General Information
Vizcaya Bridge is a transporter bridge situated just outside of Bilbao, it links the towns of Portugalete and Las Arenas by stretching over the mouth of the Nervion River. It is the world's oldest transporter bridge. It was built and opened in 1893 to carry passengers and cargo across the river whilst also allowing ships to pass down the river. It was designed by Alberto Palacio and was built out of iron, stretching 160 metres across the river and 45 metres in height. The gondola attached to the bridge which transports people over the water is in use still today, with it operating every 8 minutes during the day. The bridge is such an engineering masterpiece that is was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.
Getting there
The bridge is situated just outside of Bilbao but transport to the area is good. By train, take a train from the centre of Bilbao to ‘Penota’, the bridge is a short walk away from the station. The underground system also runs close to the bridge from Bilbao, take the underground trains to ‘Areeta’ which is a short walk away.
Opening Times and Admission
You can travel across the bridge on the gondola, with trips running every 8 minutes. You can also walk over the top of the bridge and take in the stunning views from the top for a small fee of 9 euros.