By Train in Bilbao and the Basque Country

Direct trains from Madrid run to Santander, Bilbao, San Sebastián, Pamplona, Vitoria, and Logroño.

Bilbao's subway is the pride and joy of the transport system, with stations designed by British architect Norman Foster. The underground train will also get you out to the beach at Getxo or Plentzia. Bilbao's Euskotram, running up and down the Nervion River past the Guggenheim to the Mercado de la Ribera, is an attraction in its own right: silent, swift, and panoramic as it glides up and down its grassy runway. The Euskotren leaving from Atxuri Station north of the Mercado de la Ribera runs along a spectacular route through Gernika and the Urdaibai Nature Preserve to Mundaka, probably the best way short of a boat to see this lovely wetlands preserve.

Railway Companies

Euskotren (Estación de Atxuri, north of Mercado de la Ribera, Bilbao. 94/433-8007).

Train Stations

Bilbao (Estación de Abando, C. Hurtado de Amezaga. 94/423-8623 or 94/423-8636). Logroño (Estación de Logroño, Plaza de Europa. 941/240202). Pamplona (Estación de Pamplona, Road to San Sebastián. 948/130202). San Sebastián (Estación de Amara, Plaza Easo 9. 943/450131 or 943/471852.) Santander (Estación de Santander, C. Rodríguez s/n. 942/210211).