Basauri Travel Guide

City City in Basque Country, Spain

Just east of Bilbao, Basauri is visited for its lively local festivals, Basque taverns serving pintxos, and as a low-key base for Bilbao’s Guggenheim, industrial heritage walks and riverfront cycling.

Costs

Budget to mid-range daily costs

USD 60-110 - cheaper than central Bilbao, affordable food and transit.

Safety

Safe, low violent crime

Generally very safe; typical Basque urban crime levels, watch pickpockets in crowded areas.

Best Time

Spring to early autumn

April-October for mild weather and local festivals.

In This Guide

Why Visit Basauri?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

42,657

Infrastructure & Convenience

Good public transport via Bilbao Metro and buses; walkable center with Basque signage and neighborhood shops.

Popularity

Primarily a local commuter town; few international tourists beyond Bilbao day-trippers.

Known For

Industrial heritage, Basque culture, local festivals, proximity to Bilbao, metro connections, working-class history, parks, Basque cuisine, football fandom

Basauri is served directly by Bilbao Metro Line 2, making it effectively a Bilbao suburb with easy city access.

Why Visit Basauri? #

Set in the industrial-turned-residential belt outside Bilbao, this Basque town draws visitors with lively local culture and easy access to Bilbao’s Guggenheim and Old Quarter. Sample pintxos at neighborhood bars, time visits to the Basauri Jaiak festival and explore nearby green hills for quick escapes from the city. Short transit links make it a practical base for experiencing Basque cuisine, language and working-class history without the bustle of central Bilbao.

Top Things to Do in Basauri

All Attractions ›

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Contemporary art museum known for titanium-clad architecture

Museum

San Mamés Stadium

Iconic Bilbao football stadium and Athletic Club home

Stadium

San Mamés Stadium (1913)

Historic Bilbao football stadium, original San Mamés (1913)

Stadium

St. James' Cathedral

Gothic cathedral in Basque Country

Church

Ipurúa Municipal Stadium

Football stadium in Éibar, Basque Country

Stadium

Mendizorrotza Stadium

Football stadium in Vitoria-Gasteiz, home to Alavés

Stadium

Gaztelugatxe

Basque islet linked by stone bridge with hermitage

Island

Bilbao Fine Arts Museum

Major Basque museum housing classical and modern art

Museum

Don't Miss

Parque Kasko - Stroll Parque Kasko's riverside paths and sculptures in the city's cultural heart.
Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel - Visit Basauri's Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel for its historic altarpieces and local services.
Monumento al Minero - See the Monumento al Minero honoring Basauri's mining and industrial heritage in town centre.

Hidden Gems

Basauri street‑art trails - Explore Basauri's street-art trails where large murals reflect local life and industrial history.
Centro Cultural Kasko - Drop into Centro Cultural Kasko for rotating exhibitions, concerts, and local cultural programming.
Basauri weekly market - Browse Basauri's weekly market for local produce, crafts, and regional Basque specialties.

Day Trips

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao - Take a short trip to Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to see modern art and architecture.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe - Drive to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe for the coastal hermitage and dramatic cliffwalk.

Best Time to Visit Basauri #

Visit Basauri in late spring or summer for the nicest weather and outdoor terraces, or autumn for fewer crowds while still enjoying mild temperatures. Winters are wet and mild, best for museum and café time.

Winter

December - February · 6-14°C (43-57°F)

Wet, mild winters with frequent drizzle; city life carries on, museums and cafés feel cozy but bring a rain jacket.

Spring and Autumn

March - May and September - November · 10-22°C (50-72°F)

Cool, changeable weather perfect for walks and pintxos; fewer tourists make museums and nearby coastline more enjoyable, and sunsets are lovely.

Summer

June - August · 18-27°C (64-81°F)

Warm, sunny summers ideal for riverside terraces and nearby beaches, though occasional humidity keeps evenings pleasantly cool; lively festivals occur.

Best Time to Visit Basauri #

Climate

Basauri's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1153 mm/year), wettest in November.

Best Time to Visit

JulyJuneSeptember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

37°

Warmest Month

-7°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

5° – 13°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

119 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.2h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cold

10°C

Temperature

5° – 14°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

94 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.3h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

6° – 16°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

95 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

7° – 17°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

125 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.1

UV Index

High

13.3h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

10° – 20°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

90 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.4

UV Index

High

14.5h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Mild

18°C

Temperature

13° – 23°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

67 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

15.2h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

15° – 25°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

57 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

14.9h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

15° – 26°

73%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

84 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

High

13.8h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

13° – 25°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

71 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.1

UV Index

High

12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

11° – 21°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

115 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

10.9h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (128 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

8° – 16°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

128 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.5h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cold

10°C

Temperature

6° – 14°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

108 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.8h daylight

How to Get to Basauri

Basauri is easiest reached via Bilbao - most visitors fly into Bilbao Airport (BIO) and continue by bus, taxi or Metro Bilbao. The town is integrated into Greater Bilbao's public transport network (Metro and local buses), making transfers straightforward.

By Air

Bilbao Airport (BIO): Bilbao Airport is the closest major airport, about 12 km from central Bilbao and ~10-15 km from Basauri by road. The airport is served by a frequent airport bus to Bilbao city centre (Bilbobus A3247) - expect ~30-40 minutes and around €3.50 for a single ticket; a taxi into Basauri/Bilbao costs roughly €25-35 and takes ~20-30 minutes depending on traffic.

Vitoria-Gasteiz Airport (VIT): Vitoria-Gasteiz is a smaller regional airport ~45-60 minutes by car from Basauri. There are limited scheduled services; if arriving here expect to use a rental car or a taxi/shuttle for the onward leg (drive ~45-60 minutes).

By Train & Bus

Train: Basauri is connected to the Bilbao public transport network - Basauri station is on Metro Bilbao (Line 2) with regular services to Bilbao-Abando (central Bilbao) in about 15-20 minutes. Main national rail services use Bilbao-Abando/Concordia stations for longer-distance Renfe trains.

Bus: Bizkaibus and local Bilbobus services link Basauri with surrounding towns and Bilbao; single fares inside the Bilbao area are typically in the €1.50-€2.50 range (Barik card reduces fares). Intercity buses connect Basauri to other municipalities in Biscay; travel times vary but Bilbao city centre is commonly 20-35 minutes by bus.

How to Get Around Basauri #

Basauri is compact and walkable around the town centre. It has good public links: Metro Bilbao (line 2) terminates in Basauri, plus local Bizkaibus routes and regular taxis - trips into central Bilbao are frequent and inexpensive (a couple of euros). Practical tips: pick up a Barik card for metro/bus travel in the Bilbao area, and allow extra time for commutes during rush hour; a car helps for exploring the surrounding hills.

Where to Stay in Basauri #

Budget

Basauri / Bilbao - €40-90/night

Basauri has few low-cost lodgings; most budget options are in nearby Bilbao (easy metro/train access). Expect basic rooms and good transport links.

Hotel Carlton (Bilbao) - Cheap option in nearby Bilbao, 20 min
Hotel Ercilla (Bilbao) - Economical central Bilbao base

Mid-Range

Basauri / Bilbao - €90-160/night

Mid-range stays are mainly in Bilbao - 10-25 minutes by public transport. More choice and consistent services at this price point.

Meliá Bilbao (Bilbao) - Comfortable, central Bilbao hotel
NH Bilbao Zabalburu (Bilbao) - Reliable mid-range chain, near transport

Luxury

Basauri / Bilbao - €160+/night

No true luxury hotels inside Basauri; top-tier hotels are in Bilbao (short commute). Expect high-end amenities and central locations.

(See Bilbao luxury hotels) - Luxury options concentrated in Bilbao centre
Hotel Abando (Bilbao) - Upscale, central Bilbao (short trip)

Where to Eat in Basauri #

Local Food

Basauri's food scene centers on Basque pintxos bars and home-style restaurants - ideal for tapas crawls, hearty stews and casual late-night bites close to Bilbao.

Pintxos & local bars (Basauri) - Google Maps - Bar-hopping for small Basque bites
Restaurants in Basauri - Google Maps - Traditional stews and home-cooked plates
Cafés near Basauri - Google Maps - Morning cafés and late-night pintxos

International

Beyond pintxos, Basauri offers familiar international options - Italian, Asian and casual takeaway spots for visitors seeking variety near Bilbao's outskirts.

Italian & world cuisine - Google Maps - Pizzerias and family-run trattorias nearby
Asian restaurants in Basauri - Google Maps - Sushi and pan-Asian options available
Takeaway & casual spots - Google Maps - Quick international meals and deliveries

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Basauri's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Regional

Burger

Pizza

Spanish

Kebab

Local

Chicken

Italian

Chinese

Sandwich

Japanese

Steak House

Mexican

Fine Dining

Coffee Shop

Fish

Tapas

Asian

Grill

Seafood

Nightlife in Basauri #

Nightlife in Basauri is low-key and local - mostly neighbourhood bars, cafés and peña gatherings rather than clubs. For a wider range of bars and late-night venues, visitors typically go into nearby Bilbao.

Shopping in Basauri #

Shopping in Basauri is mostly local: small shops, supermarkets and neighbourhood stores serve residents. For bigger retail or specialist shopping you’ll usually head into Bilbao, a short metro ride away.