I am going to Bilbao next week?

Question

I am going on a mini cruise to Bilbao (Spain) and will only be there for one day (Wed). Can you please recommend a good place to eat and some interesing things to see and do.

Are there any Goudi buildings there?

If anyone lives in Bilbao I would welcome a tour-guide.

Answer 1

You have to go and see the Gugenheim Museum - i went last year and it was absolutely fab.

Have a good time

Answer 2

I studied abroad in Bilbao for a semester in '04. You can go to the Guggenheim, but personally, I was more impressed  by the outside of the museum and "el Pupi",  the giant flower/bush puppy sculpture, and the spider sculpture near the river, than any of the art on the inside (i'm not a huge fan of [strange] modern art). The museum's restaurant has good food too. More traditional art can be found at el Museo de Bellas Artes.

You should also visit "Casco Viejo"  the old section of the city.  You'll find a bunch of different shops including H&M, as well as several bars.  I recommend stopping in Cafe Bar Bilbao for vino (or cerveza) and "pintxos"- the Basque word for "tapas". The pintxos are delicious, the waiters behind the bar are friendly, once you get their atention, and the bar is bright and full with locals and perhaps a few extranjeros.

There's also this ski-lift-type tram (it's almost like a roller coaster) that's not too far from the University of Deusto, which takes you up into the mountains for some fantastic views of the city from up high. Oh! And there's the Puente Colgante, Europe's oldest suspension bridge, which is located in Las Arenas (a "suburb" of Bilbao, easily accessible by the metro).

UPDATE: Like adamvelasco and abuela Nany said you could also go to the beaches in Getxo. My host family lived in Algorta (part of Getxo) right of the beach. Nice beaches w/ a fantastic view of the sea. In the northern part of Algorta (metro station Bidezabal, not Algorta) there's a walk trail along the coast and up the hills and this giant windmill turned restaurant. I never ate there, but it's a great sight.

Answer 3

You must go to the Guggenheim Museum, it is a must see!!!

www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/ingles/home.h...

As for places to eat, try the nearest Tapas bar, they are great.

Answer 4

I was going to give you an answer, but Sunshines is perfect...

Defintely try the Pintxos...

And the Guggenheim is great if you enjoy modern art.

I didn't really enjoy it myself..My favourite was also the flowering bush puppy outside the building.

The old town is lovely for a walk.

And the Museo de Bellas Artes for less modern art...

If you have the time, take a drive to Leioa, and see the beach there, which is quite lovely, that is one of the areas where some of the wealthier basques live... Some of the houses are architecturally very interesting.

Answer 5

Guggenheim, yes! Also, walk around the old part across the river south of the museum.

Answer 6

I would go to the same town of Getxo. It's a suburb of Bilbao, but there are awesome beaches there and really good places to eat. Definitely check out the Puente Colgante.