Anywhere Campers Rental company category:Standard
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Anywhere Campers BilbaoBilbaoView map
Hiring a campervan in Bilbao means setting off from a city reinvented around its Guggenheim Museum, with the Biscay coast on one side and the vineyards of Rioja Alavesa on the other. The hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the Urdaibai reserve, Vitoria-Gasteiz and the beaches of Cantabria are all less than two hours' drive away. 4 partner companies offer campervans, converted vans and motorhomes: Anywhere Campers, Autocaravan Express, Indie Campers and McRent.
Indie Campers and McRent are based in Derio and Loiu, in the Txorierri valley near the airport: you hit the road without crossing the city centre.
3 rental partners
Where to pick up your vehicle in Bilbao?
Autocaravan Express Rental company category:Standard
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Autocaravan Express BilbaoBilbaoView map
McRent Rental company category:Standard
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McRent Bilbao c/o Autocaravanas Bilbao, S.L. Airport20, Txorierri Etorbidea - hall 4, 48160 LoiuView map
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in Bilbao
| Vehicle | Winter January | Spring April | Summer July | Autumn October |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €131/day median €141/day | from €147/day median €165/day | from €393/day median €395/day | from €332/day median €335/day |
| Low-profile motorhome | from €141/day median €156/day | from €160/day median €178/day | from €404/day median €415/day | from €343/day median €355/day |
| Large motorhome | from €160/day median €263/day | from €188/day median €280/day | from €404/day median €407/day | from €349/day median €352/day |
Daily prices observed on October 21, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 2 rental companies compared. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €1,500.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Bilbao
1 The Biscay coast and the Urdaibai reserve
- Bilbao
- Getxo
- Bakio
- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
- Bermeo
- Mundaka
- Gernika
- Lekeitio
- Bilbao
Via Getxo and the Vizcaya Bridge, a UNESCO-listed transporter bridge, you reach Bakio and then San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a hermitage perched on an islet linked to the mainland by a long stairway. Bermeo, the Mundaka wave and Gernika open up the Urdaibai biosphere reserve, its marshes and estuary, before the port of Lekeitio and its island reachable at low tide. Narrow, steep roads: a campervan slips through more easily.
- Distance
- about 170 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
2 Vitoria, the Añana salt valley and Rioja Alavesa
- Bilbao
- Vitoria-Gasteiz
- Salinas de Añana
- Haro
- Labastida
- Elciego
- Laguardia
- Bilbao
Vitoria-Gasteiz, capital of the Basque Country, is worth a stop for its medieval old town and green belt. Then head for the terraced salt pans of Salinas de Añana, then Haro and Rioja Alavesa, at the foot of the Sierra de Cantabria: Labastida, Elciego, where Frank Gehry's hotel with its titanium ribbons echoes the Guggenheim, and walled Laguardia. Wide roads, all vehicle sizes welcome.
- Distance
- about 300 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
3 The Cantabrian coast, from Castro Urdiales to Comillas
- Bilbao
- Castro Urdiales
- Laredo
- Santoña
- Santander
- Santillana del Mar
- Comillas
- San Vicente de la Barquera
- Bilbao
To the west, the A-8 follows the sea to Castro Urdiales and its Gothic church towering over the harbour, then Laredo and its long beach. Santoña, its anchovy canneries and marshes come before Santander, another departure city of our partners, then Santillana del Mar, Comillas and Gaudí's El Capricho palace, as far as San Vicente de la Barquera. Return by motorway or make it a one-way trip.
- Distance
- about 350 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Camper van or low-profile motorhome
Weather and seasons
When to go in Bilbao?
Best time
May, June and September
May to June, September
highs 20 to 24 °C, lows 11 to 15 °C
May, June and September offer the best balance for a trip from Bilbao: long days, less rain than in winter and a still-quiet Biscay coast. In September, the sea is around 21 °C for a swim at Bakio or Laga, and the grape harvest begins in Rioja Alavesa.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 25 to 26 °C, lows 17 °C
July and August are the driest and warmest months, with the sea around 22 °C. It is also festival season and the time of Aste Nagusia, Bilbao's big August fiesta: motorhome areas and campsites on the coast fill up fast, so book your pitches.
March, April and October
March to April, October
highs 16 to 22 °C, lows 7 to 13 °C
Transition seasons, mild but showery, typical of the Basque oceanic climate. April is ideal for hiking in the Gorbeia and Urkiola parks, when the meadows are at their greenest; October, still mild, suits Rioja Alavesa at the time of the new wines.
Winter
November to February
November to February
highs 13 to 16 °C, lows 6 to 9 °C
November is the wettest month of the year and the days get shorter. The cold stays moderate on the coast, but snow can reach the inland passes towards Álava. This is the time to enjoy Bilbao as a city: museums, La Ribera market and the pintxos bars of the Casco Viejo.
Climate in Bilbao, month by month
Most pleasant months: April to September.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13 °C | 6 °C | 142 mm | 5 h/day | 14 °C |
| Feb | 15 °C | 6 °C | 108 mm | 7 h/day | 13 °C |
| Mar | 16 °C | 7 °C | 104 mm | 8 h/day | 13 °C |
| Apr | 18 °C | 9 °C | 87 mm | 9 h/day | 14 °C |
| May | 20 °C | 11 °C | 80 mm | 10 h/day | 16 °C |
| Jun | 23 °C | 15 °C | 70 mm | 10 h/day | 20 °C |
| Jul | 25 °C | 17 °C | 45 mm | 11 h/day | 22 °C |
| Aug | 26 °C | 17 °C | 49 mm | 10 h/day | 22 °C |
| Sep | 24 °C | 15 °C | 79 mm | 10 h/day | 21 °C |
| Oct | 22 °C | 13 °C | 100 mm | 7 h/day | 19 °C |
| Nov | 16 °C | 9 °C | 165 mm | 6 h/day | 17 °C |
| Dec | 14 °C | 7 °C | 128 mm | 5 h/day | 15 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Leave via the Txorierri valley
From Derio and Loiu, the Txorierri road leads straight to the motorways towards the coast, Cantabria or Álava, without crossing the estuary or the steep streets of the centre. If you pick up your vehicle in Bilbao itself, from Anywhere Campers or Autocaravan Express, avoid rush hour for your first kilometres.
The Guggenheim without the vehicle
Bilbao's centre, squeezed between the estuary and the hills, is ill-suited to parking a motorhome. Leave the vehicle at the Kobetamendi municipal motorhome area, on the heights above the city, or at a campsite, then take the bus down to the Guggenheim, Abandoibarra and the Casco Viejo.
Tolls on Basque motorways
Towards San Sebastián, the AP-8 is a toll motorway, as is the Supersur, Bilbao's southern bypass. The AP-68 towards Rioja is also tolled, and its status may change: check the conditions in force. Towards Cantabria, the A-8 is free, and the N-240 over the Barazar pass is a toll-free alternative towards Álava.
Gaztelugatxe: book your access
Access on foot to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe requires a free booking at busy times, to limit visitor numbers. Book your time slot online before you go and arrive early: motorhome spaces near the start of the path are few and the access road is narrow.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Bilbao
Where can I pick up a campervan in Bilbao?
Four partner companies have a depot: Indie Campers in Derio, McRent in Loiu, on the premises of Autocaravanas Bilbao, and Anywhere Campers and Autocaravan Express in Bilbao itself. A single search compares their offers; the exact handover location and appointment time are then given in your booking confirmation.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Bilbao?
The price depends mainly on the season, the length of hire and the type of vehicle, from a compact campervan to a large family motorhome. To see real prices, mandatory fees included, run a search with your dates: the available offers from our Bilbao partners are displayed, ready to book straight away.
Can I do a one-way trip from Bilbao?
Yes, several of our partners' departure cities are close by: Vitoria, Santander and San Sebastián, with Pamplona a little further. A one-way trip to Santander along the Cantabrian coast, or to San Sebastián via the Basque coastal road of Zumaia and Getaria, saves the return drive. Enter the return city in your search: any fees are then included.
Which vehicle should I choose for a trip from Bilbao?
The models on offer range from Active Compact and Active Plus campervans to Carado CV-540 or CV-600 camper vans, easy to handle on the narrow roads of the Biscay coast. For five travellers, the Carado T-328 or the Adria Matrix sleep five, more comfortable for a family on the wide roads of Álava and Rioja.
How many days should I plan from Bilbao?
Three to four days are enough for the Biscay coast, between Gaztelugatxe, Urdaibai and Lekeitio, keeping one day for Bilbao itself. With a week, you can add Vitoria and Rioja Alavesa, or the Cantabrian coast. Ten days let you combine both, or even push on to Navarre.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Bilbao with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Excellent service, speed, and courtesy
T.
Spain · Sep 2025
Trustpilot
EXCELLENT IN EVERY WAY. HIGH-QUALITY VEHICLE. FRIENDLY STAFF. NO PROBLEMS.
Isabelle L.
Spain · Jul 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Very good price and good service
Serge G.
Spain · Mar 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Bilbao
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome hired in Bilbao?
For a campervan, converted van or motorhome under 3.5 tonnes, which covers the vast majority of the fleet, a category B licence is enough. A licence issued outside the European Union may require an international driving permit in Spain. Minimum age and years of driving required vary by company: check the offer conditions.
Does Bilbao have a low-emission zone?
Yes, a low-emission zone covers part of central Bilbao, and other Basque cities such as Vitoria-Gasteiz apply or are preparing similar rules. The oldest vehicles, without a DGT environmental label, may be banned. Recent rental motorhomes usually carry a label: check with the rental company and look up the rules in force.
Where can I stay overnight with a motorhome in Biscay?
Several coastal villages, such as Bermeo or Lekeitio, have motorhome areas, often small and packed in summer. In the Basque Country, wild camping is banned and overnight parking is regulated by each municipality: follow the local signs, or choose a campsite for more facilities and peace and quiet.
How do I get to the depots when arriving in Bilbao?
Bilbao airport is in Loiu, next to the McRent and Indie Campers depots: a short taxi ride is enough. By ferry from the United Kingdom, you land at the port of Santurtzi, on the left bank of the estuary. By train or coach, Abando station and the Termibus bus station serve the city.
When should I book a campervan in Bilbao?
For July and August, book several months ahead: Spanish and European school holidays are concentrated in those two months, and campervans go first. For Easter and the long weekends in May, a few weeks are often enough. In winter there is plenty of choice, but some campsites on the Biscay coast close.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Bilbao
Within a few dozen kilometres, Bilbao brings together very different landscapes: the estuary and the architecture of the Guggenheim, the cliffs and fishing ports of Biscay, the forests of Gorbeia and, beyond the mountains, the vineyards and fortified villages of Rioja Alavesa. Stages stay short, leaving time for Basque food, from pintxos to bodegas.
Four partner companies cover every need, from compact campervans to family motorhomes, and two depots near the airport make arriving by plane easy. Vitoria, Santander, San Sebastián and Pamplona, other departure cities of our partners, open the way to one-way trips across northern Spain. Finally, the mild oceanic climate, rarely scorching, makes the road pleasant from April to September.