Bilbao
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10:53
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.Hitta resa
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a landmark of contemporary architecture and a cultural beacon for the city. Designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, the museum's fluid, sculptural form has been hailed as one of the most significant architectural achievements of the 20th century. Its titanium-clad curves and organic shapes have transformed the Bilbao skyline and are often likened to a ship or flower. Beyond its jaw-dropping exterior, the museum houses a world-class collection of modern and contemporary art, focusing on postwar American and European artists. Notable works include pieces by Mark Rothko, Jeff Koons, and Louise Bourgeois, among others.
Zubizuri, meaning 'white bridge' in Basque, is a steel-and-glass footbridge over the Nervión River, designed by Santiago Calatrava and opened in 1997. It links Campo Volantín on one side to Uribitarte on the other. The deck was originally made of translucent glass bricks, but they became dangerously slippery when wet, so now there’s a non-slip covering over much of the walking surface. From the middle of the bridge, you get a good view of the river and the Guggenheim, especially at sunrise or when the lights come on at night.
Plaza Nueva is Bilbao’s oldest surviving square, built in 1849. Pop by for some coffee, watch locals and visitors pass by, or try some of the city’s top pintxos. Café Bar Bilbao is one of the most famous here, known for its squid pintxo and the ham-and-onion version, which are local favourites.
Take a stroll along the Nervión River starting at Palacio Euskalduna Jauregia, Bilbao’s modern conference and concert centre. The riverside path is lined with sculptures and impressive contemporary buildings. You’ll pass the Guggenheim Museum and cross the Zubizuri Footbridge, which connects the museum with the Ayuntamiento. It’s an easy, scenic walk that blends art, architecture, and city life in one route.
Donostia sits between hills around La Concha Bay, with Belle Époque architecture, famous restaurants, and a seaside vibe that makes it a killer day out. The Old Town (Parte Vieja) is your pintxo ground zero with narrow streets, tiny bars, and lots to try. East of there is the Gros neighbourhood with Zurriola Beach: waves, surf shops, and a youthful crowd. Across the bay are the more sheltered beaches La Concha and Ondarreta; Ondarreta borders the Antiguo neighbourhood, which feels quieter, leafier, with classic mansions, gardens, and a calm place to stroll.
Built from the late 14th to the 15th centuries, the Santiago Cathedral is the city’s oldest major church, dedicated to Saint James (Santiago), Bilbao's patron saint. The building features a mix of different styles: its core is Gothic (nave, vault, cloister), a grand Renaissance portico was added in the 1500s, while much of the façade and tower with spire were rebuilt in a neo-Gothic style in the late 1800s by Severino de Achúcarro. Inside, you’ll see three naves, several side chapels, the Gothic cloister accessible via the Door of the Angel ('Puerta del Ángel'), and beyond the main altar, there’s an ambulatory with chapels. Floods in 1983 caused damage, but the cathedral was restored and reopened around 2000.
Artxanda is Bilbao’s hilltop viewpoint, offering wide panoramic views of the city, the Nervión River, and the surrounding mountains. It’s a nice escape from the streets below, with paths to wander and spots to sit and take it all in. You can reach the top via a small funicular railway from the Iralabarri district.
Algorta’s Old Port is a small fishing quarter in Getxo, just 20 minutes from central Bilbao by metro. Whitewashed houses line the narrow streets down to the water. On summer evenings, locals gather outside bars for a beer or cider, often with green olives or fried calamari.
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a landmark of contemporary architecture and a cultural beacon for the city. Designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, the museum's fluid, sculptural form has been hailed as one of the most significant architectural achievements of the 20th century. Its titanium-clad curves and organic shapes have transformed the Bilbao skyline and are often likened to a ship or flower. Beyond its jaw-dropping exterior, the museum houses a world-class collection of modern and contemporary art, focusing on postwar American and European artists. Notable works include pieces by Mark Rothko, Jeff Koons, and Louise Bourgeois, among others.
Zubizuri, meaning 'white bridge' in Basque, is a steel-and-glass footbridge over the Nervión River, designed by Santiago Calatrava and opened in 1997. It links Campo Volantín on one side to Uribitarte on the other. The deck was originally made of translucent glass bricks, but they became dangerously slippery when wet, so now there’s a non-slip covering over much of the walking surface. From the middle of the bridge, you get a good view of the river and the Guggenheim, especially at sunrise or when the lights come on at night.
In the heart of Bilbao’s Old Town, Mercado de la Ribera has been a focal point for locals since the 1930s. Once recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as Europe’s largest indoor food market, it remains one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Inside its vast Art Deco halls, you’ll find a dazzling array of offerings, from fresh fish and seasonal produce to cured meats, cheeses, and bread, making it a great place to explore Basque gastronomy. Alongside the stalls, you’ll also find small bars and eateries serving pintxos and local wines.
Gran Vía is Bilbao’s main shopping artery, a wide boulevard framed by lime trees and elegant modernist buildings. Together with neighbouring streets like Marqués del Puerto and Rodríguez Arias, it forms part of the city’s so-called 'Golden Mile', home to international luxury brands, Spanish fashion labels, and high-end boutiques. The stretch between Plaza Circular and Plaza Moyúa is particularly lively, with department stores, flagship shops, and stylish cafés where you can pause mid-shopping.
Bilbao’s Casco Viejo, the Old Town, is the place to go if you enjoy browsing independent shops and traditional Basque stores. The narrow streets are lined with boutiques selling crafts, jewellery, fashion, and gourmet products, along with plenty of souvenir shops. Plaza Nueva, at the heart of the district, is especially lively, home to antique markets on Sundays as well as bars where you can round off your shopping trip with pintxos and a glass of txakoli.
Indautxu is one of Bilbao’s more fashion-forward neighborhoods, featuring a mix of specialty shops, trendy boutiques, and international brand stores. Streets like Rodríguez Arias and Alameda de Urquijo are key spots for fashion enthusiasts, and the area around Plaza Indautxu has numerous footwear shops, accessories, and stores selling design-led goods. Ercilla Street is another hub, especially for opticians, shoe shops, jewellery, and fashion.
The area surrounding the Guggenheim Museum is one of Bilbao’s most stylish shopping districts, with nearby streets such as Mazarredo, Iparraguirre, and Juan de Ajuriaguerra lined with fashion boutiques, design stores, galleries, and art bookshops. Alongside clothing and accessories, you’ll also find gift shops, delicatessens, and wine stores that make for excellent souvenirs.
Sombreros Gorostiaga is a family-owned hat shop in Bilbao, established in 1857, making it one of the city’s oldest businesses. It specialises in traditional Basque berets, or txapelas, and stocks a wide range of colours, sizes, and styles. Many visitors can’t resist picking up a chic txapela as a memorable keepsake from their trip.
Established in 1855, Turronería Iváñez is one of Bilbao’s oldest family-run businesses, renowned for its artisanal nougat, or turrón. The shop offers a wide selection of handmade turrones, including classic varieties like Jijona and Alicante, as well as chocolate turrones, marzipan sweets, and seasonal specialties such as tortas imperiales and pasteles de gloria. Their ice creams, made with traditional turrón flavors, are especially popular during the summer months.
Zubiarte is an upmarket shopping mall in central Bilbao, near the Guggenheim Museum and the Iberdrola Tower. With more than 50 shops, a cinema, a supermarket, and a variety of restaurants, it’s a convenient one-stop destination for shopping and leisure. Visitors can browse designer stores along with a mix of clothing, accessories, electronics, and homeware.
In the heart of Bilbao’s Old Town, Mercado de la Ribera has been a focal point for locals since the 1930s. Once recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as Europe’s largest indoor food market, it remains one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Inside its vast Art Deco halls, you’ll find a dazzling array of offerings, from fresh fish and seasonal produce to cured meats, cheeses, and bread, making it a great place to explore Basque gastronomy. Alongside the stalls, you’ll also find small bars and eateries serving pintxos and local wines.
Gran Vía is Bilbao’s main shopping artery, a wide boulevard framed by lime trees and elegant modernist buildings. Together with neighbouring streets like Marqués del Puerto and Rodríguez Arias, it forms part of the city’s so-called 'Golden Mile', home to international luxury brands, Spanish fashion labels, and high-end boutiques. The stretch between Plaza Circular and Plaza Moyúa is particularly lively, with department stores, flagship shops, and stylish cafés where you can pause mid-shopping.
Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Spain, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African, or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.
Bilbao Airport (BIO) is located approximately 12 km north of Bilbao city centre, with a journey time of around 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. The Bizkaibus A3247 is the primary public transport option connecting the airport to the city. This bus line operates daily, with departures from the airport every 15 minutes during summer and every 20 minutes during winter. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also available outside the arrivals hall.
The Basque Country can get chilly and rainy during the winter, so the best time for visiting Bilbao is during the summer months. To avoid the bulk of tourist masses, plan your trip for late April / May or from September to early October, when temperatures are still pleasant and outdoor activities can still be enjoyed.
Public transport in Bilbao is reliable, well-integrated, and a great option for visitors. The city is served by Metro Bilbao, the Bilbao tram (Bilbao Tranvía), Bilbobus (city buses), Bizkaibus (regional buses), and commuter rail lines operated by Euskotren and Renfe. The metro is especially handy for travellers, linking central stops like Casco Viejo, Moyua, and San Mamés with neighbourhoods, suburbs, and even coastal towns such as Plentzia. The tram runs through the city centre, connecting the Guggenheim Museum, Abando station, and the Old Town, while buses fill in the gaps with extensive coverage across Bilbao and the surrounding area. For visitors, the Barik card is a convenient rechargeable smartcard valid on most forms of transport in Bizkaia. An alternative is the Bilbao Bizkaia Card, a tourist pass available for 24, 48, or 72 hours that includes unlimited public transport plus discounts and fast-track entry at several attractions.
Taxis in Bilbao are easy to find and can be hailed on the street or picked up at taxi ranks across the city. They are white with a red stripe on the doors. In addition to traditional taxis, ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Cabify operate in the city, providing a convenient alternative for getting around.
In Bilbao, post offices (Correos or Posta) generally open from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm, Monday to Friday, with some branches reopening in the afternoon and a few opening on Saturday mornings. The main post office is on Urkixo Zumarkalea 19, a central spot that’s easy to reach and offers longer hours, usually until 8:30 pm on weekdays. Post offices provide standard services such as sending letters and parcels within Spain and abroad, purchasing stamps, and using express delivery services like Correos Exprés. They also sell packaging materials and prepaid envelopes, handle money orders, and offer bill payments. For quick posting, you can drop letters in the yellow mailboxes you’ll see around the city.
In Bilbao, most pharmacies are independent rather than part of large chains. Two reliable options are Farmacia Garmendia Purroy at Fika Kalea 65 and Farmacia Ruiz Sarasola at Santo Rosario 1. Both offer a full range of pharmaceutical services and are easily identifiable by the green cross outside.
Country code: +34 Area code for landlines: 94
Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Spain, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African, or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.
Bilbao Airport (BIO) is located approximately 12 km north of Bilbao city centre, with a journey time of around 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. The Bizkaibus A3247 is the primary public transport option connecting the airport to the city. This bus line operates daily, with departures from the airport every 15 minutes during summer and every 20 minutes during winter. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also available outside the arrivals hall.
