Balmaseda is a town of 7,700 people (2018) in Vizcaya, Basque Country. A small and charming Basque town near the border with Burgos. Nestled in the mountains, it is an excellent base for exploring the wilderness.

Get in

Balmaseda is 30 km from the province capital city Bilbao.

By bus

BizkaiBus has service between Bilbao bus terminal and Balmaseda. Balmaseda does not have a bus station, so the drop-off point is the same as the pick-up point.

By train

Renfe feve runs up to two trains an hour to 1 Balmeseda station from Bilbao La Concordia on line C4 taking just under an hour. Barik transport cards can be used.

Get around

Balmaseda is small, so walking is the best way to get around.

See

Iglesia de San Severino (Cathedral)

• 1 Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), San Severino Plaza, 1. With its impressive columns. (updated Aug 2018)
• Old Bridge, Roman medieval Bridge (13th century)
• Saint Severine's church (14th century)
• Balmaseda Historical Museum
• Horcasitas Palace
• Saint John's Church
• Saint Roch and Saint Sebastian's hermitage (chapel) on top of mount Kolitza
• Santa Clara Church and museum

Do

Procession of the Passion play on Good Friday, past the Old Bridge.

• Good Thursday and Good Friday Passion play: Procession and representation of Christ's Last Supper, Judgement and Crucifixion by locals.
• San Severino festivals: 23rd October.

Buy

• Medieval market in March.

Eat

• Las Piscinas, La Calzada Kalea 1,, ☏ +34 946 80 14 72. 10:00-20:00. Restaurant (updated Aug 2018)
• Iza. Restaurant (updated Aug 2018)
• Bar "Los Gemelos"
• Bar "Sauto"
• Many cafes and bars around Plaza San Severino have a great selection of tapas

Drink

Try any one of the cafes or bars in Plaza San Severino.

Sleep

• Hotel San Roque, Avda. Encartaciones, 2, ☏ +34 946 102 268. 
• Hostal Begoña Plaza San Severino, 12. tel 946 102 326
• Hostel/Pension Mendia c/Martin Mendia, 6. tel. 946 102 258
• Refugio Kolitxa Monte Kolitxa tel. 946 800 000
• Albergue El Peñueco Barrio el Peñueco tel. 629 535 249
• Albergue La Garbea Monte La Garbea tel. 946 800 000