CULTURAL AND CULINARY BILBAO
The city of Bilbao is proof that gastronomy is an art in the Basque Country – one of the areas with the most Michelin Stars per person in the world – so there will be plenty of places to celebrate the rugby!
Plaza Nueva and its surrounding streets are full of busy bars serving their famous pinchos: small, delicious bites of food. Here, foodies can find their place among the buzzing bars, family-run restaurants and prestigious chefs.
Cultural and culinary Bilbao is also a green city, with parks such as Doña Casilda de Iturrizar, surrounded by hills (dare to ride the Artxanda cable car, a classic option to get a bird’s eye view of Bilbao). The estuary is another symbol of the regeneration of Bilbao. You can spot people paddle surfing on the water, or take a boat to the famous Hanging Bridge of Portugalete, declared a World Heritage Site – simply stunning.
TOP THINGS TO DO IN THE REGION
1. THE OLD TOWN
As the oldest part of Bilbao, this is where it all began, and the neighbourhood still rings with the same traditional charm it always has. But it’s far from being a tame sort of place; the old town is alive with plenty of restaurants, bars and shops, and new spots are popping up all the time. It rides with the times. Come here for a pintxo (a small typical snack) or sip on a glass of wine at a local bar and take your time exploring the trinket shops in the area.
2. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
For travellers and locals, art lovers and curious minds, the Guggenheim is unmissable. The experience starts by simply walking towards the brilliantly odd-shaped, metal-looking façade: everything around it is art, from the building itself to the two famous statues outside the museum: Puppy the dog and Mamá the spider. Once inside, the breathtaking spaces host appropriately spectacular exhibitions.
3. BILBAO'S BRIDGES
Bilbao has grown around its river and the bridges are essential to the city. From the 14th-century San Antón bridge and the recently-opened Frank Gehry to the Calatrava-designed Zubizuri and the Puente de Deusto (a drawbridge that opens up the city centre to vessel traffic), bridges of all kinds connect Bilbao’s two shores.
4. MUSEO DE BELLAS ARTES DE BILBAO
Even before the Guggenheim, Bilbao’s art gallery scene was excellent. The Bellas Artes Museum is home to fascinating collections of nationally renowned painters like Goya, El Greco, Murillo and Gauguin, and works from other influential Spanish and Basque artists. It might be a little older and less famous but the Museo de Bellas Artes is a delight.
5. HUCHA DE LOS TXIKITEROS
Txikiteros are groups of people who frequent the old town bars and drink txikitos (small glasses of wine). Before making their way home, they approach this ‘piggybank’ in Pelota Street, marked by an ‘x’ on the floor. Here they place their spare coins, and every October 11, the money is collected and donated to charity. It’s also the only place in the old town from where the Basílica de la Virgen de Begoña is visible.
6. POZALAGUA
Pozalagua Cave, in the Karrantza Valley, is famed for its unique stalactites that twist in all directions. Discovered after a quarry blast, it reveals a stunning underground world. Visitors explore dramatic rock formations and end at a panoramic viewpoint. Nearby, the Parketxea Centre offers exhibits and scenic views of Armañón Natural Park.
7. SAN JUAN DE GAZTELUGATXE
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, with its fishing heritage, houses offerings and boat-themed art inside its hermitage. Once a battleground refuge, it’s now a Protected Natural Biotope and pilgrimage site every 24 June. Perched 150 meters above sea level, the climb rewards visitors with breathtaking views.
8. FARO DE SANTA KATALINA
Santa Katalina Lighthouse, the only visitable one in the Basque Country, features an info centre on navigation basics and a virtual journey from Lekeitio to Elantxobe. Set beside a watchtower in a natural landscape, the lantern still operates, so that part remains closed to visitors.
9. NERVION WATERFALL
Near Orduña, the only city in Bizkaia, the Nervión Waterfall sits on the border of the Basque Country and Castile and León. Best viewed from the Delika canyon lookout—especially in rainy months—it’s accessible via a marked trail from Puerto de Orduña to Monte Santiago.
10. URBAIBAI
Urdaibai, declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1984, is one of Bizkaia’s key natural areas. It’s ideal for birdwatching, water sports, hiking, and cycling. Highlights include the Ekoetxea Urdaibai centre in Busturia and the Urdaibai Bird Centre in Gautegiz Arteaga, a living museum of birdlife and migration.