Vibrant Bilbao

Bilbao, the colorful capital of the Basque Country, is one of Spain's best-kept secrets. This northern city shouldn't remain unknown to you any longer as we introduce Bilbao today with all its facets.

In Bilbao, modern art and architecture meet narrow colorful alleys and beautiful squares that invite you to linger. One thing is for sure: The hustle and bustle you know from larger Spanish cities like Barcelona or Madrid can be left behind in Bilbao. Read on to discover what makes this city so lovable.

In Bilbao, modern art and architecture meet narrow colorful alleys and beautiful squares that invite you to linger. One thing is for sure: The hustle and bustle you know from larger Spanish cities like Barcelona or Madrid can be left behind in Bilbao. Read on to discover what makes this city so lovable.

In Bilbao, modern art and architecture meet narrow colorful alleys and beautiful squares that invite you to linger. One thing is for sure: The hustle and bustle you know from larger Spanish cities like Barcelona or Madrid can be left behind in Bilbao. Read on to discover what makes this city so lovable.

One of the most famous sights in Bilbao is undoubtedly the Guggenheim Museum.

This modern art museum is visually striking, with its oval shape and shiny façade being quite unusual. Materials such as glass, limestone, and titanium were used in the construction of the Guggenheim Museum.

The architects of this building even received an award for their extraordinary creation. The art exhibition itself begins in the museum's plaza: sculptures like the colorful puppy or the surreal spider stand at the entrance and offer a taste of what awaits you inside. Alongside contemporary art, you will also find works by the famous painter and graphic artist Albrecht Dürer.

After visiting the Guggenheim Museum, you should head to Plaza Nueva for a little break at one of the vibrant centers of public life in Bilbao. Accordingly, you will find many restaurants and cafés there where you can enjoy your lunch with a view of the old government building.

If you visit Bilbao on a weekend, you can stroll through the market that takes place every Sunday here. You are sure to find some lovely souvenirs. In the summer months, many concerts and events also take place at Plaza Nueva, so you can be sure there is always something going on.

Surrounding Plaza Nueva is the beautiful old town of Bilbao, known for its small alleys and colorful houses. Casco Viejo, as the old town is called, invites you to leisurely stroll and enjoy. Take a look around, and you are sure to find a bar where you can later dive into the nightlife of Bilbao.

A few streets away from the old town, you will find the La Ribera Market, where you can indulge in various Spanish and Basque specialties. In the glass market hall, alongside fruit, vegetable, fish, and meat vendors, there are also numerous restaurants where you can eat for little money. Since locals shop here, you are sure to get some insider tips, as you know the recommendations of locals are worth their weight in gold. Locals would also surely recommend you visit the nearby Cathedral of Santiago. The impressive cathedral of Bilbao holds the honorary title 'Basilica minor' and is one of the most significant church buildings in Spain. The Arriaga Theatre, located just a short walk from Plaza Nueva along the banks of the Ria de Bilbao, is also a must-see. Its full beauty is revealed especially in the evening. The building, reminiscent of the Paris Opera, was constructed in 1890 and remains the center of art and culture in Bilbao today.

On hot days, you should retreat to Dona Casilda Park and admire its many fountains and colorful flower beds. The green lung of Bilbao resembles an English garden, inviting you to stroll with its shady trees and lush green lawns.

From Dona Casilda Park, you can easily reach the next sight in Bilbao on foot, as the Museum of Fine Arts is located nearby. In Bilbao, you will encounter art and culture at every turn - the city has perfectly managed the transformation from an industrial to a cultural hub, making it interesting for tourists from all over the world. At the end of your sightseeing tour around Bilbao, you should definitely take a stroll across the pedestrian bridge Zubizuri, which connects the neighborhoods of Campo Volantin and Uribitarte.

Some of you might primarily associate Bilbao with the Spanish first division club Athletic Bilbao. Naturally, we want to show you the sporting side of this Basque city as well. The club is impressive not just for the fact that it has never been relegated and has won the Spanish championship eight times but especially because Athletic Bilbao only features players of Basque origin, and these players have great loyalty to the club. A virtue rare in professional sports today. So if you want to attend a match of the Basque football club at Estadio San Mames, you can expect a game played with passion. A worthy conclusion for a successful city tour of Bilbao.

Bilbao is one of the true underdogs among Spanish cities. For now! We are sure that the influx of visitors from all over the world will not wait long with such a diverse cultural program. A trip to Bilbao is different from a holiday in Barcelona or Madrid, whether due to the Basque history or its past as an industrial city. A city you absolutely should visit!

Feeling like visiting Bilbao?

Feeling like visiting Bilbao?