Funicular de Artxanda
The Funicular de Artxanda is a cable railway in Bilbaos Uribarri neighborhood that connects the city to the Artxanda hilltop. The ride takes about three minutes and climbs over 220 meters of elevation along a route of about 770 meters.
The cable railway opened in 1915 to provide access to a casino that operated on the hilltop at that time. It suffered damage during the Spanish Civil War but was repaired and underwent major modernization in 1983.
The name Artxanda comes from the Basque language and refers to the hilltop where the upper station sits. For locals, the ride is a simple daily ritual to escape the city center and reach green spaces, while visitors often use it to show friends and family the city from above.
The lower station is located at Plaza del Funicular in Uribarri, about ten minutes walk from Bilbaos city hall. Tickets can be purchased at either station, and trains depart every fifteen minutes throughout the day.
The cable railway was originally built by a Swiss company to transport tourists to a casino on the summit. After the casino closed, it evolved into a simple transit option and viewing point used daily by hundreds of Bilbao residents.
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