Bilbao: 13 Enjoyable Things to Do for a Wonderful Vacation

Bilbao is one of the famous cities in Spain. It is the largest city in the north of the country and is surrounded by a small mountain range with an average height of 400 meters. Bilbao has rural areas and 14 km away, beaches where you can relax in the summer.

Bilbao includes the famous Guggenheim Museum, one of several museums bearing the same name around the world. This is an advantage in the city, combining beaches, shopping, and art.

Diego Lopez V. founded Bilbao in the 14th century and was famous as the country’s most important commercial centre. In the 19th century, Bilbao became one of Spain’s most important industrial centres after Barcelona, and now it is a centre for many services and tourism.

Weather in Bilbao

Bilbao’s climate is similar to that of the oceanic regions. It rains throughout the year, and the winter is cold. The summer average temperature is between 25 and 26 degrees, and the average temperature in the winter reaches 6 and 7 degrees.

Things to do in Bilbao

Tourism in Bilbao City began to be popular with the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in 1997, and with its opening, the number of tourists visiting the city increased. Many different hotels are located in the city, restaurants that serve famous Spanish dishes, and gift shops spread all over the city.

Bilbao is famous for having undergone a major and civilized change in its buildings, and you can see that in many of them.

In the city, you will find about 17 bridges extending over the banks of the river. There are also 18 public gardens and parks, like Dona Casilida Park. In addition to all these, some museums are widely spread within the city, and they have reached 12 museums that cover many fields, such as arts, sports, and science.

We will learn about Bilbao attractions and things you can do in this beautiful city in the coming part, so let us start our exciting journey.

Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim Museum is the most famous attraction in Bilbao. The building was built in the 20th century between 1993 and 1997 by the architect Frank Gehry and is a lovely work of art.

When you enter the building, which is 24000 square meters, you will see paintings displayed along the walls along three-level staircases. You will also see large windows that allow the light in, and you can see the beautiful art inside 20 galleries.

The exhibitions include Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, Francesco Clemente, Jim Dine, and more artworks. The most famous pieces are the 9-meter-tall spider sculpture Mama y Louise Bourgeois and A Dog Full of Flower Blossoms by Jeff Knoos.

The Old Town

The Old Town is located on the right bank of the river between the Church of San Nicolas and San Anton Bridge. It contains seven streets: Somera, Artecalle, Belosticalle, Carnicería Vieja, Barrencalle, Belosticalle, Barrencalle Barena, and Tendería.

On the north side of the old town, you will find the main fairway of this part of Bilbao. Near there, you can visit many other attractions, like Teatro Arriaga, a Neo-Baroque theatre built in 1890. You can enjoy a lovely night’s music concerts, dance performances, and opera performances there.

Also in the Old Town you will see another attraction which is the church St. Nicolas, it has a beautiful Baroque façade and well-designed interior and it was built in the 14th century.

The Bridges of Bilbao

Bilbao is famous for its bridges. One of these bridges is the La Salve Bridge, which gives you a fantastic view of Bilbao and is located next to the Guggenheim Museum. The bridge was designed by French artist Daniel Buren and built in honour of the Guggenheim’s 10th anniversary.

Vizcaya Bridge, located in the north part of the city, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in 1893 and was the first bridge to use a combination of steel cables and iron.

Another bridge in the city is the Zubizuri Bridge, which provides access to an area where people like to walk. The bridge features a glass deck and is one of the city icons. 

Cathedral de Santiago

Cathedral de Santiago is one of Bilbao city’s most beautiful tourist attractions. It is in an old town that dates back to the 15th century.

When you enter the cathedral, you will see its lovely interior design. It has three naves, the central one 22 meters in height. The interior is full of artistic highlights, and there is a cloister that features beautiful Gothic details.

Fine Arts Museum

The Fine Arts Museum consists of two buildings that display many collections by European masters from the 14th to 17th centuries. It includes Dutch and Flemish paintings from the 15th to 17th centuries and Spanish paintings from the 14th to 15th centuries.

Besides that, you will see Italian and French paintings from the 16th to 19th centuries, and all these collections are related to famous artists throughout the centuries.

Bizkaia Archaeological Museum

Bizkaia Archaeological Museum, located in the old town, was opened in 2008. It allows tourists to discover ancient history and learn more about it. 

The museum shows the evolution of Basque culture from the prehistoric era to the present. The exhibits display archaeological pieces, such as pottery and ceramics, and the remains of prehistoric animals.

Dona Casilda Park

Dona Casilda Park is the perfect place to relax with family and friends. It is full of leafy palm trees and lovely, colourful flowers. It is landscaped in the Romantic style and surrounded by neoclassical statues and fountains.

When you are at the park, you will find pathways to walk on and benches to sit on and enjoy the green spaces surrounding you. There is also a lake full of dukes and a place for rowing boats. There are botanical gardens and an outdoor theatre.

Plaza Nueva

Plaza Nueva is a neoclassical square in the old town, built in the 19th century. It is surrounded by a beautifully designed building with restaurants, cafes, and outdoor seating.

The square is lovely to spend time with friends, meet locals, and try Pintxos. Pintxos are a Basque version of tapas, bite-sized appetizers served on toothpicks. 

Basilica de Begona

Basilica de Begona is located on Begona Hill above the old city. Construction of the church dates back to the 16th century. The easiest way to get here is by taking the elevator from behind the Church of San Nicholas.

The church was built in the 16th century and is home to an important pilgrimage church. The cathedral includes an image of the Virgin of Begona and a fantastic painting of The Pilgrimage of Begona. You can enjoy and take lovely pictures in this magnificent place.

Ribera Market 

Ribera Market is a great place to visit and experience the daily life of people in Bilbao. This market was built in 1929 in the heart of the old town.

 This market is considered the largest indoor market in Europe, with an area of 10,000 square meters. Its building is characterized by eclectic architecture. This market is the best place to find high-quality Basque, fresh vegetables, and fruits.

 Arriaga Theater

Arriaga Theater is located in Arriaga Square. It is one of the distinguished theatres with fantastic classical architectural views. It was designed like the Opera Theater in Paris and was the first theatre to use electric lights in Europe. The Arriaga Theater offers many artistic performances and shows daily, including opera and ballet performances. It is an excellent place for art and opera lovers.

Euskalduna Music and Conference Hall

Euakalduna Music and Conference Hall is one of the essential architectural buildings in Spain. It was built in 1999 and designed to resemble the last vessel built at the Euskalduna shipyard.

The building, which covers 53000 square feet, attracts many tourists and even locals who come to see performances, such as ballet and opera. The hall is considered the most significant stage in Spain and the second largest in Europe.

Funicular de Artxanda and Mount Artxanda

The Artxanda Funicular is a cable car that opened in 1915. It takes you through the hillside of the Arangoiti neighborhood in 3 minutes until you reach the top of Mount Artxanda. When you reach the top, you will see a beautiful view of Bilbao city, and you can also have a great walk there and watch the sunset.