Tourist office: plaza Ensanche 11, http://www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/en/tourists
Bilbao is the new modern face of the Basque Country. The city has been able to successfully mix traditional Basque culture with a new vision for the future. It is an absolute must for design and culture lovers. We also love that Bilbao is surrounded by green hills and is within close proximity to the coast.
Bilbao is the beating heart of the Basque Country and its largest city. It is the most cosmopolitan of the cities in the region and is constantly evolving. Bilbao ballooned in population during industrialization and prospered through steel production, shipping, ship building and banking. However, by the 1970’s the city had developed into a gray smokestack and a serious economic crisis had arrived. A new plan was devised and Bilbao started its journey of rebirth. Old industrial complexes along the river Nervión were torn down and new projects to improve infrastructure and the overall growth of the city were started.
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-basque-country/spain/bilbao-tourism/
WHAT TO SEE
Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum is without a doubt the main attraction of Bilbao. Designed by star architect Frank Gehry, the museum opened to the public in 1997 and has since been hailed by both the public and critics as one of the most important structures of contemporary architecture. The building is wrapped in titanium panels that create what appears to be random organic curves. These panels were designed to capture light. For this reason, the building takes on a different appearance at night as the city lights reflect off it.
Casco Viejo – Old Town
The Casco Viejo of Bilbao is also locally known as “las 7 calles” in Spanish or “Zazpi Kaleak” in Basque (the seven streets), since these were the seven streets that formed the original medieval town. Today, it is still the heart of the city and probably its most colorful neighborhood. The beautiful narrow streets are mostly pedestrian-only
Arriaga Theater
The Arriaga Theater was built between 1886 and 1890 by the architect Joaquín Rucoba in neo-baroque style. At the time, it was equipped with the newest technologies and was considered one of the most important theaters of Spain. After a fire in 1914, the theater was re-inaugurated in 1919 and continued being a first-class theater for many years thereafter.
El Ensanche Neighborhood & Gran Via
The part of Bilbao called “El Ensanche” (the expansion) is comprised of the area across the river from the Casco Viejo and the Arriaga Theater. Originally an independent town called Abando, it was annexed to the city in 1870. El Ensanche is the business center and most cosmopolitan area of the city. There are lots of shops, restaurants and bars. It is also home to many of
Market La Ribera
The market of Bilbao is located southern corner of the Old Town, right next to the river. With its 10,000 m2 (107,640 sq ft), it is the largest indoor market of Europe.
This market was built in 1929 by the architect Pedro Ispizua. The art deco Market La Ribera was very modern for its time. It is characterized by its open interior space and its abundance of natural light that pours through its over-sized stained glass windows.
La Alhóndiga
The Alhóndiga is one of the city’s most iconic buildings. What was once Bilbao’s wine warehouse, is today a cultural and leisure space with a wide variety of offerings: exhibitions, concerts, lectures, cinema, children’s workshops, gym, swimming pool, library, a place to have a coffee or eat lunch, etc and etc.
Fine Arts Museum
The Bellas Artes Museum, while currently hiding in the shadow of the Guggenheim, is one of the finest museums in all of Spain. It houses an impressive collection of over 10,000 pieces of art, ranging from the 13th century to the present. The collection contains Spanish, Flemish, Italian and Dutch works in addition to an ample selection of work by local Basque artists.
Campos Eliseos Theater
From the outside, the Campos Eliseos Theater looks as though it would be better placed in southern Spain or even in a middle eastern country. However, the theater, which opened its doors in 1902, was designed by a local architect named Alfredo Acebal in cooperation with the French decorator Jean Batiste Darroguy. The prominent arch on the facade seems to be of moorish influence but upon further inspection, this exterior that was so richly decorated by Batiste, is very much art nouveau in style. Needless to say, this unique building is considered to be an important architecture reference from the Basque Country.
Zubizuri Bridge (Calatrava Bridge)
Inaugurated in 1997 and designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, this modern bridge, together with the Guggenheim Museum, became the symbol of the “new” Bilbao.
Places recommended for lunch near the Guggenheim museum
Café La Granja (plaza Circular 3)
Café Iruña (calle Berastegui 5)
Mesón Lersundi (calle Lersundi 6)
Some Hostels to sleep over in
(PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE)
| NAME | ADDRESS | PHONE | PRICE |
| Pensión Bilbaohttp://www.pensionbilbao.com | Amistad, 2 – 4 izquierda | 944 246 943 | 38-50 € |
| Hostal San Mameshttp://www.sanmames.net/ | Luis Briñas, 15 | 944 417 900 | 45-77€ |
| Hostal Zabalburuhttp://hotelzabalburu.com/ | Pedro Martínez Artola, 8 | 944 437 100 | 39-83 € |
How to get there
The best way to get to Bilbao from San Sebastián is by bus.
You should stop by the PESA Office to buy your tickets in advance or purchase your tickets online (Tickets can be purchased online up to a month before your date of travel).
–BUS COMPANY: Lurralde Bus – PESA (www.pesa.net)
–PESA BUS COMPANY Office: in PASEO FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA 1
-OFFICE SCHEDULE:
Monday to Friday open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays open from 7:10 a.m. to 08:30 p.m.
Sundays open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
–BUS STATION: in PASEO FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA 1
–SCHEDULE: http://www.pesa.net/pesa/horariosBD/ctrl_horarios.php
-PRICE (approx.): 11, 75€ and ***6,70€ with the Mugi card (One way price)
The bus takes approx. 60 minutes
***You can pay with your MUGI bus card to get to Bilbao from San Sebastián (you will obtain a discount if you use your MUGI bus card and will be charged the price corresponding to that bus line after the discount. So you must make sure you have enough money -at least 10 €- on your MUGI bus card).
-You can purchase your tickets online at http://www.pesa.net
-Tickets can be purchased up to a month before your date of travel;
-Ticket/s purchased online must be printed out and shown to the driver when getting on the bus.
Usac San Sebastian 