Getting ashore
Some ships dock in Getxo, next to the leisure marina. Large ships use the Olatua Terminal, about 15 km from downtown, and smaller ships occasionally berth along the estuary. Olatua Terminal (Getxo 3) has a 355 m berth, a 3,200 square metre building and a 169 m walkway. It opened in March 2022, and P&O’s Britannia was its first ship. A 222-car long-stay car park serves it. The Maritime Terminal (Getxo 1 and 2) has berths of 366 m and 318 m, a 12 m maximum draft and four gangways. The new cruise terminal has a tourist desk with free but slow Wi-Fi, and the BilbOPS shore power project, completed in 2025, has 11 connection points on seven quays. MSC Virtuosa is listed on 27 October 2026 from 08:00 to 17:00, and Oceania Marina on 2 October has passed. Check the cruise line’s notice for the berth on the day.
For beach lovers
Getxo’s beaches are a practical trip from the ship, and the walk to the beach is short. Getxo has been a residential area for more than a century, and its stately mansions line the promenade. The Old Port of Algorta has narrow streets of its own. The Bridge of Biscay, built in 1893, is the oldest transporter bridge in the world. Some cruise lines tell guests about the shuttle only the night before, so check your programme early. The walking route below takes you along the waterfront to the beach.
For walkers and architecture fans
Casco Viejo, the old town, dates from the 14th century, and its narrow streets are lined with Renaissance, Baroque and modernist buildings. The Cathedral of Santiago is a Gothic church built at the end of the 14th century. Plaza Nueva is an arcaded square, and the Bridge and Church of San Anton stand nearby. The Museo de Bellas Artes holds one of Spain’s most important art collections, and museums are generally closed on Mondays. The Guggenheim is about 10 minutes’ walk from Moyua and is also closed on Mondays. It offers a discount for those aged 59 and over, with proof of age. The tourist office is at Plaza Ensanche, next to the Guggenheim.
For nature and outdoor fans
San Sebastián lies about 109 km east, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes by car, and Guernica is also within reach. Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Gernika are best done by excursion, so book one before the call. Check the shuttle and excursion times with the cruise line before you book. The coast near Getxo is the nearest outdoor option, and the waterfront route below gives a walk along it. These day trips are also a good way to see more of the Basque coast.
For shoppers
Moyua is the town centre, with many shops, department stores and sidewalk cafés. Big shopping centres and department stores open from 10:00 to 21:00 or 22:00 without a break, and some open on Sundays. Shop hours are generally Monday to Saturday, 09:30 to 13:30 and 16:30 to 20:00, and pharmacies follow the same pattern, with a rolling late-hours rota posted in newspapers and at pharmacies. In coastal cities in high season, shops often stay open past 22:00. Hours may have changed, so check locally.
For eaters and drinkers
The old town has a large indoor market, where locals buy their food, and it is worth a look to see what people buy. The tapas bars in the Casco Viejo are among the best places to eat in the city. Tapas is the way to eat in the old town, so take your time, move from bar to bar and try several of them. The sidewalk cafés of Moyua are a good place for a drink between shops and sights.
Getting around and money
A port shuttle runs to Plaza Moyua, where the centre begins, for about 15 euros. Prices were last reported in 2024. The Metro is the cheaper option: a two-zone ticket from the vending machine near the marina costs about 2 euros each way. Take the Metro to Moyua, and on the return take the correct line to Plentzia, as the two routes share track in the centre. A taxi costs about 30 euros. Shuttle and Metro journeys take 45 to 60 minutes each way, and a taxi takes 20 to 30 minutes. The walk from the marina to the Metro is pleasant but about 20 minutes. Allow 60 to 90 minutes before all-aboard for an independent visit, and carry a waterproof layer. The currency is the euro, divided into 100 cents, with coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and of 1 and 2 euros, and notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. The emergency number is 112, free of charge, with service in Spanish, English, French and German in some tourist areas.
Walking guide: Getxo waterfront
Start at the leisure marina in Getxo, where some ships berth. Walk the 800 metres to the beach and the mansion-lined promenade. Continue along the waterfront to Ereaga Beach, then on to the Old Port of Algorta and its narrow streets. The waterfront route is 3 to 5 km return and takes 45 to 75 minutes. Allow 2 to 4 hours if you want to linger at Ereaga Beach and the Old Port of Algorta. Return the way you came, to the marina, in time for your all-aboard.
Accessibility & mobility
The sources do not give a full account of step-free routes on the shuttle or at the terminal. The archive describes the walk from the marina to the Metro as pleasant but about 20 minutes, so guests with mobility needs should ask the cruise line about the shuttle and taxi arrangements before booking.