Turista maitea

Bilbao's old town, also known as Zazpi Kaleak (or Seven Streets), is the oldest part of the city. It was originally made up of these seven streets: Somera, Artekale, Tendería, Belostikale, Carnicería Vieja, Barrenkale and Barrena. 

Strolling around them is like travelling back in time, with historic buildings, traditional shops and a unique atmosphere to make you feel the very essence of Bilbao.

This is an obligatory stop if you're passing through the old town. It is a fountain built in 1800 with spouts in the form of three lions. So if they're lions, why is it called the dog fountain?

A lot of people ask this, but there is no official answer. However, there are two theories: the first says that the people of Bilbao didn't know what a lion was, but as it was the symbol of the city this is rather unlikely... The second concerns a resident who carved a lion on the front of his house but it came out so badly that his neighbours thought it was a dog. An anecdote that gave both the street and the fountain their name.

Beside the estuary and right in the old town is La Ribera market, one of Bilbao's landmark buildings. It has a long history going back to the 14th century, when the baserritarrak (or farmers) came to town with their produce. 

As well as its long history, the market holds the Guinness record as the biggest municipal food market in Europe. In it you can find typical local Basque produce, more than 50 stalls and sometimes special concerts staged in the building.

The old town has witnessed the passing of time and at different points tunnels and cellars were built to connect streets, premises and even the church of San Antón. 

Some of the cellars were used for contraband and were connected by tunnels. Many others connected the old shelters that protected residents during the air raids in the Spanish Civil War. These tunnels cannot be visited, but Bilbao city council offers virtual visits to see inside the air raid shelters.

The corner of Calle Pelota and Calle Santa María is one of the landmarks of Bilbao's old town. Among its narrow streets, this is the only point from which the Basilica of Begoña can be seen. 

Also in honour of Our Lady, on the wall here is a sculpture of the virgin Mary (popularly known as Amatxu Begoña) with a collecting tin in her hands. Tkikiteros put what's left after paying for a round in this tin. 

A txikito is a small glass for wine. People who go from bar to bar ordering these glasses of wine are commonly called txikiteros. 

This was one of the city's main cemeteries until it was replaced by that of Vistalegre.

Going up the steps from the Plaza Unamuno, you'll come to an old gateway that leads to the former cemetery, now a park. From here you can see one of the finest views of Bilbao.