Discover Bilbao
- Bilbao
- Bilbao Shopping Area
- Natural areas in Bilbao
- Heritage in Bilbao
- Where to stay in Bilbao
- Where to eat in Bilbao
TOP BASQUE COUNTRY · 10 reasons to come to Basque Country
Today Bilbao is an internationally-recognised town planning landmark because the strength of its cutting edge is based on respecting and integrating its industrial past.
The icon of the transformation of Bilbao is the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum with its stunning architecture, the work of Frank Gehry, of which you have probably heard already. You have to come and see for yourself how design and architecture impregnate the whole city, starting with the Paseo de Abandoibarra, very close to the museum itself, an undeniably charming area where tourists and locals, joggers and families, mix and meet every day.
Another design classic is the city metro, the work of Norman Foster, and Azkuna Zentroa.
La Ría de Bilbao and the bridges
During your visit to Bilbao you can take as your point of reference La Ría, the estuary, an artery along which ships used to arrive and which today remains a key part of city life. Following its course you’ll come to the Puente Bizkaia, a jewel of industrial architecture and a World heritage Site. Discovering La Ría and its bridges is a journey through the city’s history.
La Ría also takes you to the Casco Viejo, or Old Town of Bilbao, a lively area which is very close to the hearts of Bilbao’s inhabitants. Take a walk around its bustling “seven streets” and before you know it you’ll be trying pintxos and wine or “txikiteando”.
Visiting Bilbao without having to carry coins in your pocket is as easy as getting a Barik card that will make easier for you to get to the most tourist areas of the city, or a Bilbao Bizkaia Card that also gives you access to a wide range of discounts. You can buy them at the Tourist Offices or book your card on-line.
Less than an hour away…
