City
Bilbao
Bilbao
The Basque Country's biggest city, transformed by the Guggenheim from an industrial port into one of Spain's leading spots for art, design and food.
Bilbao is the largest city in Spain's Basque Country, in the green north of the country. Once a hard-working industrial port, it reinvented itself around the Guggenheim Museum, whose shining titanium curves drew the world's attention and sparked a wider revival. Today it pairs that bold modern architecture with a handsome old town, a riverside reborn for walking, and some of the best food in Spain. Proud, distinctive and well-kept, Bilbao is the gateway to the Basque region.
What Bilbao is known for
Bilbao is known above all for the Guggenheim Museum. When it opened in 1999, the gleaming, curving building by architect Frank Gehry turned a fading industrial city into a global destination almost overnight, a change so striking that planners now talk about the Bilbao effect. The museum, and the modern art inside it, remain the city's main draw. But there is far more to Bilbao than one building. The old town, the Casco Viejo, is a tight grid of lanes, pintxo bars and the busy Ribera market, while the river that once carried industry is now lined with walking paths, bridges and public art. The whole city has a strong Basque identity, with its own language and traditions. Bilbao is also a serious food city, the gateway to a region with more Michelin stars than almost anywhere, though its own scene is more about local pintxo bars than fuss. Add green hills, nearby beaches and an easy size, and Bilbao makes a fine base for the Basque Country.
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Experiences and things to do in Bilbao
The Guggenheim is the obvious start, as much for Frank Gehry's building as the art inside, with Jeff Koons's flower-covered Puppy out front. Afterwards, walk the river paths past the bridges and sculptures into the Casco Viejo, the old town, for its lanes and the Ribera market. Food lovers should hop between pintxo bars in the Plaza Nueva, trying local bites like the gilda skewer. For a view, ride the funicular up Mount Artxanda. The city is also a great base for day trips along the Basque coast. Whichever way you want to play, Bilbao has it.
Where to stay in Bilbao
Where you base yourself shapes the trip. The Casco Viejo, the old town, is best for atmosphere, pintxo bars and history. Abando, across the river, is modern and central, close to the Guggenheim and handy for transport. Indautxu and the Ensanche are smart, leafy areas with good restaurants, a comfortable and quieter base within easy walking distance of the sights.
Food and drink in Bilbao
Bilbao is all about pintxos, the Basque take on tapas, small bites served on bread and eaten standing, bar to bar. Look for the gilda, a skewer of anchovy, olive and pepper, and bacalao al pil pil, salt cod in a garlic sauce. Wash it down with txakoli, the local slightly fizzy white wine, and finish with Basque cheesecake.
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Best time to visit Bilbao
Bilbao sits in Spain's green, wetter north, so it is milder and rainier than the south. The best times to visit are late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September), with warm, pleasant weather and fewer showers. Summer is comfortable rather than scorching and is the liveliest season. Winters are cool and damp. Pack a light rain jacket whenever you come.
Getting to Bilbao and around
Bilbao Airport (BIO) is a short drive north of the city, with flights from across Europe and a bus into the centre in around 20 minutes. Train and bus links connect Bilbao to the rest of Spain, though it sits off the main high-speed lines. Once there, the city has a clean, modern metro and is very walkable.
Nearest Airport to Bilbao
Nearest Sea Port to Bilbao
Travel tips for visiting Bilbao
Book Guggenheim tickets online ahead and note it usually closes on Mondays outside peak season. Eat pintxos by hopping between bars in the Casco Viejo and Plaza Nueva, one or two at each. Use the modern metro and the riverside tram, then explore the centre on foot. Pack a light rain jacket, as the green north sees more showers than southern Spain. Ride the Artxanda funicular for the best view over the city. Use Bilbao as a base for day trips along the Basque coast and to San Sebastian.
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