The first city of the culturally and linguistically unique Basque region, Bilbao has rocketed up the list of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations in recent years. Until ten years ago it was a grey, grimy city of industrial prosperity – it was and still the country’s biggest port. But millions of pesetas (and later euros) have been pumped into regeneration, and it now makes for an attractive, chic city break.
Things to see and do:
- The Guggenheim – Built in 1997, the Guggenheim Museum testifies to Bilbao’s rebirth as a centre of culture. Like its sister museum in New York, its architectural style is arresting and its exhibitions cutting-edge.
- Casco Viejo – Bilbao’s old district is well worth exploring; home to a plethora of tapas bars and the city’s grand cathedral which dates back to the 15th century.
- Basque Museum – or the Basque Archaeological, Ethnographic and Historical Museum of Bilbao, to give it its full name. The museum is also situated in Casco Viejo, and is a great place to go if you want to get an idea of the fierce sense of cultural identity that permeates the region.
- Day trip – Bilbao might not have anything resembling a beach but the resort of San Sebastian, just an hour’s drive away towards the French border, plugs the gap – sand, sea and sun sit happily alongside history and culture aplenty, and it’s all overlooked by lush green mountains
Getting there:
Bilbao airport is about 10km outside the city, and there are regular buses running to the city centre during the daytime (6am-11pm) as well as taxis and car hire. Alternatively you can get to Bilbao by national bus, and trains run from Madrid, Barcelona and Zaragoza.
Location and weather:
Bilbao is situated in the Bay of Biscay, on Spain’s north-east coast and is just over 100km from the French border. Don’t come here to top up your tan – in Spanish terms, Bilbao is fairly wet and not that hot, with temperatures rarely getting over 25 degrees even in the summer.
Top tip:
Those with an interest in art and/or history should take a day trip to Guernica, the city obliterated by Franco during the Civil War and consequently immortalised in Picasso’s painting of the same name. |
