'''Bilbao'''[http://www.bilbao.net/nuevobilbao/jsp/bilbao/homeModulos.jsp?idioma=I&color=rojo] is the capital of Vizcaya in the Basque Country. The city is situated on the banks of the Nervion, a tidal river. The climate in Bilbao is milder than in most other parts of the peninsula, rarely falling below freezing in winter, or rising above 35oC in summer. There is also more rain, which is a mixed blessing. The green hills of Bilbao are a welcome relief after an extended stay in the dry plains in the south, but planning a day at the beach is more risky. The population of Bilbao proper is just over 372,000, but within the metropolitan area there are over 1,000,000 inhabitants.

Get in

By bus

All buses to other provinces leave from the TermiBus terminal. There are regular connections to Santander (90 minutes) San Sebastian (60 minutes) and Madrid (arriving at Avenida de Las Americas bus station, 4-5 hours) among others.

The bus companies connect Bilbao with many cities in Spain more cheaply and frequently than the rail companies.

The company linking Bilbao to Santander is ALSA[http://www.alsa.es] (tel: +34 902422242), and in theory you can get info about buses from Santander to Bilbao at [http://www.santandereabus.com/].

For Vitoria-Gasteiz, take La Union Alavesa buses.

By plane

Bilbao Airport is served by Lufthansa, Spanair, Alitalia, Air France, Air Berlin, TuiFly, AerLingus, Iberia, Air Europa, ClickAir, Vueling and several other airlines. Easy Jet flies from London Stansted to Bilbao airport. You can also fly with Ryanair to Santander.

To get to downtown from the airport, take Bizkaibus from the arrivals sidewalk: there is no arrivals hall. The bus leaves every half hour at :15 and :45 past the hour from the airport to Bilbao bus terminal. The reverse journey is at :25 and :55 past the hour from the bus terminal to the airport, stopping at Plaza Moyua on the way. A single ticket costs less than ?2.

Taxis to downtown Bilbao from the airport cost about ?25-30.

By train

RENFE-- runs intercity trains to Madrid, Barcelona, Vigo (Galicia). All Renfe trains leave from Abando Station.

FEVE -- runs regional trains to Santander (3 daily), and Leon (1 Daily). They are very slow, and make a stop in almost every single town they pass through. From Santander you can continue to Oviedo (Asturias), and La Coruna (Galicia). This journey has three legs, but it is only possible to do 2 legs in any one day. FEVE trains leave from Santander Station (next to Abando Station)

EuskoTren -- runs a local service to San Sebastian, with connection there for Irun (on the Spanish-French border). It takes two hours to reach San Sebastian. Trains leave from Atxuri Station.

By boat

A direct car ferry is available between Bilbao and Portsmouth, England. It is best to book early, since the ferry is often booked out in summer. By taking the P&O ferry to Bilbao and immediately returning, a mini-cruise can be had which allows approximately two and a half hours in Bilbao.

Get around

By car

Bilbao is difficult to drive in. Hilly one-way streets, and frequent construction projects, make it a nightmare for drivers in parts of the city. Having an automobile map helps a lot; without it allow at least 30min extra to find the right exit from the city.

Public transport

If you are going to take more than one or two journeys on public transit, a CreditTrans card would be a good investment. It can save you up to 50% over buying single tickets. It is valid on all the municipal transit systems in Bilbao, and most (soon to be all) of the provincial transit systems in Vizcaya. It is a pay per ride card available at all Metro and Tram stations in denominations of ?5, ?10, and ?15. It is also available at many newspaper stands. Individual tickets cost from ?1.15 upward.

  • '''MetroBilbao''' [http://www.metrobilbao.net/] Convenient, Norman Foster designed Metro. Single line within Bilbao, splitting into two lines after San Inazio station. Tickets cost from ?1.20-1.45, depending on distance, or a daily card is available for ?3.
  • '''Bilbobus''' City bus service.
  • '''EuskoTran''' [http://www.euskotren.es/euskotran/index.html] Tram from Atxuri Station to Basurto. The single line runs along the river passing the ''Bilbao Guggenheim Museum''. Single tickets cost ?1.15, and are sold from machines at tram stops. Don't forget to validate the ticket before boarding.
  • '''EuskoTren''' [http://www.euskotren.es/] Local train service leaving from Atxuri Station for Bermeo, Guernica/Gernika and San Sebastian (Donostia). Some good views but the train is slower than buses.
  • '''BizkaiBus''' For buses which operate outside Bilbao city limits. BizkaiBus runs a service between the bus terminal and the airport, with a stop in Plaza Moyua (ask in Hotel Carlton).
  • '''Artxanda Funicular''' Spectacular views of Bilbao.
  • By foot

    It takes about 30 minutes to walk along the river between the Guggenheim Museum and the ''Casco Viejo''.

    By taxi

    Taxi Bilbao: Tel: +34 94 609436545

    See

    Museums

  • Guggenheim Museum. bandoibarra etorbidea, 2. ttp://www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/ingles/home.htm. ue-Sun, 10:00 to 20:00; Jul and Aug: Mon-Sun, 10:00 to 20:00. Closed Jan 1 and Dec 25. dults ?12.50; students under 26: ?7.50; children under 12: free. Frank Gehry's spectacular twisting titanium-clad modern art museum is perhaps the most celebrated building of the 1990s. The graceful, sensuous curves, evocative of the ships that used to be ubiquitous along the docks of Bilbao, are covered in titanium squares, which resemble the scales of a fish and shimmer in the sunlight. In keeping with the maritime theme, appropriate for the setting, the skylights of the largest gallery (formerly known as the Fish gallery) are designed to look like the fins of fish. Many parts of the building are pure decorative, and don't serve any purpose inside. The permanent collection is not particularly impressive, but the museum always hosts at least one interesting temporary exhibit, frequently comprised of masterpieces from the other Guggenheim collections.

  • Museo de Bellas Artes. useum of Fine Art. laza del Museo, 2. ue-Sat, 10am-8pm; Sun and public holidays 10am-2pm; Mon: closed. 1 Jan and 25 December: closed. eneral: ?4.50; groups, students, senior citizens and unemployed: ?3. Free of charge on Wed, and for children under 12. Artean Package, ?11 (tickets for both the Guggenheim Museum and the Fine Arts Museum). Prices change for special exhibitions.. The Museum of Fine Art's remarkable collection currently boasts more than six thousand works dating from the 12th century to the present day, and includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, engravings and decorative objects.

  • Basque Museum. uskal Museoa. laza Unamuno, 4. ue-Sat: 11am-5pm, Sun 11am-2pm. Mondays and public holidays: closed. dults: ?3; students and groups ?1.50. Children under 10 and seniors: free. Thu: free. Established in 1921 to focus on the prehistory, archaeology, ethnography and history of Euskadi (Basque homeland). Not a particularly well laid out museum. It will be of passing interest to people who study Basque culture.

  • '''La Ria Maritime Museum''', Muelle Ramon de la Sota, 1. Located in what used to be the Euskalduna shipyard, next to the current Euskalduna Performing Arts Center. The Museum covers an area of 27,000 square metres, 7,000 for indoor exhibitions and 20,000 for outdoor exhibitions, the three docks, the walkway surrounding them and the estuary.
  • :Adults: ?4; Students under 26: ?2.50; Senior citizens, pensioners, and people over 65: ?2.50. Disabled and unemployed people: ?2.50. Children under 6: free of charge.
  • :Winter: Tue-Fri, 10am-2pm, 4-6pm. Sat-Sun, 10am-2pm, 4-8pm. Summer: call to check.
  • '''Museo Taurino (Bullfighting Museum)''', Martin Aguero, 1, Plaza de Toros de Vista Alegre, (Near Plaza Zabalburu), tel. 94-444-8698. Next to a bullring, the Museo Taurino highlights the role bullfighting has played in Euskadi.
  • '''Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro (Museum of Sacred Art)''', Plaza de la Encarnacion, 9-B, Atxuri, tel. 94-432-0125. A former convent founded in 1515 by Dominican nuns.
  • '''Museo de Reproducciones Artisticas (Museum of Artistic Reproductions)''', Conde Mirasol (no number), tel. 94-415-7673. Full-scale reproductions of the world's most famous works of art. Call ahead for a guided visit.
  • Churches

  • '''Cathedral of St. James (Santiago)''' Gothic Style 14th century Cathedral, named after Bilbao's official patron saint. Three naves and small Gothic cloisters. The building was designated a cathedral in 1949. Its Neogothic tower and main facade were designed by Severino de Achucarro in the 1800s. The adjoining square (Plaza de Santiago) bosts a fountain designed by Luis Paret during the reign of Carlos III with the inscription ''Por el bien publico'' (For the good of the people).
  • '''Iglesia de San Anton''' Gothic style church from the first half of the 15th century (1422). Dedicated to San Anton in the 16th century, the building is a mixture of styles including a renaissance portico and baroque tower which was built in 1777. The church was constructed on the ruins of a former alcazar, and is shown on Bilbao's shield.
  • ''' Basilica de Begona''', [http://www.basilicadebegona.com/index2.htm]. Overlooking Bilbao, this is perhaps the most symbolic religious building in the city. Built in the 16th Century by Sancho Martinez de Arego, who was also responsible for the Iglesia San Anton. It is a basilica of three naves. During the first Carlista War, in 1835, the facade and the tower were destroyed. The present ones were designed Jose Maria Basterra and constructed between 1902 and 1907.
  • '''Iglesia de San Nicolas''', Esperanza, 1 (Arenal, Casco Viejo), 94 416 1424. The Iglesia de San Nicolas, finished in the 19th century, is dedicated to the patron saint of sailors. One of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Vizcaya.
  • '''Iglesia de San Vicente Martir''', Plaza de San Vicente, (Near: Abando), 94-423-1296. Gothic church built in the 16th century.
  • Other Places of Interest

  • A flower puppy. Just in the front of the Guggenheim Museum, created by Jeff Koons, it's one of the most famous symbols of modern Bilbao.

  • '''Birthplace of Miguel Unamuno''', c/La Ronda 16, next to Plaza Unamuno (Metro station: Casco Viejo). Spanish author born on the 29th of September 1864. His works include the novels ''Niebla'' and ''San Manuel Bueno, Mar''tir, which are both read in AP Spanish Literature classes in the United States. Unamuno died on the 31st of December 1936 in Salamanca.
  • '''Teatro Arriaga''', tel. 94-435-5100, [http://www.teatroarriaga.com/]. Originally inaugurated on the 31st of May 1890, on the site of several former theaters, the first Teatro Arriaga burnt down on the 22nd of December 1914. The second Teatro Arriaga opened on the 5th of June 1919. Evocative of the Opera House in Paris, the theater has an ornate facade and beautiful interior. The theater, and the square in front of it, were named after Juan Crosotomo de Arriaga, a composer from Bilbao. There is a tourist information office in the theater building, which you can on the left side from Plaza Arriaga.
  • '''Estacion de Santander (Santander Station, FEVE Station)''' also known as La Concordia, was built between 1898-1902 on the banks of the Nervion. Designed by the engineer Valentin Gorbena, with the ''art nouveau'' main facade added later with a design by the architect Severino Achucarro.
  • '''Puente de San Anton''' Next to the Iglesia de San Anton sits Bilbao's most emblematic bridge.
  • '''Mercado de la Ribera''' Another emblem next to the Iglesia de San Anton is the Mercado de la Rivera. One of the biggest covered markets in Europe. It was built in 1929 on the site of the original Rivera Street market. Produce fish and meat are sold in the market every morning, except Sundays.
  • '''Plaza Nueva''' Bilbao's Plaza Nueva was originally named Plaza de Fernando VII. Construction began on the plaza on December 31, 1829 and finished exactly 20 years later on December 31, 1849. This plaza was the seat of the Diputacion de Vizcaya until July 1900 when the Diputacion moved to its new home on the Gran Via. The Academy of the Basque Language (Euskaltzaindia) currently occupies the old Diputacion building in the Plaza Nueva. There is a market of used books, stamps, coins, and other small items in the plaza every Sunday morning.
  • '''Palacio de la Diputacion''' Ornately decorated palace situated on the Grand Via. Baroque-style monument designed by Luis Aladren in 1897 to serve as the seat of the Diputacion Foral de Bizkaia (Vizcaya) and inaugurated on July 31, 1900. The interior is just as lavish as the exterior, with beautiful stained glass windows.
  • '''Plaza Moyua''' and '''Gran Via''' On the strech of the Gran Via between Plaza Abando and Plaza Moyua is the main shopping and fashion district of Bilbao. On this short stretch you can find tons of clothes shops (For, Zara, Mango, H&M) as well as department store El Corte Ingles. This is a must-walk street.
  • '''Parque Etxebarria''' The site of a former steel factory, this park was created in the 1980s as the first step of reorienting Bilbao from the industrial sector to the service sector. Wonderful views of the Casco Viejo and the Teatro Arriaga. There is a prominent chimney in the park, left over from the site's time as a factory. The park hosts a fun fair in August.
  • '''Ayuntamiento (City Hall)''' (also known as ''la Casa Consistorial'' or ''Udaletxea'') Plaza Ernesto Erkoreka, 94-420-4200. The city hall opened in 1892. Designed by architect Jaquin Rucoba in neo-baroque style. Don't miss the main reception area, called Arab Salon.
  • '''Zubizuri''' The graceful white pedestrian bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava. It spans the Nervion connecting the riverwalks Campo Volatin and Mazarredo. Be careful, the bridge is slippery when wet!
  • '''La Leona''' Lion statue on top of a building in Deusto. Seen from Euskalduna Performance Center.
  • '''Bilbao Airport''' Curvaceous white 'bird-like' building by Santiago Calatrava. Strangely missing an arrival hall.
  • '''Biblioteca Municipal de Bidebarrieta''', Bidebarrieta, 4, (Casco Viejo, near Teatro Arriaga), tel. 94-415-6930. Commissioned by El Sitio society at the end of the 19th century, this building was built by architect Severino de Achucarro as a social hall. Now home to the city's historical archives and library.
  • '''Palacio de Ibaigane''', Alameda Mazarredo, 23, tel. 94-424-0877. Home to the Athletic Club de Bilbao, Bilbao's football team. Built in the early 20th century. Note the arched entranceway. The nearest metro stop is Moyua.
  • '''Palacio de Olabarri''', Campo Volantin, 37, Palacete del Puerto Autonomo de Bilbao, tel. 94-487-1200. An interesting mix of several architectural styles. In the late 19th century it was the residence of Bilbaino entrepreneur Jose Maria de Olabarri. Now the seat of Bilbao's port authority.
  • '''Santa y Real Casa de la Misericordia''', Sabino Arana, 2, tel. 94-441-1900. Next to Plaza del Sagrado Corazon. Constructed in the mid-19th century as a charitable house for the poor.
  • .

    Do

  • In the summer see an '''open air concert''' at the '''Kiosko del Arenal''' ''El Arenal Parque (across from Plaza Arriaga)''. The stage was built in 1923, and renovated in 1985.
  • Beginning the first Saturday after August 15th and lasting for 9 days is '''Aste Nagusia''' / '''Semana Grande''', the city's fiesta (holiday). An interesting time to come, but be prepared for lots of noise, music, street theater and events, with firework displays in the evening. Details from the tourist office in '''Teatro Arriaga'''.
  • Walk through the seven streets of the '''Casco Viejo'''.
  • Climb the Mallona stairs from '''Plaza Unamuno''' to '''Parque Etxebarria''' for the great views.
  • Walk along the river.
  • Walk through '''Dona Casilda Iturrizar Park''', admiring the ponds and gardens, next to the Fine Arts Museum.
  • Take the '''Artxanda Funicular''', again for the views.
  • Buy

    Clothes and shoes

  • For. ttp://www.for.es. An outlet of the national chain, see the Buy section of Spain article. :* <buy name="" alt="" address="Gran Via 22" directions="" phone="94 435 6300" email="" fax="" url="http://for.es/tiendas/tiendas_detalle.php?id_tienda=3" hours="10am-8:30pm" price=""></buy> :* <buy name="" alt="" address="c/Victor 5" directions="Casco Viejo" phone="944794340" email="" fax="" url="http://for.es/tiendas/tiendas_detalle.php?id_tienda=4" hours="10am-8:30pm" price=""></buy>

    Eat

    Pintxos

    The local custom is to call what are known in Spanish as ''tapas'' by the Basque name, ''Pintxos'', probably much more elaborated than their Spanish cousins due to the Basque love of gastronomy.

    Fri and Sat night are most popular time for eating pintxos--as it is for going to bars.

  • '''Aritz'''. Calle Zugastinobia 4 48012 Bilbao. Was once one of the best Pintxos bars in Bilbao, quite out of the way (almost hidden really in a very small, one way street away from the main thoroughfares). Ask for it and you will be given directions. It is worth the walk since they have won the local Pintxo contests for ages. Closed as of Feb. 2008 and as the summer of 2008 reopened with what appears to be new management with less emphasis on its prize-winning pintxos. It's worth going to this street though because there are dozens other pintxos bars.
  • Plaza Nueva

    among others:
  • Bilbao Cafe bar. laza Nueva, 6. 4 415 16 71.
  • Charley Bar. laza Nueva, 8. 4 415 01 27.
  • Fernando. laza Nueva, 12. 4 415 05 64.
  • Victor. laza Nueva, 2. 4 415 1678.

    near the Diputacion

  • El Globo. /Diputacion, 8. 4 415 42 21.
  • La Vina del Ensanche. /Diputacion, 10. 4 416 53 58.

    Restaurants

  • Agape. /Hernani, 13. 4 416 05 06.

  • Antzokia. an Vincente 2. ttp://www.kafeantzokia.com. enu del dia: €11.5 (two dishes+desert); VAT included.. Creative non-touristic cuisine in an untraditional setting of a large theater hall and its stage. Full of local knowledge workers. Great value-for-money ''menu del dia''. Very prompt service.

  • Casa Vasca. / Lehendakari Aguirre, 13/15 (Deusto). 4 448 39 80. traditional Basque cuisine

  • Guggenheim Museum. has a fine restaurant with a decent value set lunch menu for less than ?20 each. The restaurant is run by famous Basque chef Martin Berasategui. Make sure to book in advance, easily done before you visit the museum in the morning.

  • Harrobia. asco viejo; c/del Perro, 2. 44 134 013. modern basque cooking

  • Matxinbenta. /Ledesma 26. 4 424-8495. on-Sat 8:00am-11:30pm. Basque food, specialities include fresh tuna in piquant tomato sauce and piperada. Reservations required.

  • ogeitamairu. /Bailen 33.

  • Zortziko. /Alameda de Mazarredo 17. 944)23-97-43; (944)23-63-96. ue-Sat 9am-11:30pm. Traditional Basque dishes such as pigeon breast or marinated sea bass. Formal environment with late Victorian style furnishing, frequently booked days in advance. Ask about reservations to dine in the wine cellar.

    Drink

  • '''Cafe Nervion''' wonderful views of the river: c/La Naja 7.
  • '''Lamiak''', comfortable coffee house, with chocolate cake to die for: c/De la Pelota (Casco Viejo)
  • Three spectacularly decorated bars (which are owned by the same people) are:
  • #'''Cafe Iruna'''. With its Arabesque motifs and antique mouldings it is a sight to behold. If you go at night, you can also get some nice shikabobs - some of the only ones you'll find in Bilbao. #'''Cafe La Granja''' in Plaza Circular, across from the BBVA tower. #'''Cafe Boulevard''' on the Arrenal, across from Teatro Arriaga.
  • '''Bar Juantxu'''. c/ Licenciado Poza, 39.
  • '''Dakar'''. c/ Heros, 13 tel. 94-424-9756 nightly karaoke and Spanish dance music.
  • '''Galeon''' Alda. Mazarredo, 25, 94-423-1462 Maritime motif a mermaid statue at the entrance and decoratoion resembleing the inside of a ship.
  • '''Gran Casino Nervion''' c/ Navarra, 1 tel. 94-424-0007 Two bars, on-site restaurant. Formal/semi-formal dress required.
  • '''La Mutua''' c/Ercilla, 2 tel. 94-423-1154 Serving breakfast during the day, and reopening at 11:30pm for the night.
  • '''Otxoa''' c/Lersundi, 8 tel. 94-424-1848
  • Sleep

    Budget

  • '''Albergue Bilbao''' [http://albergue.bilbao.net/]. Ctra Basurto-Kastrexana, 70 tel. 94 427 0057 a youth hostel with 48 rooms (22 double rooms). A bit of a journey away from the center, but connected by bus.
  • There are many inexpensive Pensions in the Casco Viejo
  • Mid-range

  • '''NH Palacio de Oriol''' [http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/spain/bilbao/nh-palacio-de-oriol.html]. Avda. Cristobal Murrieta, 27, 48980 Santurce, Bilbao, Tel. +34 94 4934100, Fax. +34 94 4837890. Located in a brilliant location, overlooking the Abra Bay, the hotel occupies a palace built in 1902. If this is out of your price-range, or full, there are two other NH hotels in Bilbao [http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/spain/bilbao.html].
  • Splurge

  • '''Carlton'''. Plaza Moyua, 2 five stars tel 94 416 2200
  • '''Sheraton Bilbao'''. Lehendakari Leizaola, 29 five stars tel. 94 428 0000
  • '''Miro Hotel'''. Alameda Mazarredo, 77 four stars tel. 94 661 1880
  • '''Barcelo Nervion'''. Campo Volantin, 11 tel. 94 445 4700
  • '''Conde Duque'''. Campo Volatin, 22 three stars tel. 94 445 6000
  • In Bilbao you can have a pleasant stay at the Abba Hoteles [http://www.abbaparquehotel.com], that here are particularly cheap compared the offered service. Indeed this is a chain of 4* hotels, and here you can find a quite rare 3* abba hotel. It's quite near the Bus Terminal, very near to the metro and quite near to the Guggheneim museum. It' in C/ Rodriguez Arias, 66 - 48013 Bilbao (Tlf. +34 944 41 31 00 - Fax. +34 944 42 21 97). Expensive breakfast.

    Stay Safe

    In recent years Bilbao has seen a rise in the level of violent crime, including murder, assault, robbery and knife attacks. News coverage of these incidents, plus the potential threat of ETA terrorism, makes some think that Bilbao is unsafe for travellers.

    But this must be put in context. The vast majority of visitors to Bilbao will not become crime victims. Unlike several other cities in Spain, overall crime levels are decreasing. As anywhere, common sense will get you a long way. During the day the city is safe, although at night the center can be a bit rowdy. Weekends can see drink-fuelled fights, so don't drink so much that you lose self-control, and steer clear of obvious trouble. Some streets near the railway station are probably best avoided.

    Statistically, Bilbao is safer than Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Sevilla, Alicante, Valencia and some other Spanish cities. The council takes a tough approach against crime. More officers have been pulled out into the streets and unsafe areas of the city like San Francisco (not a travel destination) are patrolled regularly.

    Most locals don't speak English, except for the younger generation. However, the Basque police are quite helpful should any issues arise.

    If you travel to any of the suburbs, nearby towns or rural areas, this is normally quite safe. But note that typically the more rural the area, the higher the support for Basque independence. Therefore exercise extreme caution if speaking about politics.

    Get out

    Vizcayan Towns

  • Balmaseda Charming town an hour from Bilbao
  • Guernica - Gernika -- Basque stronghold town, bombed by the Nazis during the Spanish Civil War. Inspired ''Guernica'' by Picasso in the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid.
  • Sopelana Town near the beach.
  • Portugalete Take the Transporter Bridge from Getxo to this charming town.
  • Plentzia Another town near the beach.
  • Getxo Very nice walk along the coast, from the bridge to Sopelana. More than 10 km long.
  • San Juan de Gaztelugatxe -- Small chapel situated on a breathtaking island between Bilbao and Bermeo.
  • Cities in other provinces

  • San Sebastian -- Beautiful resort with bar counters full of tasty Pintxos (Tapas)
  • Santander -- Resort City