As from 27 March 2011, we introduce a 3rd daily flight from Brussels to Bilbao.
The Santiago Cathedral and the Guggenheim Museum will be the highlights of your visit to Bilbao.
Bilbao is situated in the north of Spain, in the Basque region. The Guggenheim Museum is the most important tourist attraction. The museum building is an architectural masterpiece designed by the US architect Frank Gehry and built on the site of a former shipyard. This building of chrome and metal houses a fabulous collection of modern art.
The cathedral and the Basque Museum are also worth a visit. You can really enjoy the local culture in Casco Viejo, a charming old district with a lot of open-air markets. It is always fun to wander around the large number of stalls.
Casco viejo
Introduction
Plan a siesta, as this part of town will
keep you rocking into the night. You’ll
find fabulous shopping and great
seafood as well as after-dark partying.
Hotels
With a modern interior,
the bright and cheery Pensión Roquefer
(2 Calle Loteria, tel. 944 150755,
pensionroquefer.com, doubles from €40)
is a central, great-value base.
Cultural
Delve into Basque
history and traditions at the Museo
Vasco (4 Plaza Miguel de Unamuno).
The central courtyard has a collection
of giant puppets used in the local fiestas,
while upstairs you’ll find plenty of art,
crafts and artefacts.
Restaurants
Delicious Iberian ham
croquettes, pâté and barbecued
monkfish are served on the al fresco
terrace of Sorgin Zulo (12 Plaza Nueva,
tel. 944 150684).
Pubs
Locals and travellers
converge at Café Bilbao (6 Plaza Nueva)
while planning the night ahead. Sit in the
square and enjoy the passing parade.
Night Clubs
One of
Bilbao’s best nightspots, Sala Fever
(Polígono Industrial Santa Ana) offers
four fever-inducing dance floors.
Shops
Specialising in
traditional Basque arts and crafts,
Rui-Wamba (10 Plaza Nueva) sells
original T-shirts, ceramics, paintings
and cane work.
Plaza ensanche
Introduction
Take time out to relax in the village
atmosphere of this quiet area, just
off the bustling Gran Via.
Hotels
The beautiful López
de Haro (2 Calle Obispo Orueta, tel. 944
235500, hotellopezdeharo.com, doubles
from €120) offers sublimely comfortable
rooms with classic décor.
Restaurants
Perfect for an informal
dinner, Los Candiles (1 Calle de
Diputació, tel. 944 241479) specialises
in potato omelette with caramelised
onions, pan-fried foie gras with goat’s
cheese and chargrilled lamb chops.
Pubs
Take time to check out
the theatre costumes that adorn the
walls of Amor de Madre (1 Calle Obispo
Orueta) while enjoying a cooling mojito.
Shops
If you want to
dress to impress with the perfect Italian
umbrella, hand-painted Spanish fan,
dandy-style cane or hat, make your way
to Osorio (7 Plaza del Ensanche).
The river
Introduction
Whether you plan a stroll or some pedal
pushing, the delightful Nervíon River is
bursting with fun and life.
Hotels
Sleek, chic and with
a touch of glamour, the Hesperia Bilbao
(28 Paseo Campo Volantin, tel. 944
051100, hesperia-bilbao.com, doubles
from €80) has views of the Guggenheim
Museum. Fitness lovers should book
a room with a gym.
Cultural
Don’t miss the
stunning special exhibition of works
by 19th-century French artist Henri
Rousseau at the Guggenheim Museum
(2 Avenida Abandoibarra).
Restaurants
Enjoy Basque ‘slow food’
and spectacular river views at El Txakoli
(19 Calle Santo Domingo Enekuri, tel.
944 455015). Try the roasted peppers
with anchovies, or salted cod salad.
Pubs
Sit in the shadow of
the titanium masterpiece at Café
Guggenheim (2 Avenida Abandoibarra)
Order a rueda white wine and enjoy the
views of Jeff Koons’ Puppy.
Deusto
Introduction
The stomping ground of the local
student population, this riverside
area has a contagious energy.
Restaurants
Packed out most nights,
La Gabarra (18 Calle Botica Vieja, tel.
944 477062) is the perfect spot to
watch the sun set over the city. Don’t
forget to try the excellent steaks and
locally-produced cider.
Pubs
Decked out in true
Spanish style with wine barrels and
bull-fighting posters, La Taberna del
Sur de Deusto (2 Calle de Heliodoro
de la Torre) is always popular. Grab
a table al fresco and enjoy the selection
of Spanish wine and tapas.
Night Clubs
Bilbao’s
hottest dance club, Conjunto Vacio
(3 Muelle de la Merced) is where to
get down to the latest techno and
house music amidst heavenly bodies
who know their moves.
Population
Currency
Telephone
Bilbao Airport, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is worth visiting for its architecture alone, and is situated 10km from the city centre.
Bus: The yellow
BizkaiBus runs every
30 minutes from
arrivals between
5.25am and 9.55pm.
The trip into town
takes 20 minutes
and costs €1,10.
Taxi: Expect to pay
about €18 for the
journey to the city
centre, which takes
15 minutes.
Tourist information: Tourist information:
The main office is
at 11 Plaza Ensanche
(tel. 94 479 5760,
bilbao.net).