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.

To Do & To See

Plenty of things to do and see

river in Bilbao

A Walk Along the River

From the ultra-modern Conference Centre and Concert Hall Palacio Euskalduna Jauregia, walk east along the riverbank, which is filled with beautiful sculptures and some very impressive modern architecture. You will pass the Guggenheim Museum and Santiago Calatrava’s stunning Zubi Zuri Footbridge, which spans the Nervión river between the Guggenheim and the Ayuntamiento.

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Euskal Museoa, Unamuno enparantzan

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.

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views of Algorta

Old Port — Algortako Portu Zaharra

Effectively a tiny fishing village in the midst of a city, the Old Port of Algorta in Getxo is made up of a handful of houses by the shore. It is one of the main attractions in the area, only 20 minutes away from the centre of Bilbao by metro. The Old Port makes for a very pretty and charming setting on a summer's day. A stone's throw away from the beach, the charming white houses follow a downward path to the water. Come sunset, the locals gather outside in the gentle summer breeze to enjoy a beer or two, along with a plate of green olives or crispy fried calamari from the nearby bars.

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Man enjoying the landscape, Basque country

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.

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The caserio of Chillida Leku, the sculpture gardens of Eduardo Chillida.

Chillida-Leku

Located in the city of Hernani, at a one-hour distance from Bilbao, Chillida-Leku is an open-air museum exposing the works of Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida. More than 40 of his pieces are now on display across 27 acres of land, even material that was previously not available to the public. Plus, a restored farmhouse and an organic café.

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Gaztelugatxe, Spain

Gaztelugatxe (Bermeo)

Gaztelugatxe has become famous as a filming location for the TV series "Game of Thrones", where it is depicted as the castle of Dragonstone. The rough coast has shaped rocks, tunnels, and caves which now form fascinating scenery. On top of a rock, there is a small church, dating back to the 10th century, which can be reached via a narrow path. Gaztelugatxe belongs to the municipality of Bermeo and is only a 45-minute drive away from Bilbao.

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