How bad is driving in Bilbao (mainly to see the Guggenheim)? We will be staying at the parador in Limpias and will have a car, but is it easier to take a train? From where to where?

Thanks,

FLJudi

My husband and I just came back from that region last Wednesday night. While we were staying in San Sebastian, we took A8/E70 to go to Bilbao. Roads are very good condition and well signed; it was just like driving in the US. When we got off the highway at Bilbao (northern part of the city), the Guggenheim was literally right there! It was impossible to miss this place. For parking, we circled few blocks around the museum, and eventually found street parking. Within Bilbao, we drove to Casco Viejo (old town) – which was also very easy. We parked our car at public parking area.

If you are staying at Limpias, I think you can take N-623 (North), and then take A8/E70 (East) to Bilbao.

We were ticketed for speeding when we were taking A15 from Pamplona to San Sebastian. The police take pictures of speeding cars. We were fined EUR70 (cash) on the spot. Be mindful of your speed.

By the way, while Frank Gehry’s architecture is awe inspiring, we were under whelmed by their collection. We felt as if the museum spent most of their funds on building the museum and they had very little money left for any kind of arts.

Dear Mochi:

I hope you do a trip report once you get back on US time!!

Looking forward to it!!

MY

I'll post it soon. But, what we heard about the food in San Sebastian is true – it was just amazing!

FEVE, narrow guage railway (Ferrocaril Español de Via Estrecha) has a station stop in Limpias. It's about 500m from the Church to the Limpias FEVE Station: down the hill, turn left; cross a small bridge and the FEVE Station is on your right. Last time I was there the Parador was under construction. I did get to see the Cristo de Limpias (that has beeen reputed to 'bleed') in the Church.

I came from Santander on FEVE. I took an ALSA bus from Limpias to Laredo and another back to Santander because FEVE doesn't run as frequently as the Bus. The bus stop in Limpias (no Station, no sign) was on the main street, near the intersection.

As for Mochi's comments re. the Guggenheim: It's a Modern Art Museum: several permanent exhibits; others come and go, and if what is currently being featured is not your 'cup of tea,' so be it. That's no reason for your 'put down' of a Museum that has been there almost 10-years. When I first visited Bilbao's Guggenheim, the Art of the Motorcycle was the principal travelling Exhibit (year-2000). I'm not your big Motorcycle fan, but I enjoyed and learned much from the Exhibit.