Monte Igueldo

You can ascend Monte Igueldo by car or on foot along the winding Paseo del Faro (aka Itsasargi Pasealekua); alternatively, a funicular runs up the hill from Plaza del Funicular. Once you’re up, head to the lookout area for great photo ops. Most people visit for the panoramic view, but the small Monte Igueldo Amusement Park entertains families with 20 attractions, including bumper cars, a boat pond, a carousel, a gentle rollercoaster, and a haunted house.

• Parking is free for those with an entrance ticket to the amusement park.

• Attractions may be closed during rainy or inclement weather.

• Should you wish to extend your time on Monte Igueldo, there’s restaurant and hotel at the top.

Walk or drive up Paseo del Faro from the Plaza del Funicular, or take the funicular itself. There’s also a bus that runs along Satrustegi Hiribidea to the Plaza del Funicular.

Go at sunset for romantic views—and to avoid the main amusement park crowds—or head up in the morning to beat the line for the funicular, which runs every 15 minutes. Opening times for the funicular, amusement park, and lookout vary depending on the day of the week and the month, with shorter hours and closures in the winter; check the website for information.

At the foot of Monte Igueldo, on the far western side of the bay, stands “Peine del Viento,” or “Comb of the Wind,” an outdoor work of art by sculptor Eduardo Chillida. A waterfront promenade takes you to these three pieces of curved steel, which have perched on the rocky coastline and withstood strong winds and water since 1977.