Bilbao walking tour & city guide

The Guggenheim and the riverfront

Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, a swirling mass of titanium, glass and stone on the banks of the Nervión River, is one of the most celebrated buildings of the late 20th century. Outside, Jeff Koons' 'Puppy', a giant dog covered in flowers, and Louise Bourgeois' spider sculpture 'Maman' greet visitors.

A riverside promenade connects the museum with the city center, passing modern bridges like Calatrava's white Zubizuri footbridge. The Artxanda funicular climbs to a viewpoint over the city.

Casco Viejo

Across the river, the Casco Viejo, the old town, is built around the 'Seven Streets', the original medieval core. Its narrow lanes and the arcaded Plaza Nueva are packed with pintxo bars, where counters overflow with small, creative bites. The Santiago Cathedral and the Mercado de la Ribera, a huge covered market by the river, are nearby.

The Ensanche, the 19th-century extension, has elegant avenues such as Gran Vía and the Azkuna Zentroa cultural center, a former wine warehouse redesigned by Philippe Starck.

Visiting tips

Bilbao has a mild but rainy climate, so pack an umbrella. San Sebastián is about an hour away by bus, and the coastal path to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a hermitage on a rocky islet, is a spectacular day trip. Athletic Bilbao, the local football club, is a source of enormous local pride.