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
The Pozalagua caves, in the heart of the Karrantza Valley, are home to one of Europe’s greatest underground spectacles: a forest of eccentric stalactites that defy gravity and spread out in every direction. This unique geological phenomenon makes Pozalagua a magical place, transporting visitors to an underground world of whimsical and surprising shapes.
7. SAN JUAN DE GAZTELUGATXE
Linked to the mainland by a stone bridge and 241 steps, the hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is one of Bizkaia’s most iconic landmarks. Perched between Bakio and Bermeo, this rocky island offers breathtaking views of the Cantabrian Sea and is steeped in seafaring legends that make it a magical space. Its unique beauty has made it a setting for international film shoots and a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience the essence of the Basque coast.
8. FARO DE SANTA KATALINA
The Santa Katalina lighthouse in Lekeitio is the only one on the Cantabrian coast open to the public as an interpretation centre. From this stunning vantage point, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the sea and the Basque coastline. Beyond its heritage value, it offers immersive experiences related to navigation, seafaring life and the fishing culture that have shaped Bizkaia’s identity for centuries.
9. NERVION WATERFALL
Near the impressive town of Orduña, the Nervión waterfall is, at 270 metres high, the tallest waterfall in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the most spectacular in Europe. Located in a unique natural setting on the border between Bizkaia, Alava and Burgos, it makes for a breathtaking sight, especially after rainfall. From the viewpoint suspended above the gorge, visitors can enjoy a dramatic panorama of the waterfall and surrounding landscape, where nature and mountains meet in their purest form.
10. URDAIBAI
Urdaibai, declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is one of Bizkaia’s great natural treasures. This estuary combines wild beaches, marshes, cliffs and forests, and is home to exceptional biodiversity. It is a place where nature, history and tradition come together, with picturesque towns like Mundaka and Gernika, and is perfect for enjoying outdoor activities in a truly unique setting.