One of the most famous attractions in Bilbao, Spain, is the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum. And yes, this museum of modern art is an absolute eye-catcher of the city and for many people, the reason to plan a city trip there. But Bilbao has so much more to offer. I stayed in Bilbao for a few days at the start of my tour through the Basque Country and was truly pleasantly surprised!
Besides its modern appearance, the city also boasts a beautiful historic center with colorful streets full of cozy pintxos bars. Additionally, the city center is surrounded by a green mountain landscape and is conveniently located near the Bay of Biscay coast. Bilbao is therefore not only a paradise for architecture lovers but also a perfect destination for foodies, shopaholics, and outdoor enthusiasts. Do you want to know which attractions you shouldn’t miss during your city trip to Bilbao? We share tips for the top 10 most enjoyable things to do in and around the city!
A City Trip in the Basque Country
Did you know that according to its inhabitants, Bilbao is actually not a Spanish but a Basque city? Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country, a region in northern Spain where the main language spoken is Basque, not Spanish. Tourism in Bilbao is relatively new compared to some other Spanish cities because until a few decades ago, the Basque Country was still affected by the terror of ETA and the dictatorship of Franco.
The Positive Impact of the Guggenheim Museum on Bilbao
That is now truly a thing of the past, and Bilbao’s shipyard has been replaced by the magnificent Guggenheim Museum. With the arrival of this museum, tourism in Bilbao also increased. This resulted in more funds to beautify the city. And you can see the difference! And not just Bilbao itself, but the entire province of Biscay, where the city is located, is fantastic to explore. In Bilbao/Biscay, city, nature, art, and history come together.
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain
As mentioned earlier, the arrival of the Guggenheim Museum in 1997 transformed the city of Bilbao from an industrial city in crisis into a thriving tourist destination. And it’s not without reason; the building, designed by Canadian architect Frank Owen Gehry, is truly remarkable. The museum is undoubtedly one of the most important attractions in Bilbao that you shouldn’t miss, if not the most important. Art lovers, especially those interested in (modern) art, should definitely take a look inside the Guggenheim Museum.
Unique Architecture
If you’re not particularly interested in art, the exterior of the building is especially intriguing, although the building, with its organic forms, is also beautiful to behold from the inside. Taking a stroll around the building is an experience in itself, as it is a large complex that offers a different view from every angle. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao hosts changing exhibitions. So, if you’ve been there in the past, it’s worth visiting again! And Bilbao isn’t the only city in the world with a Guggenheim museum; there are also Guggenheim museums in New York and Venice.
The Puppy of Bilbao
In front of the Guggenheim Museum stands an enormous puppy adorned with flowers, designed by Jeff Koons. The puppy has been there since the construction of the Guggenheim Museum in 1997. In the summer, the flowers on the Puppy are different from those in the winter, giving it a sort of summer and winter coat! The square where the puppy stands is named after the police officer who prevented an ETA attack on the King of Spain at this spot.
Architecture During Your Bilbao City Trip
For architecture enthusiasts, there are many attractions in Bilbao, Spain. Of course, the Guggenheim is the highlight, but there are also several beautiful bridges built over the river, such as the Zubizuri Bridge, also known as the White Bridge. The Alhondiga cultural complex is also interesting to visit, if only to see the ceiling where you can see people swimming. The ceiling of this building is actually the glass bottom of the pool above.
Strolling Along the Nervion River
When walking from the Guggenheim Museum to the historic center of Bilbao, you will pass along the Nervion River. It’s a beautiful walk of about 20 minutes. You’ll pass by various bridges, including the White Bridge, and there are benches everywhere where you can take a moment to enjoy the peace and the view.
The Old Town of Bilbao: Casco Viejo
The charming old town of Bilbao (Casco Viejo) is reminiscent of beautiful Spanish cities. It’s definitely one of the attractions in Bilbao that you shouldn’t miss. There are stately, colorful houses, narrow streets, and, of course, a central square, Plaza Nueva. Along Plaza Nueva, you’ll find many pintxos bars, where you can relax with a snack and a drink during your city trip to Bilbao. Pintxos are typical of the Northern Spanish cuisine, and Plaza Neuva is the perfect place to enjoy them.
Pintxos Bars in Bilbao
You’re probably familiar with Spanish tapas, those small bites found all over Spain. But in the Basque Country, and therefore also in Bilbao, tapas take on a slightly different form and name. The Basques call them pintxos, and these snacks are served on a slice of bread. This bread can take various forms and compositions, from simple baguettes with tuna salad or Serrano ham to gourmet towers on refined bread.
Where to Enjoy Delicious Pintxos?
During your city trip to Bilbao, you can enjoy these tasty bites in a pintxos bar or panedaria (bakery), where the pintxos are displayed on the bar. You can then choose which ones you fancy, and you settle the bill at the end. A pintxo typically costs around 1 to 2.50 euros. You can find pintxos throughout the day, whether you want them for lunch, as a snack, or for dinner; you can easily pop into a bar. As described above, in the old town of Bilbao, you’ll find many pintxos bars around Plaza Nueva. In the new city center, Ledesma No. 5 comes recommended. There are more good pintxos bars around Ledesma as well.
More Restaurant Tips for Bilbao
A visit to the covered market Mercado de la Ribera is also recommended for foodies. And if you want to indulge in culinary delights during your weekend in Bilbao, make a reservation at one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants in the city. But not only in the Michelin-starred restaurants can you enjoy culinary delights. For instance, you can have excellent food at La Bodega de Ola, in a cozy setting. Not only is the tasting menu exquisite here, but the sometimes surprising drinks they serve alongside are fantastic.
A Ride on the Artxanda Funicular for Beautiful Views
If you want a beautiful view over Bilbao, you can take a ride on the Artxanda funicular during your city trip to the top of the hill that overlooks the city. From here, on clear days, you can oversee the entire Bilbao. It’s fun if you want to escape the city center for a bit. Here, you can also see very well how green and hilly Bilbao/Biscay is!
The San Mamés Stadium: Home of Athletic Club Bilbao
The inhabitants of Bilbao take football seriously, and the club of Bilbao is Athletic. When there are no matches, you can take a look at the San Mamés Stadium, where Athletic Club Bilbao plays. There’s also a cafe from where you have a nice view of the field. And of course, you can also enjoy a pintxo here! Fun fact: the players of Athletic Club must have Basque origin, and this is determined by looking at the players’ mothers. Because you can never be sure about the father 😉 In 2020, the European Football Championship took place in this stadium, among others!
Explore Bilbao by Bike: Book a Bike Tour!
Most of the above-mentioned attractions in Bilbao, Spain, can be seen during a bike tour through the city. The guides from Baja Bikes, who live in the city themselves, can tell you interesting facts and backgrounds about the city and know the spots where tourists don’t usually venture. It’s a fun way to explore more of the city than just the center, without having to walk for miles! And when you do the bike tour at the beginning of your Bilbao city trip, you’ll get an impression of the city in just a few hours and can later revisit the places you liked the most.
Climb Mount Pagasarri
Did you know that Bilbao in Spain is a real outdoor city? The city is surrounded by a green mountain landscape, also known as the green ring. Mount Pagasarri is part of that green ring and is one of the most popular places among locals for hiking. Therefore, it cannot be missing from our top 10 tips for attractions in Bilbao.
Beautiful View from the Top
From the city, it’s about a half-hour walk to the starting point of the hiking route up the mountain. It’s not the most beautiful or exciting hiking route you can find in Biscay, but the top is definitely worth it. From the top of Mount Pagasarri, you have a magnificent view over Bilbao. There’s also a bar here with cozy picnic spots everywhere. Especially on a sunny weekend day, it’s very enjoyable to visit.
