Images

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The image shows Santiago Cathedral as seen from the square in front of its main façade, a wide urban space paved with stone slabs arranged in a grid pattern. Visual access to the building is clear and frontal, with no elements obstructing the perception of the architectural ensemble. The square is largely level, with no visible steps in the main circulation area, allowing movement for wheelchair users or people using mobility aids, although the stone paving may become slippery in wet conditions. In the foreground, scattered pedestrians can be seen, and in the background, the Gothic entrance with a pointed arch and a lateral bell tower, all integrated into a consolidated urban environment with residential buildings aligned on both sides of the square and an open space that enhances orientation, visibility and manoeuvrability.
The image shows one of the Seven Streets of Bilbao’s Old Town, configured as a narrow, straight pedestrian street flanked by multi-storey historic buildings with balconies and ground-floor shops. The pavement is continuous and made up of small-format stone cobbles, with a slightly differentiated central strip, allowing step-free and kerb-free circulation and facilitating movement for wheelchair users or people with mobility aids, although the surface texture may be uneven and potentially slippery when wet. Along both sides of the street, building façades provide access to premises, some with occasional elements such as signs or folded tables placed close to the walls, while a sufficiently wide central strip is kept clear for pedestrian movement. The space offers good visual continuity, no vehicular traffic and a consolidated urban atmosphere that supports easy orientation along the route.
The image shows Atxuri Station (Bilbao) from the surrounding public space, featuring a large historic building with a curved façade at one end, easily recognisable due to its distinctive architecture. The immediate environment is an urban roadway with vehicular traffic and a tram platform integrated into the carriageway, with clearly marked lanes. The pavement from which the image is taken is continuous and level, with no visible steps in the foreground, allowing pedestrian movement, although the surface appears wet and may be slippery in rainy conditions. In front of the building, an elevated access via steps is visible, indicating that the main entrance is not at ground level from this point; however, the area is spacious, with good visibility, natural light and clear visual references that support orientation for people with reduced mobility or those using mobility aids.
The image shows a wide, open urban square in Bilbao’s Old Town, with a central area paved with large-format stone slabs laid out in a regular pattern, forming a continuous and mostly level surface. In the centre, a landscaped element and a tall lamppost are visible, both protected by a low metal railing that defines the space without encroaching on the main circulation areas. The perimeter of the square is lined with historic buildings featuring arcades, which provide covered walkways and facilitate pedestrian movement and access to hospitality terraces located along the sides. The paving has a slight sheen due to moisture and may be slippery in wet conditions; however, the space is generous, with good visibility, natural lighting and no steps in the central area, allowing comfortable circulation for wheelchair users, people with pushchairs or those using mobility aids.

Old Quarter

Go back to Old Quarter

Description

The route through Bilbao’s Old Quarter is an easy-access itinerary that runs entirely through an urban environment and allows visitors to explore the historic core of the city comfortably. The route is divided into two distinct sections. The first runs through the Seven Streets of the Old Town, a consolidated urban area that allows the main streets to be explored without difficulty, with marble cobblestone paving and sufficient width for pedestrian movement, although surfaces may become slippery on rainy days. The second section runs through a restored green area, particularly recommended for people with reduced mobility, starting at Atxuri Station and following the riverbank to the neighbourhood of La Peña, offering a more open, linear and tranquil walk alongside the river.

Highlight

  • Arenal Gardens.
  • Plaza Nueva.
  • Miguel de Unamuno Square.
  • Zamudio Gateway.
  • Somera Street.
  • La Ribera Market.
  • La Ribera Street.
  • Yhon Palace.
  • Plaza de Santiago.
  • Correo Street.

How to get here

  • By road:
    • From France: Bilbao is 8 hours by car from Paris, connecting to other important cities on the way, i.e. nearby Donostia (100km), Baiona (150km), Biarritz (150km), Pau, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Limoges, Tours, etc.
    • Madrid & Meseta: Madrid is 4 hours away passing through the nearby Vitoria-Gasteiz (60km) and Burgos (150km).
    • Barcelona & Mediterranean: Barcelona is a 6 hour journey passing through Logroño (130km) and Zaragoza or via Pamplona (150 km). The Catalonian capital opens Bilbao to the Mediterranean hub, both Spanish (Valencia, Majorca and Ibiza, Costas: Brava, Dorada, Del Sol…) and French (Montpellier, Cote d’Azur, etc.).
    • Cantabrian region: Westwards Bilbao is an hour away from Santander (100 km) and connected to cities like Oviedo, Gijón, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña and Vigo, very close to Portugal.
  • By bus:

    Several options, all arriving at the Intermodal (medium and long-haul bus station).

  • By train:
    • Renfe- Suburban or intercity.
    • Euskotren.
    • Feve.
  • By air:

    Further information at BILBAO AIRPORT, TRANSPORT & CAR PARK.

  • By sea:

    Further information at:

Turismo Bilbao website

Route

From the Siete Calles (Seven Streets) to Arenal

Suitable for people with reduced mobility (PRM)

Straightforward pedestrian crossing with no slopes along all the streets of the Old Quarter. A well-connected urban section with wheelchair access public transport. Regular surface, possibly with some potholes as the surface of the 7 streets is cobbled with pieces of marble; however, this doesn’t hinder wheelchair transit. WCs with wheelchair access along this section, e.g. in Arenal Square.

Features and services

  • Section length
    1,81 km
    Pavement
    Cobblestone
    Obstacles
    • Potential potholes when walking on cobblestone pavement.
    • Tramway tracks depending on where it crosses.
  • Is there reception equipment on the section?
    No

    Outdoor space: Parking areas and access to equipment

    Are the access slopes suitable for people with reduced mobility?
    No
    Are there railings and/or handrails?
    No

    Indoor space: General features

    Are the access slopes suitable for people with reduced mobility?
    No

    Personal care area

    Are there personnel trained in accessibility in the facilities?
    No

    Rest zone

    Is there a rest area at the reception?
    No

    Store

    Is there one or more stores at the reception?
    No

    Children’s area

    Is there a children’s area at the reception?
    Yes
    Adequate and unobstructed floor
    Yes
    Adapted educational materials
    No

    Exhibition room

    Is there an exhibition room at the reception?
    No

    Exhibition Hall

    Is there an exhibition hall at the reception?
    No
  • Are there trails on the section?
    Yes

    Access

    Is there lighting at night?
    Yes
    Minimum accessible connection between parking spaces, if any, the start of the obstacle-free trail
    Yes
    Is there an adequate slope to allow circulation without assistance, with personal assistance or with technical assistance?
    Yes, with no required assistance from third parties
    Parking spaces reserved for vehicles used to transport disabled people according to current regulations. At least 5% of the total spaces
    Yes
    Parking signage, if any, with the International Accessibility Symbol on the floor and/or on walls
    Yes
    Interpretative panel features Braille, audio support, graphics, pictograms, etc.
    No
    Informative poster at the start of the trail indicating the length, route, difficulty, duration and slopes by sections
    Yes
    Path start sign positioned no higher than 195cm
    Yes

    Itinerary

    Vertical start signage
    No
    Vertical signage type
    Written
    Compact, non-slip and with no projections along their entire length, allowing wheelchair transit
    Yes, marble pavers, large marble tiles
    2 m. paved trails with non-deformable and non-slip material, with a different texture and different from the rest
    Yes
    The route is more than 150cm wide, with occasional narrowings of 90cm
    Yes
    Minimum clearance height of 220 cm
    Yes
    Rest areas
    Yes
    Urban furniture (fountains, dispensers...) arranged along the pedestrian route to provide sound orientation
    No
    End vertical signage
    No
    Guiding partition and/or tactile foot signs to draw attention to an important feature
    Yes
    Islands with a minimum width of 150 cm to facilitate two wheelchairs passing each other
    No
    Is there an adequate slope to allow circulation without assistance, with personal assistance or with technical assistance?
    Yes, with no required assistance from third parties
    Tree branches do not obstruct the route at below 2.20 m
    Yes
    Ramps, bridges and walkways with more than 50cm of unevenness, 90cm handrails and with handrails at two heights: 65-75 cm and 95-105 cm
    No

    Cycle touring lane

    Does the section have a cycle touring lane?
    Yes
    Is there lighting at night?
    Yes
    Concrete paving, compacted and board
    Yes, concrete and asphalt
    Width of 150cm on one-way tracks and 220cm on two-way tracks
    No
    200cm clear height
    Yes
    Adequate signalling of maximum speed and dangerous crossings
    Yes

    Lookout and observatory

    Is there a lookout or observatory on the section?
    Yes
    Accessible connection from the parking, if there is one, to the premises, adapted to current regulations. Unobstructed area with a minimum width of 90 cm, an unobstructed height of 220 cm and a compact floor which allows for wheelchair access
    No
    Parking spaces reserved for vehicles used to transport disabled people according to current regulations. At least 5% of the total spaces
    Yes
    Parking signage, if any, with the International Accessibility Symbol on the floor and/or on walls
    Yes
    Height of interpretive panel between 45 and 195 cm
    Yes
    Are ICTs available so that the location and services are publicized in different languages?
    No
    Are there any resources so that people with cognitive disabilities can understand them?
    No
    Are there any resources so that people with hearing impairment can understand them?
    No
    Route length dimensions and time

    1.6km This distance includes all the 7 streets of the Old Quarter, starting in Calle Somera and finishing in Arenal Park.

  • Nature classroom

    Is there a nature classroom on this section?
    No
  • Is there a recreational area on this section?
    Yes

    Access

    Is there adequate lighting?
    Yes
    Accessible connection from the parking, if there is one, to the premises, adapted to current regulations. Unobstructed area with a minimum width of 90 cm, an unobstructed height of 220 cm and a compact floor which allows for wheelchair access
    Yes
    Parking spaces reserved for vehicles used to transport disabled people according to current regulations. At least 5% of the total spaces
    Yes
    Is there an adequate slope to allow circulation without assistance, with personal assistance or with technical assistance?
    Yes, without assistance from third parties
    Parking signage, if any, with the International Accessibility Symbol on the floor and/or on walls
    Yes

    Outdoor space

    Are 10% of the tables and benches accessible?
    No
    At least one accessible access, if any
    Yes
  • Is there a beach on this section?
    No

From Somera Street to the Paseo de los Caños

Suitable for people with reduced mobility (PRM)

This section starts from Atxuri train station towards the Bilbao district of La Peña. The surface from Atxuri train station to trail commencement is covered in the typical Bilbao paving stones, a narrow pavement 1m wide and with a long gentle slope (400m from the station). Whilst the slope to the trail beginning is not very steep, non-motorised wheelchair users may need assistance. Once you start the trail there are no difficulties for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility. The surface is flat, cobbled with a small separation between the cobbles, which doesn’t hinder transit.
You can take Bilbobus routes 77 and G7 if you wish to avoid the slope from Atxuri.

Features and services

  • Section length
    2,02 km
    Pavement
    Bilbao tile, cobblestone (rectangular pavers)
    Obstacles
    • Approximately 400 meters of slope from Atxuri train station to the beginning of the trail.
    • Sidewalk narrowing from Atxuri station to the beginning of the trail.
  • Is there reception equipment on the section?
    No

    Outdoor space: Parking areas and access to equipment

    Are the access slopes suitable for people with reduced mobility?
    No
    Are there railings and/or handrails?
    No

    Indoor space: General features

    Are the access slopes suitable for people with reduced mobility?
    No

    Personal care area

    Are there personnel trained in accessibility in the facilities?
    No

    Rest zone

    Is there a rest area at the reception?
    No

    Store

    Is there one or more stores at the reception?
    No

    Children’s area

    Is there a children’s area at the reception?
    No

    Exhibition room

    Is there an exhibition room at the reception?
    No

    Exhibition Hall

    Is there an exhibition hall at the reception?
    No
  • Are there trails on the section?
    Yes

    Access

    Is there lighting at night?
    Yes
    Minimum accessible connection between parking spaces, if any, the start of the obstacle-free trail
    No
    Is there an adequate slope to allow circulation without assistance, with personal assistance or with technical assistance?
    Yes, with assistance from third parties
    Parking spaces reserved for vehicles used to transport disabled people according to current regulations. At least 5% of the total spaces
    No
    Parking signage, if any, with the International Accessibility Symbol on the floor and/or on walls
    No
    Informative poster at the start of the trail indicating the length, route, difficulty, duration and slopes by sections
    Yes
    Path start sign positioned no higher than 195cm
    Yes

    Itinerary

    Vertical start signage
    Yes
    Vertical signage type
    Written
    Compact, non-slip and with no projections along their entire length, allowing wheelchair transit
    Yes, rectangular paving
    2 m. paved trails with non-deformable and non-slip material, with a different texture and different from the rest
    Yes
    The route is more than 150cm wide, with occasional narrowings of 90cm
    Yes
    Minimum clearance height of 220 cm
    Yes
    Rest areas
    Yes
    Urban furniture (fountains, dispensers...) arranged along the pedestrian route to provide sound orientation
    No
    End vertical signage
    Yes
    Guiding partition and/or tactile foot signs to draw attention to an important feature
    Yes
    Islands with a minimum width of 150 cm to facilitate two wheelchairs passing each other
    Yes
    Is there an adequate slope to allow circulation without assistance, with personal assistance or with technical assistance?
    Yes, with no required assistance from third parties
    Tree branches do not obstruct the route at below 2.20 m
    Yes
    Route length dimensions and time
    1km outbound from Atxuri station, 500m outbound from bus-stop (trail start), 30mins on foot.

    Cycle touring lane

    Does the section have a cycle touring lane?
    Yes
    Is there lighting at night?
    Yes
    Concrete paving, compacted and board
    Yes, rectangular paving
    Width of 150cm on one-way tracks and 220cm on two-way tracks
    No
    200cm clear height
    Yes
    Adequate signalling of maximum speed and dangerous crossings
    No

    Lookout and observatory

    Is there a lookout or observatory on the section?
    Yes
    Accessible connection from the parking, if there is one, to the premises, adapted to current regulations. Unobstructed area with a minimum width of 90 cm, an unobstructed height of 220 cm and a compact floor which allows for wheelchair access
    No
    Parking spaces reserved for vehicles used to transport disabled people according to current regulations. At least 5% of the total spaces
    No
    Height of interpretive panel between 45 and 195 cm
    Yes
    Are ICTs available so that the location and services are publicized in different languages?
    No
    Are there any resources so that people with cognitive disabilities can understand them?
    No
    Are there any resources so that people with hearing impairment can understand them?
    No
    Eye-catching, clear and short texts with a main title and no more than five key ideas
    No
    Route length dimensions and time

    1.6km This distance includes all the 7 streets of the Old Quarter, starting in Calle Somera and finishing in Arenal Park.

  • Nature classroom

    Is there a nature classroom on this section?
    No
  • Is there a recreational area on this section?
    Yes

    Access

    Is there adequate lighting?
    Yes
    Accessible connection from the parking, if there is one, to the premises, adapted to current regulations. Unobstructed area with a minimum width of 90 cm, an unobstructed height of 220 cm and a compact floor which allows for wheelchair access
    No
    Parking spaces reserved for vehicles used to transport disabled people according to current regulations. At least 5% of the total spaces
    No
    Is there an adequate slope to allow circulation without assistance, with personal assistance or with technical assistance?
    Yes, without assistance from third parties
    Parking signage, if any, with the International Accessibility Symbol on the floor and/or on walls
    No

    Outdoor space

    Are 10% of the tables and benches accessible?
    No
    At least one accessible access, if any
    No
  • Is there a beach on this section?
    No