Choosing Bilbao as the destination for your Study Abroad is always a great option. It is a medium-size city, located in the north of Spain and very well connected to other cities you may want to visit in Spain and Europe. Our Business and Spanish, Language and Culture, and Engineering and Business programs at the University of Deusto offer you the opportunity to study in Bilbao for a semester, a full year or during the month of July.
Any time of year is good for living and studying in Bilbao but, undoubtedly, the summer months are full of plans and activities that will make your Study Abroad the best summer of your life.
If you would like to travel around Europe…
Bilbao is one of northern Spain’s leading cities. Just an hour and a half from the French border, it’s an ideal departure point for trips around Europe.
Bilbao has an international airport with daily flights to the main European cities, in addition to connecting flights with Madrid and Barcelona or to Paris or Frankfurt to travel to other international destinations. A direct flight from Bilbao to Paris takes 1hr. 30 min., to London or Rome only 2 hrs., or Munich in just 2hrs. 20 min.
And if you’d rather take other means of transport, Bilbao has a great rail and bus network that will take you across Spain or Europe.
If you like music and typical festivals…
Bilbao becomes an International Pop-Rock centre in July with the BBK Live Festival. Over 100,000 people came last year to see world famous bands. Top of the bill this year are Kendrick Lamar and The Killers.
If you like jazz, Bilbao is ideal for you. Two big jazz festivals are held very near Bilbao in July. The first is in Getxo (a 20-minute underground trip): Getxo Jazz. The second is held in Vitoria, the Basque Country’s capital city, a 30-minute trip by bus: Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival.
Spain’s most popular festivals are held during the summer months. The most famous on the international scene is the running of the bulls in Pamplona. CIDE programs include a day trip to Pamplona to visit the city and savour the fiesta atmosphere. And these are not the only festivals you can enjoy. July is a month full of festivals in villages and cities near Bilbao. Portugalete (July, 1st), Neguri (July, 16th) Elantxobe (July, 22 th), Barakaldo (3rd week of July) or Algorta (July, 31st).
We have great beaches with some of the best surfing spots in the world. If you love surfing, don’t miss Mundaka, a frequent site of the World Surfing Championship thanks to its world class left set.
The village of Mundaka is located in the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, one of the richest natural areas in the Basque Country. The Laga and Laida beaches are perfect examples of why you should visit this area and the Oma Painted Forest, the Santimamiñe Caves, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the typical fishing villages of Lekeito and Bermeo, or Gernika with its emblematic oak tree and a Museum of Peace that should definitely not be missed.
If you enjoy good food…
Bilbao and the surrounding area are well known for its cuisine on the international scene. The Basque Country has one of the highest numbers of restaurants with three Michelin stars in the world. Just 15 minutes from Bilbao is the famous Azurmendi Restaurant, run by the world renowned chef Eneko Atxa. Some of the leading cooking schools, such as the Basque Culinary Center, are located in this region.
And be sure not to miss our delicious appetizers on toast points. One of the specialities of our city, you can find them at any café in Bilbao.
The province of La Rioja, known for its wines, is just an hour and a half from Bilbao. A visit to a wine cellar is well worth a day trip. Taste excellent wines and find out how wine is made.
And if you are keen on good architecture and museums…
The Guggenheim Museum, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, is a must to visit in Bilbao. This emblematic building houses a prestigious collection of modern art and has been recognised with international prizes. The museum has played a key role in making Bilbao a modern city attractive to tourists.
