Bilbao
temperatur
19°
tid
06:10
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao only opened in 1997, but it has since become one of the most revered and celebrated buildings in the world. The museum's collection focuses primarily on 20th-century American and European art. Just like the popular saying, it's not just the outside that counts, but it's pretty important for this museum. Architect Frank Gehry designed the building with the vision of ''letting the randomness of the curves catch the light". After the opening of the museum, the building was said to be one of the masterpieces of the 20th century.
The Museo de Bellas Artes has an exceptional collection of traditional works by well-known masters, such as El Greco, Goya, Gauguin, Francis Bacon, Picasso, and Velazquez. The era of the collection begins in the Middle Ages all the way to the contemporary art of today. The museum has been around since 1908 and started as one of the first Fine Art museums in the world. The popularity of the museum caused the extension of the building with another part in which the rest of the art could be displayed.
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.
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.
Located in the centre of the Old Town are the impressive halls of Mercado de la Ribera. Dating back to the 1930s, this building is a meeting point for food lovers. The area is buzzing during the mornings, and you can get nearly any local product you can think of. It was distinguished by the Guinness Book of Records in 1990 as being the largest food market in all of Europe. It may not be the largest in Europe anymore, but it's still an extremely impressive building.
This is an upmarket shopping mall where you will find exclusive designers such as Tommy Hilfiger, Massimo Dutti, and Antonio Miró. There are currently more than 50 shops, a cinema, a supermarket, and restaurants. Zubiarte is located near the Guggenheim and the Iberdrola Tower, which is right in the city centre. Here you can shop for everything from clothing to accessories, electronics and interior design items.
La Casa del Libro is a bookshop with an extensive range of books and maps, including English language books. The shop has been celebrated for providing books that are otherwise difficult to obtain, and because of the enormous variety of genres they have in stock. So, if you are in need of a book which explains the gardening techniques of the 15th century during the Tudor period, look no further.
Many visitors like to return from Bilbao with a chic beret, which locals call txapelas. The txapelas look a bit like a mix of a fedora and a cowboy hat. But it's probably best to check it out yourself! Sombreros Gorostiaga is a family-owned business est. 1857, which makes it one of the oldest businesses of Bilbao, and has an extensive selection. The shop is so popular and known for its quality that even TV shows and film directors have requested hats from the shop.
You are guaranteed to find what you’re looking for at this Spanish institution, as it's the biggest department store group in Europe. From luxury to everyday items, El Corte Inglés is likely to have it. A couple of the many designers that display their collections at El Corte Inglés are Calvin Klein, Dior, and Ralph Lauren.
Framed by modernist buildings and lime trees, the main street and the adjoining streets of the El Ensanche neighbourhood hold a great variety of classy boutiques. There are three main areas of this neighbourhood: the lower area surrounding Plaza Circular, the mid-zone between Plaza Circular and Plaza Moyúa, and the upper zone between Plaza Moyúa and Plaza del Sagrado Corazón.
In the vibrant neighbourhood of Plaza Nueva, you’ll find everything from souvenir shops or traditional Basque stores to high-class shopping plazas. Stroll through the Old Town, or Casco Viejo, and take in impressive buildings while you buy yourself something nice. The cherry on top of your shopping tour might be a pintxo and a hot or cold drink in one of the many small cafés around.
While the Old Town is a magnet for tourists, on the weekend, you have yet another reason to come to Plaza Nueva. Sundays, the area turns into a lively marketplace where numerous vendors offer almost everything. Browse through books, get some organic fruit and maybe take home a txistorras, one of the local sausage specialities. Lovers of street music and local handcraft are advised to come early as there are always some performers and artists around.
Located in the centre of the Old Town are the impressive halls of Mercado de la Ribera. Dating back to the 1930s, this building is a meeting point for food lovers. The area is buzzing during the mornings, and you can get nearly any local product you can think of. It was distinguished by the Guinness Book of Records in 1990 as being the largest food market in all of Europe. It may not be the largest in Europe anymore, but it's still an extremely impressive building.
This is an upmarket shopping mall where you will find exclusive designers such as Tommy Hilfiger, Massimo Dutti, and Antonio Miró. There are currently more than 50 shops, a cinema, a supermarket, and restaurants. Zubiarte is located near the Guggenheim and the Iberdrola Tower, which is right in the city centre. Here you can shop for everything from clothing to accessories, electronics and interior design items.
Spain can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Bilbao Airport (BIO) is located 6 miles (9,6 kilometres) northwest of the city. BizkaiBus A3247 departs outside the main terminal to Plaza Moyua and Gran Vía (central Bilbao) every 30 minutes from 6:15am–midnight. The journey takes around 30 minutes. Taxis from the airport to and from the centre of town can be hired easily.
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.
Bus Bilbobus covers all the districts in the city. Each line has its own timetable, but the service starts between 6 am and 7 am. The last service departs between 10 pm and 11 pm. The buses leave every 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the lines. Tram The tram is an efficient means of transport in Bilbao. The company Euskotren offers services between 16 stations from Bolueta to La Casilla, passing through Guggenheim. Metro Bilbao has an excellent underground train network. The city's reputation for cutting-edge design even extends to its means of transport. The sleek entrances to Bilbao's metro stations were designed by acclaimed architect Norman Foster.
Radio Taxi Bilbao +34 944 44 88 88 www.taxibilbao.com Radio Taxi Nervión +34 944 26 90 26 https://radiotaxinervion.com
The Main Post Office is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 8:30pm. There is also a post office at Paseo de Arenal.
Pharmacies can be identified by the lit-up green crosses outside of them. A pharmacy on each side of the river: Farmacia Ortopedia Garmendia Purroy Fika Kalea, 65, Bilbao +34 944 33 10 38 Daily 9am–10pm Farmacia Indautxu Alda Urquijo, 60, Bilbao +34 944 41 14 47 Daily 9am–10pm
Country code: +34 Area code for landlines: 94
Spain can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Bilbao Airport (BIO) is located 6 miles (9,6 kilometres) northwest of the city. BizkaiBus A3247 departs outside the main terminal to Plaza Moyua and Gran Vía (central Bilbao) every 30 minutes from 6:15am–midnight. The journey takes around 30 minutes. Taxis from the airport to and from the centre of town can be hired easily.
