bilbao

Hello, bilbao

One of the jewels of northern Spain, Bilbao is a city full of surprises and delights. It boasts a unique blend of tradition and modernity, which is reflected in its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and outstanding cuisine. At its heart lies the magnificent Guggenheim Museum, one of the most impressive structures in the world. Its streets are alive with the sound of Euskara, Europe's oldest and most enigmatic language while the Casco Viejo (Old Town) is full of traditional bars for sampling pintxos.

Best things to do in bilbao

Plenty of things to do and see

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Climbing Pagasarri & Ganekogorta

Take a sneak peek at a day in the life of a local by going on one of the most typical and easily accessible hiking routes in the region. Reaching some 673 metres (2,208 feet) in height, Pagasarri is one of the smaller mountains that surround Bilbao and most locals will have tried this hike at least once before. There are buses from the city centre, with a few different routes starting from the area of Zabalburu or from Peñascal, on the outskirts of the city. At the top of the mountain, there is even a bar selling 'bokatas', the typical no-nonsense baguette rolls filled with your local delicacy of choice, from tortilla de patata to txistorra or chorizo. If you've reached the summit of Pagasarri, you're already halfway to Ganekogorta, a summit at 998 metres (3,274 feet) which is a little further away.

Day Trip to Donostia — San Sebastián

This is a city set between two hills around the beautiful bay of La Concha. San Sebastian, or Donosti as it is known by the locals, makes for an unforgettable day trip, where you can take in the glorious Belle Epoque balustrades and visit world-famous restaurants. There are four areas that you should visit. The first one is Parte Vieja, the Old Town, where you can find the popular pintxo bars and eat til you drop. South of Parte Vieja, you'll find the shopping district and heading towards the coast you will come across three beaches: Zurriola, the preferred spot for local surfers, La Concha, and Ondarreta, where the posh neighbourhood is.

Basilica of Begoña

You will find the Basilica of Begoña at Calle Virgen de Begoña on the top of a hill. The church construction started in 1511 and it is widely held that the Virgin Mary appeared at that exact spot. You can see that the church is still important to the sailors of Bilbao. There are still ships which are named after the church, Virgen de Begoña or just Begoña–the patron saint of Biscay. Experience history first-hand when you walk through the doors of this basilica.

Basque Archaeological, Ethnographic & Historical Museum

The Museo Arqueológico, Etnográfico e Histórico Vasco, or simply The Basque Museum, is a cosy little museum in Plaza Unamuno, at the heart of the Old Town. This is a great place to visit on a rainy day before or after an aperitif of pintxos and drinks in the nearby bars of Casco Viejo. Learn about the ins and outs of Basque history, culture, and language in this three-storey museum and let yourself in for a journey from the Paleolithic to the present day. Most of the signs are in Basque and Spanish, although rooms have leaflets in English with translations of some of the signage.

Best things to do in bilbao

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