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
[edit]Balmaseda is 30 km from the province capital city Bilbao.
By bus
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Balmaseda is small, so walking is the best way to get around.
See
[edit]- 1 Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), San Severino Plaza, 1. With its impressive columns.
- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- Medieval market in March.
Eat
[edit]- Las Piscinas, La Calzada Kalea 1,, ☏ +34 946 80 14 72. 10:00-20:00. Restaurant
- Iza. Restaurant
- Bar "Los Gemelos"
- Bar "Sauto"
- Many cafes and bars around Plaza San Severino have a great selection of tapas
Drink
[edit]Try any one of the cafes or bars in Plaza San Severino.
Sleep
[edit]- 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