AenaNewsQuarterly magazine for airlines, airports, tour-operators and tourism authorities

Bilbao Airport

Issue 17

Index

Bilbao Airport

PageLatest News on Spanish Airports

Aena will attend Routes Europe in Bilbao from 22 to 24 AprilOur Team hopes to see you in our stand number HNS3 in Bilbao.

Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport among the ten best airports in the World according to eDreamsThe online travel agency, eDreams, has published the results of the 18th edition of its study “Best airports 2018”, in which more than 50,000 travelers have commented on the characteristics and services of the airports around the World. The ranking is led by Changi Airport, and there are eight European airports among the top ten best airports in which Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport ranks 8th.

Additionally, airport users consider Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport to be among the three best airports in the World in the category of gastronomy, after El Dorado (Bogota) and Zurich.

New personal shopper service available at Málaga-Costal del Sol AirportMálaga-Costa del Sol Airport inaugurated the new Personal Shopper service in March 2018, where customized advisory service is available in different languages (Spanish, English, French and Russian) to make purchases quickly and conveniently, with recommendations on products and services that can be found at the airport. Passengers can also benefit from assitance with customs formalities and tax management.

The service can be requested prior the arrival at the airport in many ways:

• By email: personalshopperagp@aena.es

• Aena’s website: www.aena.es

• By phone: +34 627 253 832

PageNew Routes

From To AirlineFuerteventura Berlin Tegel GermaniaFuerteventura Katowice (via Cologne) Grupo Small PlanetFuerteventura Stockholm NorwegianFuerteventura Berlin Tegel TUIflyGran Canaria Aalborg (via Faro) Danish Air TransportGran Canaria Geneva easyJetGran Canaria Berlin Tegel GermaniaGran Canaria Warsaw Grupo Small PlanetGran Canaria Ostersund Jet TimeGran Canaria Nuremberg NikiGran Canaria Hamburgh NikiGran Canaria Aalborg NorwegianGran Canaria Goteborg Scandinavian AirlinesGran Canaria Berlin Tegel SundairGran Canaria Berlin Tegel TUIflyGran Canaria Lyon VuelingLa Palma Dusseldorf EurowingsLa Palma Hamburgh EurowingsLa Palma Stuttgart EurowingsLa Palma Nuremberg GermaniaLa Palma Frankfurt NikiLanzarote Brussels Brussels AirlinesLanzarote Wroclaw (via Poznan) Enter AirLanzarote Munich EurowingsLanzarote Berlin Tegel GermaniaLanzarote Warsaw Grupo Small PlanetLanzarote Hamburgh NikiLanzarote Cologne NikiLanzarote Munich NikiMalaga-Costa del Sol Helsinki Scandinavian AirlinesPalma de Mallorca Frankfurt EurowingsPamplona Frankfurt LufthansaSeville Krakow Ryanair

November 2017 November 2017 (cont.)

Source: Aena

From To AirlineTenerife South Naples easyJetTenerife South Berlin Tegel GermaniaTenerife South Nuremberg NikiTenerife South Stuttgart NikiTenerife South Berlin Tegel SundairTenerife South Berlin Tegel SundairTenerife South Kassel Sundair

From To AirlineAS Madrid-Barajas Caracas Estelar LatinoamericanaAS Madrid-Barajas Marrakech Air EuropaAS Madrid-Barajas Recife Air EuropaBilbao FGL Granada-Jaen VuelingFGL Granada-Jaen Paris CDG VuelingFGL Granada-Jaen Gran Canaria VuelingFGL Granada-Jaen Tenerife South VuelingFuerteventura Seville Vueling

December 2017

From To AirlineAS Madrid Barajas Berlin Tegel easyJetFuerteventura Berlin Tegel Eurowings

January 2018

From To AirlineAlmeria Brussels Brussels Airlines

February 2018

Page

Source: Aena

March 2018 March 2018 (cont.)

From To AirlineA.S.Madrid-Barajas Shenzhen Hainan AirlinesA.S.Madrid-Barajas Bergen NorwegianA.S.Madrid-Barajas Geneva VoloteaAlicante-Elche Stuttgart EurowingsAlicante-Elche Pardubice RyanairAlicante-Elche Bodo Scandinavian AirlinesAlicante-Elche Marseille VuelingAlmeria London Heathrow British AirwaysBarcelona-El Prat Tbilisi Georgian AirwaysBarcelona-El Prat Boston LevelBarcelona-El Prat La Valeta RyanairBarcelona-El Prat Porto TAPBarcelona-El Prat Alghero VuelingBilbao La Valeta VoloteaBilbao Vienna VoloteaBilbao Malaga-Costa del Sol VoloteaBilbao Lisbon VuelingBilbao Jerez VuelingFuerteventura Dusseldorf Azur AirFuerteventura Lyon EasyjetFuerteventura Dusseldorf Grupo Small PlanetFuerteventura Cologne Olympus AirwaysFuerteventura Zurich Olympus AirwaysFuerteventura Hamburgh Olympus AirwaysFuerteventura Stuttgart Olympus AirwaysGirona- Costa Brava Riga RyanairGirona- Costa Brava Frankfurt RyanairGirona- Costa Brava Kaunas RyanairGran Canaria Dusseldorf Azur AirGran Canaria Hannover Olympus AirwaysGran Canaria Zurich Olympus AirwaysGran Canaria Venice RyanairLa Palma Tenerife North Air Europa

From To AirlineMalaga-Costa del Sol Riga Air BalticMalaga-Costa del Sol La Valeta Air MaltaMalaga-Costa del Sol Warsaw RyanairMalaga-Costa del Sol Aarhus Scandinavian AirlinesMalaga-Costa del Sol Malmo Scandinavian AirlinesMalaga-Costa del Sol Paris Orly TUIfly BelgiumMalaga-Costa del Sol Sofia Wizz AirMenorca London Stansted easyJetMurcia-San Javier Frankfurt RyanairPalma de Mallorca Dusseldorf EurowingsPalma de Mallorca Warsaw RyanairPalma de Mallorca Aarhus Scandinavian AirlinesPalma de Mallorca A Coruña VuelingReus London Stansted EasyJetReus Shannon RyanairSB - Santander Budapest RyanairSeville Edinburgh EasyJetSeville Nice EasyJetSeville Copenhagen RyanairSeville La Valeta RyanairTenerife South Zurich Olympus AirwaysTenerife South Cologne Olympus AirwaysTenerife South Stuttgart Olympus AirwaysValencia Rome AlitaliaValencia Bristol RyanairValencia Palermo RyanairValencia Brussels TUIfly Belgium

New Routes

Page

Airport

Q1 2018

Passengers

Change

Q1 2018 -

Q1 2017

Change, %

Q1 2018 -

Q1 2017

26 Almeria 123,389 -15,987 -11.5%

27 Zaragoza 88,271 1,495 1.7%

28 Melilla 74,950 3,083 4.3%

29 San Sebastian 64,117 6,138 10.6%

30 El Hierro 52,291 16,533 46.2%

31 Valladolid 47,231 6,447 15.8%

32 Pamplona 44,295 8,513 23.8%

33 Vitoria 37,899 35,287 -

34 Reus 29,816 1,405 4.9%

35 Leon 12,621 6,238 97.7%

36 Ceuta Heliport 10,590 10,179 -

37 Badajoz 10,295 1,671 19.4%

38 La Gomera 9,634 1,431 17.4%

39 Algeciras Heliport 7,028 6,980 -

40 Logroño 4,541 -5 -0.1%

41 Salamanca 1,847 -133 -6.7%

42 Cordoba 1,420 -243 -14.6%

43 Sabadell 864 145 20.2%

44 Burgos 693 -7 -1.0%

45 Madrid-Cuatro Vientos 660 216 48.6%

46 Albacete 448 53 13.4%

47 Son Bonet 83 11 15.3%

48 Huesca-Pirineos 71 60 -TOTAL 49,883,589 4,427,804 9.7%

Traffic by Airport

Airport

Q1 2018

Passengers

Change

Q1 2018 -

Q1 2017

Change, %

Q1 2018 -

Q1 2017

1 AS Madrid-Barajas 12,630,390 1,005,967 8.7%

2 Barcelona-El Prat 9,927,159 854,735 9.4%

3 Gran Canaria 3,595,330 261,993 7.9%

4 Malaga-Costa Del Sol 3,193,468 211,310 7.1%

5 Tenerife South 2,954,113 50,602 1.7%

6 Palma De Mallorca 2,756,722 286,125 11.6%

7 Alicante-Elche 2,375,523 95,846 4.2%

8 Lanzarote 1,758,162 86,730 5.2%

9 Valencia 1,533,639 335,621 28.0%

10 Fuerteventura 1,510,050 120,950 8.7%11 Seville 1,388,594 320,778 30.0%12 Tenerife North 1,167,136 203,047 21.1%

13 Bilbao 1,031,030 77,346 8.1%

14 Ibiza 605,275 119,254 24.5%

15 Santiago 558,286 47,580 9.3%

16 La Palma 345,913 26,736 8.4%

17 Asturias 287,834 12,580 4.6%

18 A Coruña 268,095 17,690 7.1%

19 Menorca 245,514 15,366 6.7%

20 FGL Granada-Jaen 242,038 57,719 31.3%

21 Vigo 218,548 26,407 13.7%

22 SB Santander 206,924 47,770 30.0%

23 Girona 155,321 11,222 7.8%24 Jerez De La Frontera 154,049 22,796 17.4%25 Murcia-San Javier 151,422 22,124 17.1%

Statistics

Source: Aena

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Airlines Ranking

Airline

Q1 2017 Q1 2018

Passengers Passengers Market ShareChange

Q1 2018 -

Q1 2017

Change %

Q1 2018 -

Q1 2017

Number of Aena airports operated

1 Ryanair 8,033,723 9,091,537 18.2% 1,057,814 13.2% 23

2 Iberia Group 7,294,555 8,200,238 16.4% 905,683 12.4% 29

3 Vueling 6,167,191 7,329,054 14.7% 1,161,863 18.8% 27

4 Air Europa 3,409,736 3,725,755 7.5% 316,019 9.3% 23

5 easyJet 2,653,815 2,875,822 5.8% 222,007 8.4% 18

6 Lufthansa Group 1,634,332 2,238,617 4.5% 604,285 37.0% 17

7 Norwegian 1,856,809 2,046,001 4.1% 189,192 10.2% 11

8 TUI Group 1,779,142 1,878,965 3.8% 99,823 5.6% 11

9 Binter+ Naysa 1,246,436 1,493,974 3.0% 247,538 19.9% 8

10 Thomas Cook Group 1,398,421 1,340,248 2.7% -58,173 -4.2% 9

11 Jet2.com 549,312 916,368 1.8% 367,056 66.8% 8

12 Transavia 609,673 626,514 1.3% 16,841 2.8% 12

13 British Airways 456,309 518,361 1.0% 62,052 13.6% 11

14 TAP 356,391 419,546 0.8% 63,155 17.7% 11

15 Wizz Air 350,559 416,345 0.8% 65,786 18.8% 9

Other Airlines

7,659,381 6,766,244 13.6% -893,137 -11.7%

Total Aena

45,455,785 49,883,589 100% 4,427,804 9.7%

Statistics

Iberia Group: Iberia, Iberia Express and Air NostrumTUI Group: Thomson Airways, TUIfly, TUIfly Belgium, TUIfly Nordic, TUIfly Netherlands and Corsair

Lufthansa Group: Lufhtansa, Eurowings, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss and Austrian AirlinesThomas Cook Group: Condor, Thomas Cook UK, Thomas Cook Scandinavian and Thomas Cook BelgiumNote: Monach, Air Berlín and Thomas Cook Belgium ceased operations on October 2017 and Niki ceased operations in December 2017 Source: Aena

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Market Ranking I

Statistics

Source: Aena

Country

Q1 2017 Q1 2018

Passengers Passengers Market ShareChange

Q1 2018 -

Q1 2017

Change. %

Q1 2018 -

Q1 2017

1 Spain 14,907,297 17,084,024 34.2% 2,176,727 14.6%

2 United Kingdom 7,066,955 6,974,266 14.0% -92,689 -1.3%

3 Germany 4,585,645 4,938,936 9.9% 353,291 7.7%

4 Italy 2,616,676 2,903,767 5.8% 287,091 11.0%

5 France 2,290,747 2,484,578 5.0% 193,831 8.5%

6 Holland 1,496,983 1,622,681 3.3% 125,698 8.4%

7 Switzerland 1,138,773 1,171,861 2.3% 33,088 2.9%

8 Belgium 1,137,062 1,202,514 2.4% 65,452 5.8%

9 Portugal 851,014 989,690 2.0% 138,676 16.3%

10 Sweden 847,198 918,832 1.8% 71,634 8.5%

Top 10 Countries

36,938,350 40,291,149 80.8% 3,352,799 9.1%

Other Countries

8,517,435 9,592,440 19.2% 1,075,005 12,6%

Total Aena

45,455,785 49,883,589 100% 4,427,804 9.7%

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Market Ranking II

Statistics

Region

Q1 2017 Q1 2018

Passengers Passengers Market ShareChange

Q1 2018 -

Q1 2017

Change. %

Q1 2018 -

Q1 2017

1 Europe 26,641,197 28,423,325 57.0% 1,782,128 6.7%

2 Spain 14,907,297 17,084,024 34.2% 2,176,727 14.6%

3 Latin America 1,894,561 1,996,237 4.0% 101,676 5.4%

4 Africa 690,201 775,787 1.6% 85,586 12.4%

5 North America 542,281 699,242 1.4% 156,961 28.9%

6 Middle-East 605,114 677,670 1.4% 72,556 12%

7 Asia-Pacific 175,134 227,304 0.5% 52,170 29.8%

Total Aena

45,455,785 49,883,589 100% 4,427,804 9.7%

Source: Aena

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Bilbao - Hannover

Potential Routes

Aena’s Marketing Team would be glad to provide your airline with a tailor made business case, so please do not hesitate to contact us at airlinebox@aena.es

0

5

10

15

20

25

Y 2017Y 2016Y 2015Y 2014Y 2013Y 2012

13.5

21.120.3

15.5

Indirect Passengers (K)

19.1

17.5

101,100German tourists

visited

Basque Country

National Statistics Institute (INE) (last available data)

Indirect traffic by year

Indirect Traffic: MIDT 2017 (round trip), Sabre

3%

63%

13%

1%

20%

Hotels and similar

Housing relatives/friends

Other

Housing rent

Second residence

Traveller Accommodation

National Statistics Institute (INE) (last available data)

45% 55%

0% 100%50%

Bilbao-Hannover Hannover-Bilbao

19,800 searches (2017)

Own processed data based on information provided by Skyscanner in 2017

36,096 pax Maximum Historic

Traffic in 2004

TUI Group used to operate the route until 2005. A new route

from Bilbao to Hannover would benefit from the “new route to a

new destination” incentive

Page

Bilbao - Moscow

Potential Routes

Aena’s Marketing Team would be glad to provide your airline with a tailor made business case, so please do not hesitate to contact us at airlinebox@aena.es

0

3

6

9

12

15

Y2017Y 2016Y 2015Y 2014Y 2013Y 2012

13.2

Indirect Passengers (K)

11.010.710.4

9.0

10.1

14%

17%

69%

Hotels and Similar

Housing relatives/Friends

Other

Traveller Accommodation

National Statistics Institute (INE) (last available data)

36% 64%

0% 100%50%

Bilbao-Moscow Moscow-Bilbao

87,500 searches (2017)

Own processed data based on information provided by Skyscanner in 2017

10,000Russian tourists

visited

Basque CountryNational Statistics Institute (INE)

(last available data)

Indirect traffic by year

Indirect Traffic: MIDT 2017 (round trip), Sabre

Unserved Route

A new route from Bilbao to Moscow would benefit from the

“new route to a new destination” incentive

Page

May 2018Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

July 2018Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

June 2018Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

25 Day of Santiago the Apostle in Galicia

28 Day of Cantabria Region

1 Labor Day

2 Day of Madrid Region

17 Galicia Region Literature Day

30 Day of the Canary Islands

31 Day of Castilla-La Mancha Region

Public Holidays in Spain

9 Day of La Rioja and Murcia Regions

National Holiday Local Holiday

PageDid you know?

Pintxos in the Basque Country

In the Basque Country you can eat very well out of counter dining. The so-called “poteo” or “txikiteo” is well-rooted in the Basque Country eating-out tradition. It consists in going out with friends from bar to bar, drinking a small glass of txakoli wine (named “txikito”) or beer (named “zurito”). This culinary ritual includes food in the form of small bites or pintxos.

Usually a pintxo is a small slice of bread with a small amount of food on top, held together by a toothpick. However pintxos have evolved to become true culinary treasures that can be considered as haute cuisine in the Basque gastronomy, prepared with typical local products: cod, mushrooms, hake, baby squid, etc…

A traditional pintxo bar offer a wide variety of such small portions of food that fill the place with colours, flavours and smells which invite visitors to try authentic small-size culinary delights.

All the Basque capitals have pintxo bars gathered in certain areas, especially in the Old Towns. Walking the streets in any Old Town and coming into a pintxo bar can make a yummy experience.

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Ready to connect with European cities

General Airport Facts Passenger Profile

Timetable

S 04:45-21:30; PS1 HR 10 MIN PPR

W 05:45-22:30; PS1 HR 10 MIN PPR

Runways10/28 (1,910 x 45 m.)12/30 (2,600 x 45m.)

CommercialAviation Parkingstands

21 parking stands6 air bridges

Terminal Services

36 check-in counters14 boarding gates7 baggage claim belts1 VIP lounge8 Restaurants andcafeterias6 Shops and Duty Free

Potential routesCheck the unserved routes at The Route Shop Profile (anna.aero) by clicking here

Discover Bilbao Airport

Source: Aena

Bilbao city has become an important business and tourist centre, encouraging economic growth in the area. Bilbao Airport, located 12 kilometres from the Biscay capital, in the municipality of Loiu, handles mostly domestic scheduled flights, altough is well prepared for the arrival of new airlines opening new European routes.

53%Man

47% Woman

Nationality

77%Spanish

23%Foreign

Residence

44%Rest of Spain

32%

24%Foreign

Reason of the Journey100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0Holidays

43%

Other

6%

Business

38%

Visit Family/Friends

13%

Biscay Region

Age

>64

7%4% 19% 49% 21%

< 15 15 - 29 30 - 49 50 - 64

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Business and tourism looking for access to a wide variety of European destinations

Basque Country, opportunities for new routes

Bilbao, the largest city of the Basque Country region, gives its name to the airport, which is the main airport in northern Spain. Well-known for its manufacturing industries and stunning gastronomy, the Basque Country is making a special effort to increase the number of visitors that come purely for pleasure and recreation, something that was very unusual a couple of decades ago.

Due to its dynamic business environment, Bilbao Airport is historically linked with the main industrial areas of Western Europe, including Germany, London or Paris. But being well-connected with the main European hubs is not enough for a vibrant territory that can offer foreign visitors the great landscapes of the valleys, San Sebastian, with its unique bay, or the vineyards in Rioja Alavesa.

The number of passengers passing through Bilbao Airport reached almost 5 million in 2017, but the airport has enough capacity to grow with new European and domestic flights. The operating hours at Bilbao Airport allows airlines to fly to any place in Europe at convenient times. Aena, the airport operator, offers an Incentive Scheme that rewards airlines that open new routes with up to 100% discount in the passenger charge and support the opening of new routes with Marketing Support.

The Basque Country leads the top Spanish Regions, together with Madrid, Catalonia and Navarre. It has always been an economy based

on the industrial sector. Trade and finance have benefitted from the intensive industrialization that began in the 19th century with the iron mines in Biscay and the big factories that produced the steel needed for car and ship manufacturing.

Nowadays the industrial sector is predominant, with almost 24% of the Basque economy dependent on it. Inside the industrial sector, the automotive and machine tool sectors concentrate the highest number of leading companies. This is also the case in other related activities, as, for example, train manufacturing, where local and foreign companies invest heavily in their Basque plants.

Water cannon salute at the opening flight (Vueling, Bilbao-Jerez)

But the image of a “grey and boring industrial country” is gradually changing in the Basque territories, thanks to efforts in Research and Development, Tourism and Services, which are changing the Basque model. The change of the industrial image after the boom of Bilbao city, known in Europe and America when the Guggenheim Museum was opened, in 1998, is setting a new standard to create a “Basque experience”, something that is far from the “sun and beach” formula and that is much appreciated by certain target travelers in Europe and also in Asia and the Middle East.

Source: Basquetour

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Nature, architecture, innovation and tradition

Discover Euskadi

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (Bermeo, Vizcaya)

The unmistakable greens and blues draw your gaze to a country filled with tradition and identity, where, for aeons, the sea and the land have brought together common centres of custom and innovation. The language, Euskera, is one of the most cherished treasures that has even been speculated that, given its remote origin, it may be the oldest known language to date in Europe.

Over its mountains and landscapes, an infinite number of links between the past and present are woven among its people. From the marine plateaus which have defined its fishing character to the exuberant and rugged lowlands which have borne witness to its farming and industrial activities, Euskadi continues to grow without losing sight of its origins. Proof of this is its solid and highly qualified industrial sector, where areas such as the automotive, aeronautical, environmental, technology, industrial design, engineering and machine industries flourish to remain in a leading position in terms of sustainability, avant-garde and innovation.

The inland and coastal zones, together with the three capital cities sum up to perfection the wealth and diversity of the country: Bilbao, with the transformation of a city of industrial renown to an avant-garde urban metropolis; Donostia/San Sebastian, always exquisite and unique with its French architectural influences, its coastline and top-quality cuisine, and Vitoria/Gazteiz, surrounded by natural passable zones full of green, combined with an urban planning which is of reference at global level.

Source: Basquetour

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Infrastructure and Industry

Discover Euskadi

Bridge (Portugalete, Biscay)

Infrastructure

Although Euskadi is a small region, it has successfully adapted to new social and business challenges, improving its competitiveness to maintain its leading positions in a steadily progressing and globalised economy. Euskadi is a region characterized by its highly industrialised and increasingly improved connections to the world. Moreover, thanks to its firmly-rooted history based on tradition, the Basque Country has, on a daily basis, a meaningful commitment with its people, language and ancient customs, in order to keep its history and integrity alive.

Euskadi enjoys a strategic position as a key link in the European Atlantic corridor and as the natural entry point from the continent towards the southern part of the country. Euskadi is also in the transit zone between the Spanish and Portuguese markets and the rest of Europe, within an area of influence of more than 2,000 km connecting more than 10 EU regions, with 80 million inhabitants, 25% of the population of the Euro zone.

Aware of this privileged location, Euskadi has created a first-rate system with its logistics and transport network, perfectly coordinated and interconnected within the country and with the major European networks, providing it with an incomparable multi-modal Logistical Platform for the accessibility of people and the transport of goods in the south-west of Europe

Basque Industry

The Basque Country Industry, a leading model of solid industrial development, represents a conscious commitment to efficiency, quality, technical excellence and internationalization. Due to its major impact on the country’s wealth, employment, technological development and the development of other sectors, industry has always been a strategic target for investment and incentives. In consequence, the success of the Basque industry policies lies in the firm commitment of the Basque Government to support businesses on the path to competitiveness.

With more than 5,000 companies willing to hold the highest quality certificates and standards, and thanks to a wide and rich experience and tradition in this sector, the Basque Country has set forth on the road to competitiveness as a key factor of a globalized and highly industrialised economy.

These are the most remarkable industrial sectors of the Basque Country that make up the image of economic progress and excellence in this open country: advanced machinery, automotive, aeronautical, energy, maritime industry, rail industry, and ecoindustries, among others.

Source: Basquetour

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Tourist Destinations: Bilbao

Discover Euskadi

Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao, Biscay)

Bilbao is the capital of Biscay, as well as a metropolis and economic and financial centre of the Basque Country. The largest city (1,000,000 inhabitants) in the province of Biscay, it is the beating heart of the Basque Country. Bilbao is divided into eight district areas, and the green hills surrounding the city are a relief to the hustle and bustle of the busy city.

Given its proximity to the sea, the climate is mild, perfect weather for exploring the beautiful walkways and bridges along the river. Along the Ría (estuary) of Bilbao, the backbone of the metropolis, you will find the unmistakable Guggenheim Museum, a must-see, both inside and out. Frank Gehry’s spectacular twisting titanium-clad modern art museum is evocative of the ships that used to be moored alongside the docks of Bilbao.

Seventeen bridges span the banks of the estuary inside the city limits. Among the most interesting ones are the Zubizuri, designed by Santiago Calatrava, the Princess of Spain Bridge, also known as “La Salve” and the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

Bilbao is a captivating contradiction of the old and new. Explore the old quarter and get lost in the so-called “las 7 calles” (the seven streets) of the original medieval town, which is a very lively and dynamic mixture of heritage, stores and hospitality establishments. Here you can explore the beautiful façades of buildings

such as the Bidebarrieta Municipal Library. The unique columns that hold up the Alhóndiga are a perfect example of the new modern face of Bilbao.

Bilbao is sophisticated and humming with action, a gateway to the Basque culture. It is

a city that is an example of a dramatic urban transformation and has so much charm to offer to all of its visitors. Internationally renowned for its urban regeneration, Bilbao won the Nobel Prize for Cities in 2010: “Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize”.

Source: Basquetour

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Tourist Destinations: San Sebastian

Discover Euskadi

La Concha Bay (San Sebastian, Guipúzcoa)

San Sebastian is the capital of Gipuzkoa and the major city of the Basque Coast. A city open to the sea, historically regarded as the tourist capital of the Basque Country, and located close to France. It boasts one the most beautiful bays in the world, La Concha, and three city beaches. San Sebastian is surrounded by mountains and viewpoints: Igeldo, Urgull, Ulia and the Isle of Santa Clara, lie on either side of the River Urumea.

San Sebastian reveals a dynamic cultural scene, where grass-roots initiatives based in different parts of the city and the arranged private and public synergy have paved the ground for a rich range of possibilities and catering events.

For taking a stroll, there are highly recommended walks and nature-related activities on foot and/or by bicycle along the promenade from the “Peine de los Vientos” magnificent sculptures by Chillida to the Kursaal, up urban mountains, the parks and gardens and for enjoying the delightful pace of life by the sea or going to the beaches to surf.

The city was selected as European Capital of Culture in 2016, with the slogan, “Waves of people’s energy”, summarizing a clear message: people and movements of citizens are the real driving force behind transformations and changes in the world. It is also known for the slightly sparkling wine “Txakoli” and for the bars springing up all over the old part of the city, being the place in the world with more Michelin Stars per square meter. This makes San Sebastián a premium gastronomic destination.

Source: Basquetour

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Tourist Destinations: Vitoria-Gasteiz

Discover Euskadi

Medieval Wall (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava)

Vitoria/Gasteiz is the capital of Alava, and Vitoria is the administrative capital of the Basque Country. It also boasts the most important logistics center in the north of Spain with its green natural surroundings.

Vitoria has a lot to offer. It boasts the best preserved medieval center of all the Basque Cities and an important renaissance architecture. Many buildings there date back to the 1,500s or earlier. The almond-shaped center is also partly surrounded by an 11th century wall along with several impressive watchtowers such as the one in San Miguel Arcángel church. The Cathedral of Santa Maria is also an example of the particularly outstanding city architecture.

Moreover, it was selected European Green Capital in 2012 for its commitment to sustainability, which makes Vitoria a perfect place for nature sports along “The Green Belt” with paths, lakes and reservoirs integrated into a fabulous scenery full of flora and fauna, through the towns and villages of Vitoria (Estibaliz, Armentia, Foronda, etc.).

Its large selection of bars and restaurants, serving high quality food and the famous pintxos made Vitoria-Gasteiz the Spanish Gastronomy Capital in 2014.

Source: Basquetour

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Mountains, coast and vineyards

Discover Euskadi

Waterfall (Sobron, Álava)

Zumaia beach (Guipúzcoa)

Marqués de Riscal vineyard and hotel (Álava)

The Basque Mountains and Valleys

The Basque Mountains and Valleys with their green landscapes and villages full of age-old traditions which continue alive today, are the most representative symbols of Basque history and tradition. The Basque Mountains and Valleys are our natural scenario, where a profound reflection of the most ancient Basque culture and customs lives on: Gernika and the General Assembly Hall, the montes bocineros (beacon mountains), the myths and legends of Euskadi, the farm and its way of life, rural sport.

Natural parks and routes are also a highlight, as well as the Camino de Santiago and other religious sites, attracting thousands of travelers and pilgrims every year: Loyola, Arantzazu, La Antigua, Zenarruza, Estibaliz and Urkiola, among others.

The Basque Coast

The Basque Coast displays the most abrupt and diverse reliefs of the Basque landscapes, full of charm and beauty: fishing villages and seaside towns with beaches both near cities and breathtaking locations, big estuaries and magnificent cliffs with views to the ever-changing oceans.

Among its emblematic towns and areas, Hondarribia, Zarautz, Getxo, Lekeitio, La Concha Bay in San Sebastian, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the Getaria Muse, the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve and the Geopark must be highlighted.

Rioja Alavesa

Rioja Alavesa is a land of ancient vineyards and villages, where a unique wine from the tempranillo grape is produced. Watered by the river Ebro and surrounded by the Sierra of Cantabria, this emblematic region boasts the most spectacular wineries, many of them designed by great architects: Ysios, Baigorri, Riscal, Viñarreal-CVNE. This region offers its wines under a certificate of origin that is recognized as one of the best in the world.

Source: Basquetour

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PageWhat to do in the Basque Country

MAY 2018• Fantasy Film Festival (Bilbao, 4-11 May)• Basque Cheese Festival (Idiazabal, 5-6 May)• 16th International Marathon Martin Fiz

(Vitoria-Gasteiz, 6 May)• European Rugby Champions Cup (Bilbao, 11-

12 May)• Txakoli Day (Amurrio, 20 May)• Bilbao Triathlon (Bilbao, 26 May)• Maz Festival Basauri (Basauri, 31 May-3

June)• Musikaste, Basque Music Week (31 May-3

June)

JUNE 2018• Kaldearte (Vitoria-Gasteiz, 6-8 June)• Triathlon Zarautz (9 June)• Puntaik Punta (Aretxabaleta, 15-17 June)• 17th Azkena Rock Festival (22-23 June)• Bonfires of Saint John (San Sebastian, 23

June)• Semana Grande del Pintxo (Vitoria-Gasteiz,

30 June)• Open Day vineyards (Salinillas de Buradón,

30 June)• The World’s 50 Best Restaurants (Bilbao, 30

June)

JULY 2018• Donosti Cup, International Football Cup (San

Sebastian, 1-7 July)• Getxo Jazz Festival (Getxo, 4-7 July)• 12th Triathlon Vitoria-Gasteiz (8 July)• XIX Sailing Regata (San Sebastian, 14-15

July)

• Hondarribia Blues Festival (Hondarribia, 14-16 July)

• 42nd International Jazz Festival (Vitoria-Gasteiz, 17-21 July)

• 53 Heineken Jazzaldia, International Jazz Festival (San Sebastian, 25-29 July)

AUGUST 2018• 79th Music Festival (San Sebastian, 2 August

- 1 September)• White Virgin Festival (Vitoria-Gasteiz, 4-9

August)• San Sebastian cyclist race (San Sebastian, 4

August)• The landing of Juan Sebastian Elcano

(Getaria, 7 August)• Senana Grande San Sebastian (11-18

August)• Semana Grande Bilbao (18-26 August)• Getxo Photo (Getxo, 30 August - 30

September)• Euskal Jaiak (San Sebastian, 31 August - 9

September)

SEPTEMBER 2018• 365 Jazz Bilbao Festival (Bilbao, September-

December)• Kutxa Kultur Festival (1-2 September)• La Concha Ocean Race (San Sebastian, 2-9

September)• Atlantikaldia (Errenteria, 20-23 September)• 66th Zinemaldia Film Festival (San

Sebastian, 21-29 September)• Cross Euskal Kosta, half marathon (29

September)

• Harvest Festival (Rioja Alavesa, 29 September)

• 30th Magialdia Festival (Vitoria-Gasteiz, 29 September)

• Getxo Folk BBK (Getxo, 29 September)• Ja! Bilbao, International Festival (Bilbao, 29

September)

OCTOBER 2018• Donostikluba (San Sebastian, 4-6 October)• Gastronomica Congress (San Sebastian, 7-10

October)• Invisible Cinema Festival (Bilbao, 18-25

October)• Bilbao Night Marathon (Bilbao, 20 October)• XXIX Horror and Fantasy Film Festival (San

Sebastian 27 October - 2 November)• International Theatre Festival (Vitoria-

Gasteiz, 29 October)•

NOVEMBER 2018• Behovia-San Sebastian (11 November)• Getxo Arte (Getxo, November-December)

DECEMBER 2018• Ardoaraba, wine festival (Vitoria-Gasteiz, 6-8

December)• Durango Azoka (Durango, 6-9 December)

Thanks to an internal commitment to its people and to the constant improvement of its products and services, year after year Euskadi is host to a variety of events, at local, national and international level, with the aim of leading a tourist and cultural agenda of quality, while strengthening its opening and visibility.

Source: Basquetour

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