isozaki Towers, which meant cutting one of the original steel bars. Calatrava sued for violation of his moral rights as the author, seeking three million euros; in 2009 the Provincial Court of Bizkaia ruled in his favour and ordered the Council to pay 30,000 euros. Knowing that changes how you look at the photo.
Price, opening hours and when it's less crowded
It's free, with no tickets, ticket office or online booking: it's a public pedestrian right of way. That's also why it's open 24 hours, with no enclosure or nightly closing like fenced-off monuments have. We don't have data on capacity limits or scheduled closures, but if you're on a tight schedule it's worth checking Bilbao Turismo in case of works in the area before you go. There are no queues in the classic sense; what there is, is foot traffic. Mid-morning and in the afternoon the bridge turns into a highway of people heading to or from the Guggenheim, and getting a photo without heads in it takes patience. The two windows that work best are early morning, with the estuary calm, and dusk or after dark, when the structure's white lighting reflects on the water. Allow 5-10 minutes and you'll have plenty of time to cross it and take photos.
How to get there and warnings from people who've already crossed it
The most direct option is the Euskotran tram: the Guggenheim and Uribitarte stops are just a few metres from the bridge. On Metro Bilbao, use Moyua or San Mamés, though from there you'll need to walk 10 to 15 minutes along the estuary (a pleasant stroll, not a chore). Bilbobus runs lines that stop around the Guggenheim/Abandoibarra area; it's worth checking the exact number on the Bilbobus website, as we haven't been able to confirm it. The important warning is about the floor: the glass paving gets slippery when it rains, and it rains a lot in Bilbao. There have been enough complaints and slips that the surface has since been adjusted, so on a wet day walk slowly and hold the handrail if you're with children or luggage. The natural move is to combine it with the Guggenheim, two minutes away, and continue the walk along the estuary towards the Town Hall or Abandoibarra.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay an entrance fee or book to cross the Zubizuri?
How much time do I need to see it?
What's the best time to go without crowds?
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you book through them, Andelaria may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Transparency & affiliate policy
Book tickets and tours: Puente Zubizuri· gratisPlan your trip
Book the essentials for your trip to Bilbao.
Other places in Bilbao
Museo Guggenheim Bilbao
museoThe most photogenic building of the 20th century: Frank Gehry clad it in 24,000 titanium panels that shift color with the light. Since 1997 it has housed contemporary art by Koons, Serra and Bourgeois. The spider sculpture Maman at the entrance stands 9 meters tall. Free for under-18s.
Casco Viejo (Siete Calles)
barrioFounded in the 14th century by Diego López de Haro, the medieval maze of the Siete Calles is Bilbao's beating heart: pintxos on Calle Somera, markets, the Catedral de Santiago and the Plaza Nueva. A pedestrian zone since 1979. Free access.
Mercado de la Ribera
mercadoEurope's largest covered market: 10,000 m² beside the Puente de San Antón, opened in 1929 to an Art Deco design by Pedro Ispizua. Three floors with 60 stalls selling fresh fish, produce and pintxos — perfect for an authentic local lunch.
Puente Colgante de Vizcaya
puenteThe world's first transporter bridge (1893), a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006. Designed by Alberto de Palacio, a disciple of Eiffel, it spans the Nervión estuary at 45 m, linking Getxo and Portugalete. Riding the pedestrian gondola costs about €8.
Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao
museoOne of Spain's finest museums: 10,000 pieces spanning the 12th century to today, including El Greco, Goya, Murillo, Sorolla and Francis Bacon. Founded in 1914 next to the Parque de Doña Casilda. Undergoing expansion works in 2026; partial free access.
Aste Nagusia (Semana Grande de Bilbao)
fiestaNine days of free street partying in August, no fenced-off venue required: Aste Nagusia kicks off the first Saturday after August 15th with the txupinazo in front of Teatro Arriaga and ends by burning Marijaia. Over 100 free performances across eight stages and fireworks every night over the estuary.
Bilbao BBK Live
fiestaBBK Live isn't a free street party—it's a private, ticketed festival on Mount Kobetamendi, technically within Bilbao but well outside the city center. The 20th-anniversary edition landed on July 9-11, 2026, with 12 stages and over 80 acts. Check the official site for dates and lineup.
Feria de Santo Tomás de Bilbao
fiestaEvery December 21st, without fail, Bilbao's Old Town turns into a farmers' market: the Santo Tomás Fair. Free entry, centered on the arcades of Plaza Nueva and the El Arenal area, and a very long line for talo with chorizo washed down with cider or txakoli.
Similar places in other cities
Puente de Alcántara
ToledoA medieval bridge over the Tagus built in the 13th century on Roman foundations. Its two Gothic towers and central arch frame one of Toledo's most recognizable postcard views. It links the old town with the Castillo de San Servando and marks the starting point of Toledo's Camino de Santiago.
Cases de l'Onyar i Pont de les Peixateries Velles
GironaThe colourful houses over the river and the red iron bridge built by Eiffel's firm in 1877. Girona's definitive postcard view.
Ponte Dom Luís I
PortoDouble-deck iron bridge from 1886 by a disciple of Eiffel; its upper deck is walkable with the city's finest view.