A perfect day out in Bilbao
Bilbao is a vibrant city in the north of Spain and a surprising destination for a city trip. The Guggenheim Museum might be the main reason people visit Bilbao, but the city has much more to offer!
Wake up at Vincci Consulado de Bilbao
The Vincci Consulado has an excellent location right across the Guggenheim and offers a nice view of the museum. Vincci hotels are renowned for their focus design and that's also the case in their hotel in Bilbao: rooms are spacious and trendy, the lovely terrace with a view of the river, and great design elements in the stairwell.
Start your day at the Guggenheim
Visiting the Guggenheim is a must when in Bilbao. Not only the architecture of the building is candy for the eye, but also the varied collection has something to offer for everyone. Go early to beat the crowds.
Walk along the river bank to the Zubizuri bridge, cross the bridge and walk to the station of the funicular that goes up to Monte Artxanda.
View on the city from above
For a panoramic view of the city, take the funicular up to Monte Artxanda. From here, you can clearly see that the city is located in a valley. Walk around and take in the beautiful scenery.
After taking the funicular back down, walk about 1,2 kilometres further south along the river bank to Casco Viejo. Don't feel like walking? You can also take the L3 metro line.
Get lost in Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo, the historic centre of Bilbao, is a maze of narrow streets with buildings in various styles such as Art Nouveau and Baroque. Here you'll find the best pintxos and wine bars. Other highlights in Casco Viejo are the Santiago cathedral, Mercado de la Ribera, the Begoña basilica and the Arriaga theatre. A perfect place to get lost and wander!
Architecture & cocktails
When strolling through the new city and the neighbourhood Abando, you'll immediately spot how different this part of the city is compared to Casco Viejo. Check out the cultural centre Azkuna Zentroa Alhóndiga Bilbao. Even when there isn't an expo, it's worth a quick visit. For a delicious cocktail, stop at La Mula de Moscú.
Dinner at Coppola
You'll find many good dining options in the city. One of my personal favourites is Coppola: super friendly staff, fresh pasta, huge pizzas and a nice interior. For a more upscale experience, reserve a table at Etxanobe, a Michelin-starred restaurant.