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A cable car, built at the start of the twentieth century, remains the easiest way to access the top of the hill. Once at the top, the first thing to do is enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city ...
- Guggenheim Museum. While the Guggenheim Museum holds a prestigious collection, the building itself is a spectacular work of art. This groundbreaking example of 20th-century architecture was designed by famous architect Frank Gehry.
- Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao. The Bilbao Fine Arts Museum is renowned for its collection of European paintings. The museum presents a wide selection of artworks, including many masterpieces, dating from the 14th to 19th centuries.
- Explore Casco Viejo (Old Town) The atmospheric Casco Viejo extends along the right bank of the river between the San Antón Bridge and the Church of San Nicolás.
- Bridges of Bilbao. For breathtaking views of Bilbao, head to La Salve Bridge, which crosses the estuary next to the Guggenheim Museum. The bridge features "Arcos Rojos" ("Red Arches") designed by French artist Daniel Buren in honor of the Guggenheim's 10 anniversary.
- The Basque Language
- Map of Best Things to Do in Bilbao
- Cross The Puente de Vizcaya
- Marvel at The Guggenheim Museum
- Wander Around Casco Viejo
- Take A Peek Inside Teatro Arriaga
- Eat Your Weight in Pintxos
- Head Inside Catedral de Santiago
- Plaza Nueva
- Take The Funicular Up Mount Artxanda
You might be in Spain, but this is Basque Country. Both Spanish and Basque are co-official languages spoken here so it’s worth brushing up on both your Spanish and Basque before you travel. Linguistically speaking, the Basque language is totally unrelated to any other languages found in Europe and is a language isolate from any other known living l...
Want to know where each place is? Take a look at this detailed map of Bilbao below. Click on this interactive map and see where this itinerary will take you. I’ve created this map using Google Maps which you can save and use as you travel around. You’re welcome 😉
Also known as the ‘Hanging Bridge” the Vizcaya Bridge (Puente de Vizcaya) has been a World Heritage Site since 2006 and was the first industrial heritage site in Spain. Built in 1983, the conveyor bridge transports vehicle and pedestrians from either side of this long narrow inlet. After 125 years, it still carries cars, motorcycles, bikes, and pas...
The most iconic building in Bilbao is without a doubt the Guggenheim Museum. It was intentionally built to put Bilbao on the world map and to breathe fresh life into this once run-down and highly polluted part of the city. It’s fair to say it’s definitely accomplished its goal. Its titanium exterior and huge windows are just as much a masterpiece a...
My favourite part of visiting any European city is wandering around its historical centre and Bilbao is no different. Casco Viejo is the medieval old quarter of Bilbao located on the right bank of the Nervión river. This area was once defended by city walls until the walls were removed in the late-1800s exposing its original seven streets. In fact,...
Overlooking the Nervión River is the beautiful 19th-century Neo-baroque Arriaga Theatre. Its design was inspired by the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris. The Arriaga Theatre is the oldest theatre in the city and was named after Juan Crisostomo Arriaga, a prodigious composer dubbed the ‘Spanish Mozart’ who died at from tuberculosis at 20 years of...
Do as the Basque do and “txikitear”. Txikitear means going from bar to bar enjoying a small glass of wine (txikitos) in a bar and savour the delicious pintxos(a Basque tapas). This is how the locals socialise and have a good time. The peak times for pintxos is from noon-15:00 and 18:00-20:00. Start your pintxos crawl in Plaza Neuva. Head to Restaur...
Located in Bilbao’s Casco Viejo is Santiago Cathedral. Somewhat confusingly, the cathedral has many names. It’s sometimes referred to as Bilbao Cathedral, Santiago Cathedral, or St. James Cathedral in honour of the apostle Saint James the Great (Santiago in Spanish) after which the temple was consecrated. The cathedral serves as a stop for pilgrims...
At the heart of Bilbao’s Caso Viejo is the monumental square Plaza Nueva (literally, New Square). The Neoclassical square was completed in 1851 and features a stunning arcade running all the way around full of taverns, restaurants, and pintxos bars. Located on the north side is Euskaltzaindia, the Basque language Royal Academy which governs the lan...
For a breathtaking panoramic view overlooking Bilbao, take the funicular up Mount Artxanda. From up here, you can see why the locals affectionately refer to Bilbao as “the botxo”, which literally means “the hole”, since it’s surrounded by mountains. The Funicular de Artxanda opened in 1915 and once you reach the top, you’ll see a part of the origin...
- Guggenheim Museum. Where better to start than this iconic building on the Nervión. Half of your visit will be spent outside in awe of the flowing lines and titanium and glass cladding.
- Fine Arts Museum. This attraction has a more traditional museum setting and is also a heavyweight, seen as one of the finest art galleries in Spain. Particularly notable is the large time-span covered by the collection, with the oldest work dating to the 1100s and the newest from the present day.
- Casco Viejo. The old core of Bilbao on the right bank of the Nervión was originally defended by city walls. These were removed in the late-1800s and now the district is made up of seven pedestrianised streets and two plazas with boutiques, bars and restaurants.
- Plaza Nueva. The nerve centre of the Caso Viejo, Bilbao’s main plaza is a typically Spanish monumental square and a grand place to meet up with friends in the evening.
Read our article on The Best Museums In Bilbao. Natural Beauty – Outdoor Activities. Bilbao is surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes, and offers a range of exciting outdoor activities. One popular destination is the Artxanda Funicular, which has been operating since 1915, providing easy access to the picturesque Mount Artxanda ...
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Jeff Koons work is one that denotes the Guggenheim in Bilbao. 7. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. The Bilbao Fine Arts Museum is an art museum located in the city of Bilbao, Spain. It is the second largest and most visited museum in the Basque Country and one of the richest Spanish museums outside Madrid.
