Bilbao's metro, with its stylish fosteritos that rise out the street floor, named after their author, the British architect Sir Norman Foster, is the fastest way to get around the city - and beyond, all the way to the beaches.

Line 1 (Etxebarri-Plentzia) links the centre to the right-bank districts.

Line 2 (Basauri-Kabienzes) connects it to the left-bank district.

The network is divided into three zones and the ticket price depends on how many your journey will cross (all of Bilbao's centre is in Zone 1).

Line 2 (Ansio) leaves you 200 metres from the BEC's main entrance (north entrance).

If you prefer the bus, Line A3136 (Bilbao-Barakaldo-Santurtzi) will also drop you at Ansio (54 min. from Abando).

If you're using the metro more than once, it might be worth to get an Anonymous Barik Card.

This travel pass only costs 3€. It can be used on the metro, buses including Bizkaibus and Bilbobus, and funiculars, as well as Park and Ride car parks (Leioa, Etxebarri, Ibarbengoa, and Ansio BEC).

The card can be purchased from card-vending machines in metro and Renfe stations, at the Abando station, and anywhere you see the Barik sign. And it can be topped up in almost every station.

Up to 10 people can travel with the same Anonymous Barik Card at the same time - provided they all start their journey together and there is enough balance on the card.

24, 48 or 72 hours in Bilbao?

The Bilbao Bizkaia Card gives you unlimited access to most of the the public transport network (metro, tram, Bizkaibus and Bilbobus, and funiculars) in and around the city.

You'd like to discover the old town, Casco Viejo, or to take in Bilbao's amazing architecture? Free walking guided tours are included.

The card can also be used to skip the queues to the city's two most popular attractions: the Guggemheim Museum Bilbao and the Bilbao Museoa.

Discounts are available from a range of partners: restaurants, cultural venues, and others.

Activated on your first entry on the network, the card is personal and non-transferable.