Bizkaia Province, Spain
Bizkaia province, in the Basque Country, is home to 1,166,816 people in 113 municipalities covering 855 sq mi. Its capital, Bilbao, sits at 23 ft (7 m), and its highest point is Gorbeia, at 4,859 ft (1,481 m).
- Population (2025)
- 1,166,816
- +1.6% since 2015
- Area
- 855 sq mi
- 49th largest of the 50 provinces
- Density
- 1,364 people/sq mi
- Spain: 251 people/sq mi
- Municipalities
- 113
- 37 with fewer than 1,000 people
- Highest point
- 4,859 ft
- Gorbeia
Map of Bizkaia province by municipality
- Capital
- Municipality with an elevation page
- Elevation page (color shows elevation)
- Highest point and peaks
Population and municipalities
With 1,166,816 people on January 1, 2025, Bizkaia province ranks 11th by population and 49th by area among Spain’s 50 provinces. Since 2015 it has gained 18,041 people (1.6%). Density is 1,364 people/sq mi, against a Spanish average of 251 people/sq mi.
The capital, Bilbao, has 351,124 residents, 30% of the province. Next come Barakaldo (102,986), Getxo (75,752), and Santurtzi (46,442).
Of its 113 municipalities (the 29th most of any province), 37 have fewer than 1,000 people. The smallest by population is Arakaldo, with 156, and the largest by area is Karrantza Harana/Valle de Carranza, at 53.2 sq mi.
| Municipality | Population | Area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilbao | 351,124 | 16.0 sq mi | 23 ft |
| Barakaldo | 102,986 | 9.65 sq mi | 79 ft |
| Getxo | 75,752 | 4.58 sq mi | 171 ft |
| Santurtzi | 46,442 | 3.42 sq mi | — |
| Portugalete | 44,843 | 1.21 sq mi | — |
| Basauri | 40,274 | 2.71 sq mi | — |
| Leioa | 32,748 | 3.24 sq mi | — |
| Durango | 30,192 | 4.14 sq mi | — |
| Sestao | 28,512 | 1.38 sq mi | — |
| Galdakao | 24,776 | 9.33 sq mi | — |
Elevation
The capital, Bilbao, sits 23 ft (7 m) above sea level, the 8th lowest of Spain’s 52 provincial capitals and autonomous cities.
According to the IGN’s summit table, the highest point in Bizkaia province is Gorbeia, at 4,859 ft (1,481 m), in the Gorbeia mendigunea, on the border with Álava. It’s 17 mi from the capital in a straight line and 4,836 ft higher.
Besides the capital, 2 cities over 50,000 people have their own elevation page: Getxo (171 ft) and Barakaldo (79 ft).
Basque Country
Bizkaia is one of the 3 provinces of the Basque Country, along with Álava and Gipuzkoa. See Basque Country: its provinces, population and peaks.
Tools and maps
Frequently asked questions
How many municipalities are in Bizkaia province?
113. That ranks 29th among Spain’s provinces, and 37 of them have fewer than 1,000 people.
What is the population of Bizkaia province?
1,166,816, according to the INE’s municipal register on January 1, 2025: the 11th most populous province in Spain.
What is the highest point in Bizkaia province?
Gorbeia, at 4,859 ft (1,481 m), according to the IGN’s summit table. It’s shared with Álava.
What is the elevation of Bilbao?
23 ft (7 m) above sea level, according to Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN).
What is the largest town in Bizkaia province after the capital?
Barakaldo, with 102,986 people. Next is Getxo, with 75,752.
Sources
- Population: our own work with data from the INE website (www.ine.es), municipal register on January 1, 2025 (updated 12/11/2025).
- Area, municipal boundaries, elevations and highest point: Spain’s National Geographic Institute, IGN (CC BY 4.0 ign.es). Simplified boundaries.
- Position of peaks with a page: OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Reviewed October 31, 2026 · Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know