Hotels in Bilbao

With world-famous architects like Frank Ghery, Norman Foster, and Philippe Starck erecting some of their best designs in the city, Bilbao is the proud owner of one of Spain’s most daringly modern skylines. Visitors come to marvel at the rippling curves of the Guggenheim Museum, which is just down the street from the neoclassical buildings and modern pintxos bars of the city centre.

But there is also an old-world charm to the city that visitors would be remiss to ignore. This can be found in the winding, cobblestone streets of Casco Viejo or the Old Town, where old-timey bars and cafes congregate.

How to Get There

A big, bustling city in the north of Spain, Bilbao is well connected via plane, bus, or train. The Bilbao International Airport is a mere 12 kilometers from the city centre and hosts flights from most major European cities. Visitors coming in by air can catch the A3247 bus to Plaza Moyua, which is in the city centre. Major Spanish bus companies such as ALSA and FlixBus have daily bus routes to Bilbao from cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and San Sebastian. Long-distance trains come into the Bilbao-Abando train station from all over the Iberian Peninsula.

Getting Around

While Bilbao is one of Spain’s larger cities, most of the points of interest for tourists are within close proximity to each other, meaning that it is easy for visitors to explore Bilbao on foot. But those who are short on time need not worry, as Bilbao’s metro system reaches all major areas of the city, as well as the nearby waterfront villages and beaches within the larger metropolitan area.

The urban bus network is also quite extensive. It features normal bus services from 6 AM to 11 PM daily, and late-night buses on Fridays and Saturdays.

Top Things to Do

At the number one spot of the top things to do in Bilbao is visit the Guggenheim Museum, an expertly designed complex that combines visual art and architecture to create a unique visitor experience. Culture vultures should visit the Bilbao Museum of Fine Arts. With works from the 12th to the 21st century, the museum is home to one of the most important collections in the Basque Country. There’s also the Azkuna Zentroa, a former wine exchange that was converted into a cultural and leisure centre. The building was re-designed by Philippe Starck to be supported by 43 pillars, each with its own unique design.

For a taste of old-world Bilbao, visitors can stroll through Casco Viejo or Old Town, a neighborhood famous for its colorful architecture and a wide variety of old school pintxos bars and quirky shops. The Cathedral de Santiago de Bilbao, the Church of San Nicolas, and the Archeological Museum can be found in this area as well.

For picturesque views of the city, visitors can ride a funicular cable railway to the top of Mount Artxanda, where one can find beautiful walkways and elegant restaurants, or take a boat ride down the Ria de Bilbao and sail leisurely past some of the city’s most iconic sights, including the historic Hotel Arenal Bilbao and the Bilbao Town Hall.

What to Eat

The Basque Country is famous for its unique and delicious cuisine, from rich, bite-sized pintxos to hearty seafood-based dishes, such as bacalao al pil-pil or codfish with garlic and olive oil emulsion, marmitako or tuna and potato stew, and txipirones or baby squids cooked in their ink.

Meanwhile, pintxos are usually small bites or slices of bread with delicious toppings. Pintxos can range from simple, with cheese, croquetas, or sardines, to sophisticated, with a complex combination of toppings and flavors, and are usually accompanied by a refreshing glass of wine. Maider restaurants and La Ribera Market are city favorites for traditional Basque cuisine.

Nightlife

When the sun goes down in Bilbao, locals and tourists flock to the city’s many bars and watering holes for drinks and pintxos. Casco Viejo is undoubtedly one of the most popular areas in the city for bar hopping. Visitors staying in central Bilbao can head to Valle Ledesma and Licenciado Poza, which have a very active nighttime scene. For a uniquely Basque experience, tourists can get cozy in a local cider tavern or sagardotegi and wash down copious amounts of grilled meats with a cold cider.

Where to Stay

Choosing where to stay in Bilbao is all a matter of atmosphere. Visitors who are looking for a convenient location in a lively neighborhood need to look no further than Casco Viejo. The city’s Old Town is home to some of the poshest hostels in Bilbao, as well as economical youth hostels and tourist apartments. Those in need of a more modern and hip vibe can turn to Bilbao la Vieja and San Frantzisko, two trendy, on-the-rise neighborhoods that are at the heart of the city’s youth culture.

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