What to explore in Bilbao
The city of Bilbao is located in Basque Country, a region in the north of Spain. The city is known for its architecture, its art museums and its pintxos.
The city is located on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, in the northern part of the country. The city can be reached by ferry, train and car, and the city’s airport offers cheap flights to Madrid, Barcelona and other large cities.
Guggenheim Museum.
The Guggenheim Museum is one of the many reasons why visitors choose to spend a city break in this city. The museum has many collections of art and of sculptures, and some of the exhibits are interactive.
The museum is located on the banks of the river and Foster’s designer building has made the museum one of the city’s symbols. Take note of the statue of a dog made from flowers that is located in front of the museum’s shiny, colourful metal structure. The museum’s backyard, on the banks of the river, is decorated with a large sculpture of colourful tulips.
Getxo.
Located a short train ride away from the city center, the district of Getxo is a popular spot for locals who want to spend an afternoon by the sea. The neighbourhood, filled with large mansions and cliffs, has a large beach, and there are several coves nearby.
The city’s palaces.
The city’s historical center is known for its ancient architectural landmarks, including several palaces. The Ibaigane Palace has a hall filled with trophies from the city’s local football club, the Athletic Club Bilbao. The Olábarri Palace is located closer to the coast, an ancient mansion that has been transformed into the headquarters of the Bilbao Port Authority.
The historical city center.
Visitors can spend their afternoons exploring the Old Quarter, the city’s most ancient district. This area is known for its narrow streets and Gothic architecture. The Santiago Cathedral, one of the city’s most famous landmarks, is located in this area. This Gothic cathedral has several chapels decorated with antiques and pieces of art. A short walk away from there, in the Indautxu neighbourhood, visitors will find the Santa y Real Casa de la Misericordia, a neoclassical landmark with large gardens filled with fountains and statues.
The pintxos.
Pintxos are traditional appetizers, similar to tapas, that can be found in most bars in the Basque Country. There are many famous pintxo bars in the city center, and the most authentic pintxos are served in hole-in-the-wall bars. Pintxo appetizers are usually served with each drink ordered. Typical appetizers include bread topped with grilled mushrooms covered in spices, salted cod and bread on a skewer, a skewer with a piece of bread, salted cod and quail egg, and fried croquettes.
