hotels in Bilbao

Museums in Bilbao

• Bellas artes: Contemporary and Impressionist Art. Guggenheim: Modern Art. Museo marítimo (Titanic exhibition). Ethnologic Museum. 

Exhibitions / Art galeries Bilbao

• BBK (Gallery): multifunctional cultural and social centre. BBVA Foundation (drawings and sculpture of the Fabré Museum of Montpellier). Bilbao Exhibition Centre: trade fairs. Euskalduna congress palace. 

Cultural activities in Bilbao

• Typical “tapas” (pintxos). Bull fighting. During the "Semana Grande of Bilbao" (third week in August). 

Historic monuments in Bilbao

• Mercado de la Ribera: One of the biggest covered markets in Europe, built in 1929 on the site of the original Rivera Street market and fish and meat are sold every morning, except Sundays  
• Plaza Nueva: Was the seat of the Diputación de Vizcaya until July 1900 when the Diputación moved to its new home on the Gran Vía, the Academy of the Basque Language (Euskaltzaindia) currently occupies the old Diputación building in the Plaza Nueva  
• Palacio de la Diputación: Ornately decorated palace situated on the Grand Vía, it is a Baroque-style monument designed by Luis Aladrén in 1897 to serve as the seat of the Diputación Foral de Bizkaia (Vizcaya) and inaugurated on July 31, 1900  
• 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  
• Zubizuri: A graceful white pedestrian bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava, it spans the Nervión connecting the riverwalks Campo Volatin and Mazarredo  
• Palacio de Olábarri: An interesting mix of several architectural styles, in the late 19th century it was the residence of Bilbaino entrepreneur José María de Olábarri but is now the seat of Bilbao's port authority 

Day trip

• 1_San Sebastián, 100 Km away: Bahía de la Concha. The famous “pinchos”, island of Santa Clara, the port, the old part, Miramar Palace, and the aquarium. Museum of Chillida Leku, modern art.
• 2_Santander: 100 Km away. Bahía de Santander with La Magdalena Palace, and the Bay of Santander.
• 3_Vizkaia coast: Many old villages are close by for example: San Juan de Gazelugatxe, Lekeitio, Bermeo, etc.
• 4_La Rioja, 150 Km away: With many famous wine cellars and castles.
• 5_Biarritz/Francia: 150 Km away. With the famous Bay of Biarritz, the grand casino and the aquarium.

Group activities

• 1_Rowing and canoeing beginners courses: Travel down the Gernika estuary by canoe.
• 2_Golf: 3 Golf courses: Artxanda, La Galea and La Arboleda.
• 3_Surf: Surf at Mundaka beach. Surfing courses, equipement rental.
• 4_Guided tours: The Medieval old town. The more recent part of the old town. Discovering El Ensanche. Along la Gran Vía. Through El Ensanche to Indautxu. Along the bank of the river. Bilbao in the 21st century among bridges and museums.