Accommodation in Bilbao

[Pierre Julian]

I've just realised that every hotel in Bilbao seems to be full, or out or my price range. I arrive around 8pm Friday 14th into Bilbao. Does anyone have any ideas about where I could sleep before I begin my Northern pilgrimage please? I see that there is an Albergue de peregrinos de Bilbao, would anyone know whether it is likely to have beds if I just turn up? It looks a bit out of the way, so I think I would have to head out there pretty quickly before they close at 10pm. Thanks,

 

[HighlandsHiker]

I've just realised that every hotel in Bilbao seems to be full, or out or my price range. I arrive around 8pm Friday 14th into Bilbao. Does anyone have any ideas about where I could sleep before I begin my Northern pilgrimage please? I see that there is an Albergue de peregrinos de Bilbao, would anyone know whether it is likely to have beds if I just turn up? It looks a bit out of the way, so I think I would have to head out there pretty quickly before they close at 10pm. Thanks,

Pierre, in case you're still considering this issue today, you can get on the metro and head a few km out of central Bilbao to Portugalete, which is on the Camino - there are several good options there. Next month I'm getting into Bilbao, walking to briefly see the Guggenheim, then heading out to stay at Bida Ona, close to the metro stop and Camino route.

 

[Pierre Julian]

Thanks Highlands, I'll look that up option in Portugalete up now. I've just called the Albergue de peregrinos in Bilbao, and I think that they are open and not hard to get to. It's just that on Saturday morning I want to get to Santander to continue where I left off. I'm always a bit last moment. Bilbao is well worth a look at, lovely city.

 

[HighlandsHiker]

Thanks Highlands, I'll look that up option in Portugalete up now. I've just called the Albergue de peregrinos in Bilbao, and I think that they are open and not hard to get to. It's just that on Saturday morning I want to get to Santander to continue where I left off. I'm always a bit last moment. Bilbao is well worth a look at, lovely city.

Ah, OK. You'll be taking the Feve then. Best wishes for a wonderful next Camino and if you think of it, post how you're getting along. I'll be about 5 weeks behind you and am hoping that the stretch between Bilbao and Santander is a good hike. Will go down to Oviedo at Villaviciosa and then across on the Primitivo.

 

[Pierre Julian]

Will do, thanks, Bilbao to Santander is lovely. If you can find an old post of mine, I've got a step by step of my experience of it.

 

[gerardcarey]

I was directed over the bridge behind the Guggenheim Museum then left along the road on the river bank. Maybe 100 mts down on the right was a hostel. Looked like a converted shop.
Sorry can't remember the name.
There is an information centre outside the Guggenheim.
Regards and good travelling,
Gerard

 

[Pierre Julian]

Ah, OK. You'll be taking the Feve then. Best wishes for a wonderful next Camino and if you think of it, post how you're getting along. I'll be about 5 weeks behind you and am hoping that the stretch between Bilbao and Santander is a good hike. Will go down to Oviedo at Villaviciosa and then across on the Primitivo.

Highlands Hiker, sorry it's been massively busy since returning. Santander to Ribadasella was fantastic. I'm returning on Friday for another week. Have you started yet? Hope it's all going well.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I was directed over the bridge behind the Guggenheim Museum then left along the road on the river bank. Maybe 100 mts down on the right was a hostel. Looked like a converted shop.
Sorry can't remember the name.
There is an information centre outside the Guggenheim.
Regards and good travelling,
Gerard

I think I stayed in this hostel, if it's called the Botxo. While the location is ideal, the place is iffy because it caters to anyone. And I mean anyone. As in the woman who had been staying there for a whole and went out on massive benders every night, coming back high, drunk, using her lighter to find her things in her backpack because the power is thurned off at night and, losing her meal in the hall.

Oh, and the place has three level bunks.

On that Camino I also stayed in a hostel open to anyonein Barcelona for the night of my arrival, but it had staff on site 24 hours a day. Not the Botxo. I now know to ask if there will be staff on site durong thenight, and if there isn't, I am not staying there.

 

[HighlandsHiker]

Highlands Hiker, sorry it's been massively busy since returning. Santander to Ribadasella was fantastic. I'm returning on Friday for another week. Have you started yet? Hope it's all going well.

That's so nice of you to think to write! I got to Madrid and had real problems with getting cash out of the ATMs there, although have used the same system of debit card and credit card all over Europe and elsewhere for decades. So instead of getting myself into an even worse situation, I decided to come home, regroup, arrange for more options for handling the money aspect of the trip, and will start out for only the Primitivo in early June. So, I did the Camino de Madrid from Madrid to Madrid:0).

You have quite a resume' of Caminos! I'll have to get back later in the summer to do the Norte, since it sounds like Santander to Ribadesella was so good - I have some family obligations in July and early August that have to be back for. I'm glad to hear you can go back soon do do another section and will hope to hear how you liked it!

 

[Pierre Julian]

That's so nice of you to think to write! I got to Madrid and had real problems with getting cash out of the ATMs there, although have used the same system of debit card and credit card all over Europe and elsewhere for decades. So instead of getting myself into an even worse situation, I decided to come home, regroup, arrange for more options for handling the money aspect of the trip, and will start out for only the Primitivo in early June. So, I did the Camino de Madrid from Madrid to Madrid:0).

You have quite a resume' of Caminos! I'll have to get back later in the summer to do the Norte, since it sounds like Santander to Ribadesella was so good - I have some family obligations in July and early August that have to be back for. I'm glad to hear you can go back soon do do another section and will hope to hear how you liked it!

Cheers mate, sorry to hear it didn't work out. Keep in touch if you want any more info. I have to say this last Camino was my best Camino experience, beautiful places, great people, a very happy time.

 

[intrepidtraveler]

If you're still looking for a place to stay in Bilbao, try the Iron Horse Hostel. The Norte literally goes right past it's front door.

I stayed there last night on my Norte adventure and found it to be clean, quiet, etc. And they take reservations.

 

[Pierre Julian]

If you're still looking for a place to stay in Bilbao, try the Iron Horse Hostel. The Norte literally goes right past it's front door.

I stayed there last night on my Norte adventure and found it to be clean, quiet, etc. And they take reservations.

Not now, but thanks, that will be really helpful for the future. The albergue in Bilbao is so far out of town.