City holidays in Bilbao

Bilbao is the largest and most energetic city in the Basque Country of Spain. Lying on Rio Nervion, it nestles in the lush surrounding hillsides of Vizcaya province. Another river, Rio Bilbao runs straight through the city and out into the sea. Bilbao holidays reap the rewards of the successful modernisation attempts of the 1990s, making Bilbao a sleek and exciting city destination.

Explore Basque culture with Bilbao holidays

Over its history, Bilbao has expanded to include several nearby communities that were once separate, giving each part of the city a different atmosphere. Glimpses of the green of the surrounding countryside are almost always visible from the city, making it feel like a much smaller, more intimate city than it really is.

Holidays in Bilbao wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the city’s Museo Guggenheim, affectionately known as ‘el Goog’ by residents. Designed by Frank Gehry, it houses works by a mind-boggling roll call of contemporary artists including Kandinsky, Klee, Mondrian, Picasso, Cézanne and Chagall while Louise Bourgeois’ giant spider sculpture ‘Maman’ stands guard next to the river outside.

Another must-see location is the Casco Viejo on the east bank of the river, a labyrinth of stone lanes housing several of the city’s main tourist attractions including the stunning Euskal Museoa Bilbao. The Museum is inside what used to be the Colegio de San Andrés, famous for its beautiful cloister. The Museum celebrates Basque culture, archeology and history, and is an essential place to visit for any understanding of this unique region. The lovely Art Nouveau building housing the Mercado de la Ribera is also nearby, offering incredible fresh local produce and seafood.

It’s easy to get out and about on Bilbao holidays, and a favourite route for local people is simply to walk to the west from Casco Viejo along the banks of the Rio Nervion. Not far along this route is another reminder of the city’s modernisation, the beautiful Puente Zubizuri. A bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava, it is reminiscent of an enormous white sail as it spans the river in a huge, stunning curve.

Bilbao is renowned for boasting some of the best places to eat and drink in all of Spain. The Basque cuisine is delicious and local restauranteurs are particularly proud of their culinary heritage. The nightlife in Bilbao is vibrant and it’s just as possible to party the whole night away as it is to spend a relaxing evening in a friendly bar or restaurant.

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With unique history and culture and a bustling city centre, holidays in Bilbao offer something for everyone. Booking with lastminute.com makes Spain holidays simple, flexible and affordable.