Discover 10 exciting experiences in Bilbao
Bilbao is the de facto capital of Basque Country. It’s renowned for the Frank Gehry–designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which sparked revitalization when it opened in 1997. The museum houses prominent modern and contemporary works, but it’s the curvy, titanium-clad building that receives the most attention. However, Bilbao offers much more!
1. ARTXANDA FUNICULAR & VIEWPOINT
Mount Artxanda is one of Bilbao’s most emblematic spots that offers superb views. The top can be reached on foot or by bus or funicular.
2. BASQUE MUSEUM
The museum opened to the public in 1921 and is located in a Baroque-style building in Bilbao's old quarter. It offers a look at the ethnography of the Basque people through various exhibits and objects. In addition to the value of the building and its central cloister, the collections it contains include everything from the oldest remnants found in the region of Vizcaya, through to examples of the traditional ways of life of the Basque peoples.
3. CASA VIEJO
Las Siete Calles or Casco Viejo in Spanish or Zazpikaleak or Alde Zaharra in Basque are different names for the medieval neighbourhood of Bilbao, part of the Ibaiondo district. The names mean Seven Streets or Old Town respectively and it used to be the walled part of the town until the end of the 19th century. The area is probably the most colourful part of Bilbao, including many shops and taverns, several historical churches (San Antón, Santos Juanes, the Cathedral, San Nicolás), a large food retail market ( Mercado de la Ribera ), the public Arriaga Theatre, the seat of the Academy of the Basque Language (Euskaltzaindia), a ball court, and a public library.
4. DONA CASILDA PARK & BILBAO FINE ARTS MUSEUM
Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park is a public park located in the central neighbourhood of Indautxu. It is named after Casilda Iturrizar (1818 – 1900), who donated the land and was a prominent philanthropist in the city. Until a few years ago, it was the only green space in the city.
The Bilbao Fine Arts Museum is the second largest and most visited museum in the Basque Country, after the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum and one of the richest Spanish museums outside Madrid. It houses a valuable and quite comprehensive collection of Basque, Spanish and European art from the Middle Ages to contemporary.
5. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a world-famous museum of modern and contemporary art designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. The museum was inaugurated on 18 October 1997 by King Juan Carlos I of Spain, with an exhibition of 250 contemporary works of art.
6. LA RIBERA MARKET
The Mercado de la Ribera (Ribera Market) is a market square on the right bank of the Nervion River, next to Casco Viejo. Its built area of 10,000 square metres (110,000 sq ft) makes it the biggest covered market in Europe. There are stalls that sell different products: mostly fresh produce, fish and meat. A part of the market is also designated for the local farmers' products.
7. MUNDAKA - 1 hr 20 min by train
Mundaka is a beautiful town accessible from Bilbao by EuskoTren on the E4 Urdaibai line. It is well worth a visit and also internationally renowned for its surfing scene.
8. NERVION RIVER
The River Nervión runs through Bilbao into the Cantabrian Sea (Bay of Biscay). Various boat tours are offered to explore the Nervion.
9. PINXTOS IN EL ENSANCHE
In the late 19th century, Bilbao, restricted to the Old Quarter, had to grow and the fertile meadows of Abando were waiting to become the new centre of Bilbao on the opposite side of the river estuary. The architects Alzola, Achúcarro and Hoffmeyer were able to transform the desire for expansion into something real; they converted a dream into something tangible, they made the Ensanche (expansion area) of Bilbao possible. The bourgeoisie settled in these new streets, where they erected their homes and their businesses. These days it is one of many areas to taste delicious Pinxtos in Bilbao.
10. PLAZA NUEVA
The Plaza Nueva or Plaza Barria (New Square) of Bilbao is a monumental square of Neoclassical style built in 1821. Its name comes from the previously existing Plaza Vieja or Old Square in the place where the Ribera Market was built. The square is enclosed by arcaded buildings and accessed by arches known as cuevas (caves). The main building was the site of the Biscay government, until a new palace was built in 1890. The place is now the site of Euskaltzaindia, the Royal Academy of the Basque Language.
DRINK TXAKOLI
Txakoli or chacolí is slightly sparkling very dry white wine produced in the Spanish Basque Country.
SLEEP @ HOTEL HESPERIA BILBAO
In a perfect setting on the Bilbao estuary, opposite the Guggenheim Museum, you will find the central Hotel Hesperia Bilbao, a mosaic of colours, spaciousness and comfort from where you can reach any part of Bilbao in minutes.
EAT @ PORRUE
Head Chef Unai Campo is in charge of Porrue, specialising in grilled fresh in season products (meat, fish, vegetables…). His secret lies in the selection of the raw materials, in season products bought from the farmers at their farmhouses, and the “arrantzales” (fishermen) even the vegetables, citrus fruits and aromatic plants are grown in his own orchard in Bakio.
PLAY @ FREE SPIRIT BILBAO
Free Spirit Bilbao believe traveling is creating your own story, connections with other people and the environment, new dimensions of understanding and memories that will last forever. Let them help you achieving such an experience in Bilbao
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