Bilbao, the largest city in Northern Spain, is a vibrant hub of culture, history, and sporting excellence. With a population of around one million, the city is easily accessible, with direct flights from most major airports and a short 20-minute cab ride from the airport to the city center.
But Bilbao is more than just a gateway—it’s a city waiting to be discovered. The best way to explore its charms is on foot, whether you prefer to wander its historic streets aimlessly or follow a carefully mapped route. Whichever approach you take, Bilbao offers plenty to captivate visitors beyond the golf course.
Bilbao: A Cultural Gem
One of Bilbao’s most famous landmarks is the Guggenheim Museum, a breathtaking architectural wonder designed by Frank Gehry. Opened in 1997, this modern and contemporary art museum stands on the banks of the Nervión River, its shimmering titanium curves redefining Bilbao’s skyline. Inside, it houses works from world-renowned artists, making it a must-visit for anyone with an appreciation for art and architecture.
For those who prefer classical art, the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum offers an impressive collection spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day. Bilbao’s Casco Viejo is a lively, historic district filled with narrow cobbled streets, medieval buildings, and bustling pintxos bars. It’s the perfect place to experience the local Basque culture, enjoy world-class cuisine, and soak in the city’s rich history.
The Land of Legends – Golfing in Bilbao
Bilbao is a major hub of Costa Verde Golf’s “Land of Legends”, a collection of courses designed by José María Olazábal and Seve Ballesteros—two of Spain’s greatest golfing icons. The third legend, Jon Rahm, honed his skills at clubs in this region.
The Land of Legends courses blend world-class golfing with stunning landscapes, offering a unique and unforgettable golfing experience. Tony Fuller Melia and his team at Costa Verde Golf can organise sightseeing tours as well as golf. Tony and his team live in the Costa Verde so you can get advice from the locals on the best restaurants to eat in and which of the wonderful wine bars to experience the true nature of of Spanish life.
A Historic Club with Stunning Coastal Views
Founded in 1911, the Real Sociedad de Golf de Neguri played on an 11-hole course for its first 50 years before expanding to a full 18-hole layout in 1961. Located just 15 minutes from Bilbao, the course sits 60 meters above sea level, offering spectacular views over the Cantabrian Sea.
Designed by the legendary D. Javier Arana, this 6,900-yard, par-72 course presents a combination of clifftop golf and woodland precision, demanding strategic play and accuracy.
Clifftop Golf – The Front Nine
The 3rd is as close as you get to the top of the cliff. It’s a strong par 4 of 440 yards. You need to find the fairway as the 2nd shot is uphill and is at least one club more than the distance to a green that you can’t see much of.
The 6th
The 6th is a lovely par 3 of 210 yards. It plays uphill and the bunker in front is deceptive as there’s another 20 yards to reach the green once you carry it.
The 7th
The 7th was my favourite hole on the course. You can see the hole laid out in front of you from the elevated tee. It plays downhill then your second shot is to the green that’s above you. It’s a 2 club difference from front to back of the tiered green.
The 9th
The 9th is another really good hole. Although it’s a relatively short par 4 at 350 yards, I would recommend a long iron or hybrid off the tee as the tree-lined fairway narrows in at 230 yards. Playing shorter off the tee gives you more options and it’s only a 9 iron or a wedge to the green. The trees on either side frame the green with the clubhouse in the background.
Precision Play – The Back Nine
Approach to the 13th green
The course shifts inland for the back nine, winding through a picturesque pine forest, requiring accuracy off the tee. The 13th is a strong par 5 at 550 yards and plays back towards the sea. Play it as a 3-shot hole and it’s a straightforward par.
The 14th
The par 3 14th is a beautifully framed hole. It plays uphill with a large bunker cut into the hillside short of the green. The 18th is another par 5 of 550 yards. It’s a slight dogleg to the right and again the fairway narrows in the closer you get to the green. Like the 9th, visually, the narrow chute through the trees to the green with the clubhouse beyond is stunning.
Jon Rahm, a member of Neguri, has called it the “Torrey Pines of Bilbao”, and it’s easy to see why. The club is traditionally private, but Costa Verde Golf has exclusive visitor access, making this a must-play for any golfer visiting the Basque Country.
At a Glance:
- 18-hole championship course
- Coastal and forested holes
- Excellent conditioning
- Swimming pools, paddle tennis, and croquet
- Only 15 minutes from Bilbao
Uraburu Golf – A Mountainous Test of Skill
Set in the mountains 15 minutes from Bilbao, Uraburu Golf was designed in 2003 by two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal. Built on the side of a mountain, the course is a challenging, visually stunning test of golf with dramatic elevation changes.
Mountain views from the Uraburu clubhouse
Play from the Yellows!
The course is 6,100 yards from the yellow tees and that’s plenty long enough with the elevation changes. It’s also ideal because if you played from the back tee on the first hole, it’s a blind downhill tee shot on a 400-yard hole with trouble left and right. From the yellow tee, you can see the green so you have something to aim at.
The stunning 2nd hole
The 2nd is a lovely par 3 over a lake, not long but you have to hit the green to make par. There are 2 par 5’s on the front nine, the 5th and the 9th. Both are over 500 yards and demand accuracy off the tee, especially on the 9th which has a lot of trouble all the way down the right-hand side.
Back Nine Favourites
The 11th
My favourite hole on the course was the 11th, a 610-yard par 5. It plays downhill, thankfully, and is such a picturesque hole, beautifully framed with the mountains in the background.
The 16th
Another favourite was the 16th hole. A 400-yard par 4, with a slight dogleg left and the 2nd shot, is over water to a narrow undulating green. It’s an excellent par 4.
José María Olazabal has done a magnificent job of sculpting this course on the side of a mountain. The course was in great condition and the greens were in excellent. I highly recommend a visit to Uraburu Golf. It has wonderful views and is a challenging course. It is very different to any of the other courses in the Costa Verde region.
Read our full article on the experience of playing at Uraburu Golf here.
At a Glance:
- 18-hole championship course
- Designed by José María Olazábal
- Dramatic elevation changes
- Stunning mountain views
- Highly challenging – buggies recommended
- Only 15 minutes from Bilbao
For a Seve Ballesteros experience, add Meaztegi Golf, his public-access design just 25 minutes from Bilbao, to your itinerary. Read about our experience of playing Meaztegi Golf here.
Bilbao’s Football Passion – San Mamés Stadium
Football is an integral part of Bilbao’s identity, and no visit is complete without a stop at San Mamés Stadium, home of Athletic Club(Athletico Bilbao).
Built next to the original 1913 stadium, the new San Mamés opened in 2013, seating 53,000 fans. The club’s unique philosophy of fielding only Basque players has created a deep-rooted connection between the team and its supporters.
Nicknamed “The Lions,” Athletic Club takes inspiration from Saint Mammes, an early Christian martyr who, according to legend, tamed lions by preaching to them before his execution. For football fans, a tour of San Mamés is a must—an opportunity to witness the passion that defines this proud Basque city.
Where to Stay – Ilunion San Mamés
For a comfortable stay in the heart of Bilbao, the 4-star Ilunion San Mamés is an excellent choice. It’s located near the Guggenheim Museum. Also nearby is the Gran Vía shopping district and San Mamés Stadium The hoteloffers modern, stylish rooms and top-tier amenities.
After a day of golf, unwind under the rainfall shower, savour an excellent meal at the in-house restaurant, and enjoy the vibrant city atmosphere.
Visit the hotel’s website here.
Final Thoughts – Golf, Culture, and the Basque Experience
Bilbao is more than just a city—it’s an experience. Whether you’re playing world-class courses designed by Spanish golfing legends, exploring the Guggenheim Museum, or immersing yourself in Basque history, Bilbao delivers a perfect blend of golf, culture, and adventure.
With continued investment in its courses and infrastructure, Bilbao is fast becoming a premier golf destination in Europe. Don’t miss the chance to experience it for yourself. Contact Tony Fuller Melia at Costa Verde Golf by emailing [email protected]
Jim Callaghan CCM is a former Club Manager with experience overseeing several top Scottish clubs.
Now, as European Editor of Golf Operator Magazine and World’s Best Golf Destinations, he shares insights into club operations and his golfing adventures across Europe.
Jim is also an Ambassador for premium clothing brand Fenix Xcell Clothing and also for the Spanish local DMC, Costa Verde Golf.
If you want to reach over 400,000 golfers who love to travel, contact Jim at [email protected] or call 0044 (0) 78522 88732.
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