The Basque region of Northern Spain is a wonderful place to explore, and we recommend spending some time in Bilbao, its largest city.
Foodies will fall in love with “burnt” Basque cheesecake, txuleta steak, and marmitako (tuna stew). Art lovers can admire the masterpieces at the Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. Sports fans flock to San Mames Stadium. Architecture buffs will appreciate the mixture of historic and modern buildings around the city.
While it doesn’t receive as many tourists as Madrid or Barcelona, Bilbao is a gem of a city that is well worth a visit. Below are some must-see places for first-timers:
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Without a doubt, the city’s biggest draw is the Guggenheim Museum. The spectacular titanium structure designed by famed architect Frank Gehry will make your jaw drop! The modern 24,000 m2 building (boasting 9000 m2 of exhibition space) is a unique example of deconstructivist architecture.
Inside, the museum displays a wide range of contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, and art installations. You will find masterpieces such as How Profound Is The Air by Eduardo Chillida, Untitled by Mark Rothko, Empire of Light by René Magritte, and The Matter of Time by Richard Serra. You can also see pieces by iconic artists such as Kandinsky, Chagall, and Warhol.
Please note that some of the museum’s most famous works of art are actually outside! Pieces such as Louise Bourgeois’ Maman, Jeff Koons’ Puppy, and Anish Kapoor’s Tall Tree and the Eye have often garnered more praise than the sculptures inside the Guggenheim.
For ticket pieces and current exhibitions, please consult the Guggenheim Bilbao homepage.
Casco Viejo
Don’t forget to stroll through the city’s old town. It is often referred to as “Siete Calles” because it has seven main streets (Carnicería Vieja, Somera, Artekale, Tendería, Belostikale, Barrenkale and Barrenkale Barrena).
In the old town, you will find the Arriaga Theater, Bilbao’s stunning Neo-Baroque opera house. It was named after a famous Bilbao musician, Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga. He is known as the “Spanish Mozart” because of his incredible talent (he composed his first opera at 13!) The theater is a gorgeous piece of architecture and puts on a variety of operas, ballets, plays, and concerts. Visit the Teatro Arriaga website for upcoming performances.
Be sure to visit La Ribera Market. In 1990, it was recognized as the largest covered food market in Europe. You can explore 10,000 square meters of fresh local food. The market’s 40 stalls sell Galician seafood, Iberian cured meats, Soria mushrooms, and other regional delicacies. La Riberia Market is one of many great places in Bilbao to eat some traditional pintxos (small savory snacks, held together by a toothpick).
Some other must-see places in Casco Viejo include the Bidebarrieta Library (which contains more than 100,000 books), the Palacio Yohn AKA La Bolsa (a Baroque-style stock exchange), The Santiago Cathedral (a 15th-century Gothic church dedicated to Saint James), and Palacio Arana (a Renaissance palace built in 1590).
Parque Doña Casilda Iturrizar
If you need a breath of fresh air, head to the city’s impressive municipal park. The 21-acre green space features sweeping lawns, botanical gardens, ornamental fountains, and a duck pond. You may even catch an open-air performance at the pergola.
Chávarri Palace
This Flemish-style mansion, reminiscent of Renaissance palaces in Antwerp and Bruges, was built for businessman Victor Chávarri, Marqués de Triano. It is now the headquarters of the Spanish Government Delegation in Bilbao. The decorative palace, designed by Belgian architect Paul Hankar, was the first building of the Biscayan bourgeoisie that was built outside of Bilbao’s Old Town. If you are lucky enough to reserve a tour on the last Saturday of the month, you can explore the interior. If not, simply photograph the stunning facade and beautiful Federico Moyúa Plaza in front of it.
City Hall
The Bilbao City Hall is an impressive neoclassical building located in Plaza Ernesto Erkoreka. It was constructed at the end of the 19th century by architect Joaquín Rucoba, on the former site of the Convent of St. Augustine. The building houses the offices of the city council and the mayor, but it is also a popular tourist attraction. If you book well in advance, you can arrange a guided tour to appreciate the city hall’s grand interiors. You may see the Baroque-style Council Chamber, the Neo-Arabic-style reception room, and perhaps even the mayor’s office.
Food & Drink
After a long day of sightseeing, you deserve a delicious dinner…and maybe a tipple or two.
When it comes to award-winning restaurants, you may be excited to learn that the Guggenheim is also home to some culinary art. Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao has a Michelin star and was ranked #32 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2019. It features seasonal local ingredients, and changes its tasting and à la carte menus in the spring, summer and fall. Central Bilbao has a few other Michelin 1-star restaurants: Mina, Ola Martín Berasategui, and Zarate.
A few minutes out of town (in Larrabetzu) you will find Azurmendi, a stunning restaurant with 3 Michelin stars! With a focus on sustainability, chef Eneko Atxa offers diners a unique gastronomic experience. You consume each course in a different area of the restaurant: including the garden, the pantry, and the kitchen table. His tasting menu includes seafood, red meat, poultry, and vegetarian dishes.
For a more casual dining experience, we recommend stopping at different pintxos bars around the city. By having a drink and small bite at each location, you will appreciate the numerous Basque delicacies on offer. Some popular venues include El Globo, Café Bar Bilbao, and Victor Montes. Our personal favorite pintxos establishment is La Viña del Ensanche, which serves some of the best Ibérico ham in Bilbao.
If you are looking for a before or after dinner drink you have plenty of options. You could try an award-winning cocktail at Gin Fizz, sample a locally produced wine at Cork, or savor some craft beers at Singular.
The foregoing are just some of the highlights of Bilbao. We hope you get to experience this charming city for yourself!
If you plan to explore other cities in Spain, please read our articles Travel Tips For A Quick Trip To Madrid and How To Spend 48 Hours In Barcelona, Spain.