The 6 best Hotels with charm in Bilbao

About Bilbao

The city of Bilbao was primarily known as an industrial town, that managed to reinvent itself thanks to the work of architects such as Foster, Gehry or Calatrava, becoming a prosperous and welcoming capital, where you breathe art. Located on the bend of the river Nervión and surrounded by green mountains, Bilbao awaits you with open arms to discover the new and modern face of the city.

Moving around

The city is connected with a modern public transport system that also connects to other towns that surround it. Commuter trains are perfect for visiting the nearby cities and the bus service is very complete and easy to use. The metro was designed by Norman Foster. It is easy to recognize the entrances, called fosteritos, small domes of glass and steel. There is also the most environmentally friendly option of the tram but their network is more limited. Anyway, one of the biggest advantages of Bilbao is that, being relatively small, it is possible to reach the different tourist attraction by walking.

Out & About

The city of Bilbao can be divided into various areas of interest: the medieval Old Town, the modern Old Town, the Ensanche or the area of Gran Via, among others. You'll have to walk into the alleys of the old town to admire its beautiful old mansions and other landmarks as the Plaza Nueva and the Gothic Cathedral. You also can't miss the magnificent Guggenheim Museum by Frank Gehry: it's worth a visit both for the beauty of its building and the collections of art it houses. Los Arcos de la Ribera mark the boundaries of the medieval old town where you can visit the Puente de la Merced and the church that holds the same name that has now become the headquarters of Bilborock and serves as theater and music room. The Mercado de la Ribera presents a magnificent architecture and beautiful stained glass windows. The Iglesia de San Antón, along the bridge, is part of the coat of arms of Bilbao. This church was built on the ruins of the old fortress of the city. Plaza de Unamuno is one of the most famous squares in the Old Town. The Arenal of Bilbao is one of the most characteristic promenades of the city. The Arriaga Theatre is towering over this area, with its impressive building. It is a symbol of the city. If you venture through the Siete Calles, the oldest of the old town, you'll come to the Cathedral of Santiago, dedicated to the Apostle, patron of the city. You'll also find the beautiful City Hall the Station of Atxuri or the birthplace of Unamuno. The Plaza Nueva is one of the most emblematic places of the city and the recall other squares of Spanish cities. The Etxebarria Park takes the place of an old metallurgic factory, of which only remains an old chimney. It is worth visiting the area of Pozas especially when the Athletic, the city team, is playing in the San Mames stadium. The atmosphere is unbeatable. Other interesting touristic attractions are the Puerto Viejo or the funicular Artxanda. Even if the city itself has no beach, close by you'll find nice coast towns that will allow you to take a dip or a stroll along the shore.

What's going on in

Basque tapas, called pintxos are famous and every year the city of Bilbao organizes a contest between many of the bars and restaurants in the city. On December 21, Saint Thomas, Bilbao shows all the traditional products of the earth, which you will taste while drinking a great magnificent txakoli in a most great party atmosphere. The celebrations of the city, known as the Aste Nagusia, are held in August and begin with the Txupinazo. During the "big week" fireworks are a must as well as concerts and various events. Music lovers should not miss the annual meeting of the BBKLive that collects the most important music groups of the moment.

Shopping

The Old Town area of the city is one of the main shopping districts where you can combine historical interest with shopping in more than 800 stores. Taking a stroll in this area it's very delightful since it's an area for pedestrians only. In the center of the city, you can find stores and shops of the major international firms.

What's cooking?

In Bilbao there is a great tradition of txikiteo which involves drinking txikitos (small glasses of beer or wine) accompanied by the typical pintxos Basques. They come in all shapes and with many ingredients. A real treat! Throughout the old town and the neighbourhood of the Siete Calles, you'll find bars and restaurants to enjoy the exquisite Basque cuisine. Do not miss the tasty wine txakoli. Bilbao is known as the Capital of the Cod so you can not leave without trying either the pil pil or the cod a la vizcaína.

Weather

The weather in Bilbao is mild most of the year, even if in the winter the average temperature drops down enough. The best time to visit is during the summer, which is not too hot, since in spring and autumn, when the temperature is pleasant, it rains a lot.

Practical information

The BilbaoCard you can enjoy discounts on public transportation and at the entrance to museums, restaurants, entertainment and other services. As in the rest of the region, the Euskera and Spanish are the official languages, that coexist.

So...

Climb up the Mount Artxanda to see the panoramic view of this cosmopolitan city that opens its doors for you to feel like a new citizen of Bilbao.