Discover the emblematic Artxanda Funicular.

The Artxanda Funicular: the emblematic way up to the heights of Bilbao

The Artxanda Funicular has been in operation for over a century, is one of the most emblematic means of transport in the capital of Bizkaia and surely one of the best known in the whole of Bilbao Bizkaia.

Located in the Matiko neighbourhood, and easily accessible from any point in the city, the Funicular is not only remarkable on its own but also provides the most direct route to Artxanda. From this mountain, you can enjoy unparalleled views of the capital. If you are in the centre of Bilbao and look towards Artxanda you can see how the Funicular cabins go up and down tirelessly all day long.

The Funicular was inaugurated in 1915 and has an undoubtedly classical appearance, an essence of another era. And when we say that it is tireless, we are certainly not exaggerating, as since it began operating it has only stopped on two occasions in history: once during the bombing of Bilbao in the Civil War and again during the 1983 floods.

Mount Artxanda has always been a place of leisure and recreation for the people of Bilbao, a pleasant, family-friendly environment in which to enjoy nature at a short distance from the city: from the centre the Funicular takes you up to the top in just 3 minutes.

Yes, you read that right: the Funicular is that fast. If you are up to taking the Funicular, and, if you have the time, you won’t regret it; during those 3 minutes of ascent you will see Bilbao from a totally new perspective and you will understand why the locals call their city, hidden between mountains, "el botxo", meaning a hole or a pit in Basque.

All you need to know about the Artxanda Funicular: location, timetable and prices

• Where is it? It is in the Matiko neighbourhood, at the Plaza del Funicular S/N, 48007.


• How to get there? The lower station of the Funicular can easily be reached on foot from most parts of Bilbao, in 15 to 30 minutes, depending where you are in the city. You can also get there by Bilbobus (lines 72-26-11-22-71 drop you off a few metres from the station) and by Bizkaibus (line A3223 drops you off near the lower station and A3216 next to the Artxanda Sports Centre, near the upper station).


• How much does it cost to go up and down
  • Single fare: €2.50.
  • Return fare: €4.30.
  • School groups: €0.32.
  • Children under 6 years old, wheelchair users or vision impaired people: free of charge.
  • With the Barik travel card: €0.32 (Kide), €0.26 (Kide FN20), €0.16 (Kide FN50, Gizatrans, Gizatrans FN20, Gizatrans FN50, Bilbotrans).


• What are the opening hours?
  • 1 OCT - 31 MAY: 7:15 - 22:00 h. (Monday to Saturday), 8:15 - 22:00 h. (Sundays and public holidays).
  • 1 JUN - 30 SEP: 7:15 - 22:00 h. (Monday to Thursday), 7:15 - 23:00 h. (Friday, Saturday and holiday eves), 8:15 - 22:00 h. (Sunday and public holidays).
  • ASTE NAGUSIA (GREAT WEEK, from Saturday to Saturday): until midnight.


• How often does it run? from 11:00 to 22:00 h., every 10 minutes. The rest of the timetable, every 15 minutes.


• More information: visit the website www.funicularartxanda.bilbao.eus

Guided tours of the Artxanda Funicular Railway

If you would like to learn more about the history and specifics of the Artxanda Funicular, as well as its impact on Bilbao society, you can book a guided tour with a specialised guide:

• Visits in Spanish and Basque.
• Free with a Funicular ticket.
• 1 h 30 min. duration.
• Every first Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m. (Spanish). For groups in Basque, dates and times will be arranged according to demand.
• Meeting point at the lower station.
• More information and reservations: 94 401 00 10 (from 8:00 to 22:00 h.).

What to do in Artxanda?

The unequalled panoramic view of Bilbao that can be enjoyed from Artxanda is reason enough to go up. But the truth is that Artxanda has much more to offer.

Near the upper station of the Funicular you can admire two interesting pieces of our cultural heritage: the Engranaje, an old gear wheel of the first machinery of the Funicular, and the Huella, a sculpture by Juan José Novella, which pays homage to the victims of the Civil War.

In Artxanda you will also find a large recreational area with picnic tables, vegetation and playgrounds that are ideal for strolling, relaxing and organising a good picnic. And in the nearby sports centre it is possible to play sports and even take a dip during the hottest months of the year.

And there is more. Bilbao Bizkaia is synonymous with good gastronomy, of course, and Artxanda is no exception. In the area around the upper station of the Funicular you will find the following restaurants: the Txakoli, the Txakoli Simón, the Antón, La Escuela, the Isidro, the Artetxe and the Kate Zaharra.