One sight that I really wanted to see ever since I stepped off the plane and saw a model of it, was the Vizcaya Bridge. It was declared a "World Heritage" by the UNESCO in 2006.
This isn’t really a bridge per se, it is actually a Transport Bridge, and the oldest at that, built in 1893. What it looks like is a bridge, but you don’t drive across the top of it, you park your car or walk onto a gondola and the gondola is moved to the other side. The gondola hangs via wires just above the river. The platform hold six cars and has people compartments on either side. It is a very short ride across the river to the other side and very smooth. I went back and forth…
Now comes the fun part, you can take an elevator to the top of it and walk along the support beam along the top. I was the only one go up and be at the top when I was there. An elevator operator comes out, takes you up and leaves you up there. You have to push an intercom to get him to come and get you.
The walkway is 17 stories above the water and it was a little windy. If you are scared of heights, probably isn’t the best thing for you. The walkway is like a boardwalk, boards. And you can see directly down into the water way below. The iron structure doesn’t sway that much but as you are walking the boards creak which doesn’t give you the best feeling. Also the whole thing vibrates as the gondola goes by since the rails are just underneath your feet. It cost 5 euro to get to the top. I’m glad I headed out there.
Puente was a simple 20 minute metro ride from Bilbao.