Bilbao

A city of architecture reborn from an industrial port, with the Guggenheim Museum, pintxos in the Seven Streets old town, and the UNESCO-listed Vizcaya Bridge. Day trips reach Gaztelugatxe and the Urdaibai coast.

Bilbao (Bilbo in Basque) is the largest city in Spain's Basque Autonomous Community and the capital of the province of Biscay, with the Nervión estuary (Ría de Bilbao) running through the city to the sea. A former steel and shipbuilding port, it was transformed after the Guggenheim Museum opened in 1997, and the "Bilbao effect" has become shorthand for urban regeneration. The city falls into three parts. On the right bank, the old town of the "Seven Streets" (Casco Viejo) holds Santiago Cathedral, Plaza Nueva, the Ribera Market and the pintxos bars. On the left bank, the 19th-century extension (Ensanche) has the Gran Vía, the Fine Arts Museum and the Azkuna Zentroa cultural centre. Downstream, the Abandoibarra waterfront links the Guggenheim, the Zubizuri bridge, the Euskalduna Palace and the Maritime Museum. Classic day trips from the city: follow the river to Getxo to see the UNESCO-listed Vizcaya Bridge and the old port of Algorta; head north along the Basque coast to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the fishing port of Bermeo and Bakio beach; or go east to Gernika and the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve (Mundaka surf, the painted Oma Forest and the Santimamiñe cave). The climate is mild and oceanic, with rain throughout the year, and May–Oct is the most pleasant time. Aste Nagusia ("Big Week") is held in late August. Bilbao airport has flights from across Europe, and the metro, tram and Bizkaibus buses cover the surrounding area. For Gaztelugatxe, book your free entry slot in advance on the official website. We recommend 2–3 days, and the city pairs well with San Sebastián (about 1 hour away by car).

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Itineraries