Flights from Bilbao to Portugal from 22EUR*

Flights to Portugal from Bilbao

Portugal has 3 direct gateways from Bilbao: Lisbon in just under 2 hours, Porto in a little over an hour, and Faro, which puts you straight into the Algarve without going through either of the other two.

That last one is the route that changes plans the most. Flying direct to the south saves the drive or train journey that almost everyone assumes is part of the trip, and turns the Algarve into a weekend destination from the Cantabrian coast.

What documents you need to travel to Portugal

Portugal is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area, so Spanish and other EU citizens only need a valid national ID card or passport, with no visa.

On Schengen flights you must show the physical Spanish ID card (DNI). The digital version is only valid on flights within Spain, and that detail catches people out at the check-in desk. If you are travelling with minors, each of them needs their own valid document. If you hold another nationality, check your case on the travel documents page before you book.

What to know when you land in Portugal

From the airport to the centre. All 3 airports are close to their cities, which is fairly unusual. In Lisbon, the red metro line gets you to the centre in about 20 minutes. In Porto, the metro to the central area takes around 40 minutes. Faro airport is a few kilometres from the old town, and that is where connections to the Algarve beaches leave from.

The train between Lisbon and Porto. The journey takes under 3 hours, so you can arrive in one city and leave from the other without doubling back. It is the combination that works best for a week, and both cities have direct flights from Bilbao.

Climate by region. The north, Porto included, is rainy in autumn and winter. The Alentejo and the Algarve have long, very hot summers, with temperatures above 35°C in July and August. Lisbon sits in between, with mild winters.

Getting around. In Lisbon, the Viva Viagem card covers the metro, buses and trams, and you can buy it at the airport as soon as you land. In the Algarve, a hire car is what lets you explore the coast at your own pace.

Portugal uses the euro. Plug sockets are types C and F, at 230V, and English gets you by in tourist areas.

What to do in Portugal

Lisbon

Lisbon brings together history, food and a cultural scene that goes well beyond fado. The Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, both World Heritage Sites, account for the classic sightseeing, while Alfama, Mouraria and LX Factory feel like 3 different cities within one. You can cover them on foot. The hills are the catch: they are steeper than they look in photos.

Porto and the Douro

Porto is more compact than Lisbon and easier to get to grips with in a few days. The wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river, the Bolhão Market and the riverfront will comfortably fill a weekend. Further inland, the Douro Valley adds terraced vineyards and quintas where you can stay the night.

The Algarve, from Faro

This is where the direct flight to Faro really pays off: you land and you are already on the coast. Praia da Marinha, Lagos and Sagres have the most recognisable cliffs. Outside the summer months, there are coastal walking trails and cooking built on local produce that holds its own against any other part of the country.

The Alentejo

An hour and a half by road from Lisbon. This is the most inland and least crowded region: cork, vineyards, walled towns such as Évora and cooking based on local produce that is worth the detour on its own. It is what you add to a city break when you have 2 days to spare.

Luggage for your flight to Portugal

What you can take depends on the fare you choose when you book. The simplest fare includes a personal item that goes under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

For a weekend away, what fits in the cabin is usually enough. If the trip is longer or mixes city and beach, sorting it out while you book saves you surprises at the airport. Check the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.