Route through Abandoibarra
Description
The Abandoibarra Promenade is one of the city’s most iconic routes.
Along its banks, the Nervión River offers a journey through history, linking Bilbao’s industrial past with its modern and cultural present.
It is ideal for walking, using a wheelchair, or cycling, as the path is fully urban and pedestrian, mostly flat, with no steep slopes, and features benches and landscaped areas.
Highlight
- Guggenheim Museum; Frank Gehry
- Euskalduna Palace; Federico Soriano and Dolores Palacios
- Itsasmuseum Bilbao (Maritime Museum)
- Iberdrola Tower; César Pelli
- Casas de la Cava (Cava Houses)
- Athletic Club of Bilbao’s Gabarra
- Zubi Zuri Bridge; Calatrava
- Pedro Arrupe Footbridge; José Antonio Fernández Ordóñez
- Deusto Bascule Bridge
- Sculpture:
- Las Sirgueras; Dora Salaza
- Puerta de los Honorables; Casto Solana
- Tall Tree and The Eye; Anish Kapoor
- Fuente de fuego; Yves Klein
- Niebla; Fujiko Nakaya
- Maman (Mamá); Louise Bourgeois
- Arcos rojos; Daniel Buren
- Begirari IV; Chillida
- Terpsícore; Salvador Dalí
- Dodeclathos; Vicente Larrea
- Carola (old shipyard crane)
How to get here
La promenade est accessible depuis n’importe quel point de son parcours, que ce soit à pied ou par les transports en commun, comme le tramway, qui longe une grande partie du trajet en parallèle.
Au point de départ (Quai de Ripa), les arrêts de transport en commun les plus proches sont:
- Tramway : Station Abando
- Métro : Station Abando (Ligne 1)
- Bus : Plaza Circular (03, A2, A9, G1, G5) and Gran Vía, 2 (01, 10, 40, A1, G7, G8)
Au point d’arrivée (Itsasmuseum), les arrêts les plus proches sont :
- Tramway : Station Euskalduna
- Métro : Station San Mamés (Ligne 1) (à 500 mètres)
Route
Section 1 - From Ripa Pier to Guggenheim museum
Suitable for people with reduced mobility (PRM)
This first section begins at the Muelle de Ripa, next to the Arriaga Theatre, and runs along the right bank of the river, passing through gardens, terraces, and charming spots, until reaching the Zubizuri Bridge by Calatrava. The promenade is wide, pedestrian, and accessible, with benches and shaded areas.
The route ends at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, whose avant-garde architecture turns the walk into an artistic experience. The surrounding area is adapted for people with reduced mobility, with direct access to the museum without stairs.
Features and services
-
- Pavement
- Brick, stone, concrete and wood
-
- Is there reception equipment on the section?
- No
Outdoor space: Parking areas and access to equipment
- How close is it to means of transport?
- The promenade is accessible from any point along its route, whether on foot or by public transport, such as the tram, which runs parallel to much of the walk. At the starting point (Ripa Quay), the closest public transport stops are: Tram: Abando station Metro: Abando station (Line 1) Bus: Plaza Circular (03, A2, A9, G1, G5) and Gran Vía, 2 (01, 10, 40, A1, G7, G8)
- Is there a parking area?
- Yes
- Are there slopes at the entrances?
- Yes
- Are the access slopes suitable for people with reduced mobility?
- Yes, with no required assistance from third parties
- Are there railings and/or handrails?
- Yes
- Is there an equipment entrance sign next to the access, and is it adapted?
- Yes
- Is the access properly signposted to guide users?
- No
- Pavement type
- Brick, asphalt, stone
Indoor space: General features
- Do the different equipment areas have adapted access?
- Yes
- Are the access slopes suitable for people with reduced mobility?
- Yes, with no required assistance from third parties
- Is there a minimum clearance of 150 cm around furniture where turning or manoeuvring is required?
- Yes
- Does the lighting system allow for correct reading with no reflections in each equipment area?
- Yes
- Are there accessible ICTs "information and communication technologies" ?
- 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
- Information in Braille and/or audioguide devices
- No
- Are there bathrooms, and is at least one of them accessible by transfer?
- No
- Is there an evacuation map in Braille and high relief??
- No
Personal care area
- Are there personnel trained in accessibility in the facilities?
- No
- Are there any resources so that people with cognitive disabilities can understand them?
- No
- Are ICTs available so that the location and services are publicized in different languages?
- No
Rest zone
- Is there a rest area at the reception?
- Yes
- Maximum table height of 80cm (measured on the table top). Lower part of the hollow table top 70cm high, 50cm deep and over 80cm wide
- Yes
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?
- No
Cycle touring lane
- Does the section have a cycle touring lane?
- Yes
- Is there lighting at night?
- Yes
- Concrete paving, compacted and board
- Concrete, compacted
- Width of 150cm on one-way tracks and 220cm on two-way tracks
- Yes
- 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
- Yes
- 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
-
Nature classroom
- Is there a nature classroom on this section?
- No
-
- Is there a recreational area on this section?
- No
-
- Is there a beach on this section?
- No
Section 2 - From the Guggenheim Museum to the Gabarra
Suitable for people with reduced mobility (PRM)
From the Guggenheim, the walk continues along a wide route, with accessible paths and green areas. Halfway along is the Itsasmuseum Bilbao, the Maritime Museum, with accessible entry to both its indoor and open-air exhibitions, where visitors can see old ships, port elements, and restored cranes. It’s an ideal stop for those interested in the maritime and industrial history of Bilbao.
The walk ends in a landmark filled with emotion for locals: the area where the famous Athletic Club barge is located. This historic vessel sails down the river surrounded by a red-and-white sea of fans when the team wins a title. A walk finale full of history, passion, and local pride.
Features and services
-
- Pavement
- Brick, stone, concrete and wood
-
Outdoor space: Parking areas and access to equipment
- How close is it to means of transport?
- The promenade is accessible from any point along its route, whether on foot or by public transport, such as the tram, which runs parallel to much of the walk. At the endpoint (Itsasmuseum), the nearest public transport stops are: Tram: Euskalduna station Metro: San Mamés station (Line 1) (500 meters away)
- Is there a parking area?
- Yes
- Are there slopes at the entrances?
- Yes
- Are the access slopes suitable for people with reduced mobility?
- Yes, with no required assistance from third parties
- Are there railings and/or handrails?
- Yes
- Is there an equipment entrance sign next to the access, and is it adapted?
- No
- Is the access properly signposted to guide users?
- No
- Pavement type
- Brick, stone, concrete and wood
Indoor space: General features
- Do the different equipment areas have adapted access?
- Yes
- Are the access slopes suitable for people with reduced mobility?
- Yes, with no required assistance from third parties
- Is there a minimum clearance of 150 cm around furniture where turning or manoeuvring is required?
- Yes
- Does the lighting system allow for correct reading with no reflections in each equipment area?
- Yes
- Are there accessible ICTs "information and communication technologies" ?
- 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
- Information in Braille and/or audioguide devices
- No
- Are there bathrooms, and is at least one of them accessible by transfer?
- No
- Is there an evacuation map in Braille and high relief??
- No
Personal care area
- Are there personnel trained in accessibility in the facilities?
- No
Rest zone
- Is there a rest area at the reception?
- Yes
- Maximum table height of 80cm (measured on the table top). Lower part of the hollow table top 70cm high, 50cm deep and over 80cm wide
- Yes
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
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?
- No
Cycle touring lane
- Does the section have a cycle touring lane?
- Yes
- Is there lighting at night?
- Yes
- Concrete paving, compacted and board
- Concrete, compacted
- Width of 150cm on one-way tracks and 220cm on two-way tracks
- Yes
- 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
- Yes
- 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
- 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
-
Nature classroom
- Is there a nature classroom on this section?
- No
-
- Is there a recreational area on this section?
- No
-
- Is there a beach on this section?
- No