Discover the best things to do in Bilbao with this list full of insider information that I have gathered for you about the classics of the city, its shops, markets, restaurants, bars and original activities. Lots of tips to get you going and just enjoy.
CLASSICS
1-. Lose yourself by the Old Town, colloquially called “The Seven Streets”
2-. Visit the Guggenheim or at least admire it from the outside.
3-. Choose your favorite column from the Alhóndiga (now Azkuna Zentroa).
4-. Breathe some fresh air in the park called Casilda Iturrizar, one of the most beautiful green lungs of the city.
5-. Come to one of the exhibitions of the Fine Arts Museum. Free entrance is on Wednesdays in the mornings and on Sundays in the evenings.
6-. Know the history of a port city like Bilbao in its maritime museum.
7-. Very near there is the crane of La Carola, take a photo, it refers to the industrial past of the city. Do you know it was called in honor of a very pretty woman who used to pass by while the workpeople were working?
8-. If you have the opportunity to see some theater or concert in the Teatro Arriaga, go!
9-. Cross the Zubizuri bridge and look at the Isozaki towers.
10-. Take a boat trip to see the city from another perspective.
11-. Cross Gran Vía at the giant roundabout of Moyua and just sit and watch: it is one of the favorite meeting places in Bilbao.
12-. Admire the Iberdrola tower, the highest skyscraper of the Basque Country with 165 meters.
13-. Stroll through the Ribera Market stalls, which appeared in the Guiness book as the most complete market of supplies in the 1990s.
14-. If you are a footballer you can not miss a visit to the new stadium of San Mames, the temple of Athletic Bilbao.
15-. The square of Miguel de Unamuno is another nerve center that you should not miss.
16-. Drink water from the historic dog fountain of the Casco Viejo (Old Town).
17-. Get into the Bidebarrieta Library and discover the architectural jewel that is hidden inside.
18-. Get into one of the best subways in the world. Its design, cleanliness and simplicity have been praised in countless occasions.
19-. Salute Don Diego Lope de Haro, founder of the town of Bilbao, in the circular square.
20-. Explore the interior of Santiago Cathedral until you find your little (and beautiful!) gothic cloister.
21-. Go up to Pagasarri mountain and feel like an authentic “bilbaino”.
MY FAVORITES
22-. Go to Artxanda and take picture of one of the most beautiful views of the city.
23-. Come on a Sunday morning to the Arenal and enjoy its Sundays flower market.
24-. My favorite area of the city is in Bilbao La Vieja: there you will find the most fashionable places.
25-. If you are approaching to Bilbao on sunday, go to Coppola and enjoy one of their Sunday afternoon concerts while you eat one of the best pizzas in town.
26-. Rent a bicycle and walk bordering the river from side to side.
27-. If you are going to stay for a couple of days and you want to move by bike, the city council rents them for € 25 per year!
28-. Stroll through the colorful houses of Irala and feel yourself in San Francisco (California): our own Painted Ladies!
29-. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and take a break in the Chill Out of Zorrozaurre.
30-. Rent a paddle surf board, put on the swimsuit (or the neoprene!) and dive into the estuary.
31-. Take an idyllic photo-postcard of Bilbao on the San Antón bridge. It seems that time has not passed.
32-. Be aware of what is cooked through the San Francisco neighborhood thanks to Sarean’s agenda. And by the way, try its kitchen! One of my favorite restaurants without a doubt.
33-. Treat yourself and have a nice drink on the terrace of the Yandiolas terrace.
34-. Bilbao or Norway? Take a walk in Olabeaga and you will feel in the Nordic country for a few minutes.
35-. Grab a book and go clear your mind to the Europa Park.
36-. Recharge the batteries in the “Mediateka» of Alhóndiga cultural centre.
37-. Meet the beauty of Casa Montero, our own Casa Gaudí.
38-. The mural art has a super strong presence in Bilbao: choose your favorite graffiti 🙂
39-. Prepare a picnic and eat it admiring the views Etxebarria Park has to offer.
40-. Let yourself be pampered in S’Thai, an oriental massage center in the center of Bilbao which is wonderful.
41-. Enjoy with some alternative cinema in the “multis» cinema.
42-. One of my favorite spots in the whole city is the Alhondigas pool. Go and see why. And don’t worry for the swimwear, it is a passive activity you will only enjoy it with the view 🙂
ORIGINAL
43-. Get in and then try to get out of one of the many escape rooms out there.
44-. Discover the smallest pharmacy museum in the world.
45-. Admire the modernism of an old laundry in the Castaños Center.
46-. Find the star that marks the only point of the Old Town from where you can see the church of Begoña.
47-. Pursue the 25 Space invaders that are distributed by all the emblematic points of Bilbao.
48-. Greet the mysterious winged creatures of the Merced Bridge.
49-. See how the oldest house in Bilbao remains standing and be surprised at its rejuvenated appearance.
EAT AND DRINK
50-. Drink all the bottles of txakoli D.O Bizkaia you can.
51-. Get warm with a good “alubiada” stew, El Arandia de Julen is my favorite place to try it.
52-. Take some drinks in Pozas, whether there is a football match or not.
53-. How are you going to leave Bilbao without taking a butter cake? Inexcusable.
54-. Discover the best pintxos in the city and try all you can.
55-. Make a food-tour to taste the whole sample of pintxos, wines, cheeses, preserves and sweets that make Bilbao one of the best gastronomic capitals in the world.
56-. If your are wine-lover, make a tasting or buy some bottles of Rioja Alavesa and Txakoli as souvenir.
57-. If you prefer beer, we also have a good sample.
58-. In fact, you have to try La Salve, the beer of the city.
59-. Take a basque cooking class and learn how to make pintxos at home. Write us for more info.
60-. Try EME sandwich.
61-. Treat yourself and book in one of the Michelin starred restaurants.
62-. Accept the challenge of «La Tapa” bar: if you eat 1 pintxo of each variety in the bar, the bill comes free. But beware, there are over 50!
63-. Do you know that Bilbao has its own nougat? The Sokonusko, you have to try it without fail.
64-. Take a hot chocolate with churros in the Cafe del Arenal.
65-. In Bilbao the prepared vermouths are called Marianitos. And yes, you also have to try one.
66-. Try one of Baobab’s thousands of ecological teas.
67-. Eat some good rabas in the Plaza Nueva, there is no better plan for the weekend in the morning.
68-. If you are passionate about fresh oysters, go to Puertito bar and let yourself be advised.
69-. If your stomach has not exploded yet, surely you have time for a Sunday brunch. You’ll find my favorite one at the Brass27.
70-. And if your liver still allows it, get a good cocktail of Mind Shakers.
SHOPS AND MARKETS
71-. Bring an original souvenir of the city in Orriak.
72-. Buy and wear the Athletic shirt.
73-. Visit the Gure Lurreko Merkatua, the local farmer’s market on the Saturday mornings in El Arenal.
74-. Lose yourself among the many stalls at the Open Your Ganbara alternative market on Sunday mornings.
75-. If it coincides that it is the first Saturday of the month, you have an appointment with the flea market “2 de mayo” in Bilbao La Vieja.
76-. Another must-see vintage market is the Sunday Market. Find out here about the dates it is celebrated.
77-. Buy a second hand book in the Plaza Nueva on the Sunday morning market.
78-. Visit the best vinyl store in the city on Power Records.
NIGHTLIFE
79-. Book the third-fourth week of August because the Aste Nagusi is celebrated and you will want to live it to the fullest.
80-. Also note the 21 of December and join the fair of Santo Tomás dressed with the traditional basque suit.
81-. Join the Ahopeko Kontzertuak newsletter in case they celebrate any of their clandestine concerts coinciding with your stay. Until a few hours before, you will only know the day and the hour.
82-. Art after dark. One Friday a month the Guggenheim Museum opens its doors so you can see its expos while you enjoy good drinks and the best international DJ’s.
83-. Between the first and second week of July you have an appointment in Kobetamendi to attend the most cool festival in the world, BBK Live.
84-. Churchill Bilbao is full of leather chester sofas, an infinite cocktail menu and super nice waiters. You need to go and have a long drink.
85-. You can not miss the Abadía del GinTonic, a place of reference whether you are a lover of gin and tonic or not. If you like mojitos you should also mark it on the map.
BY SUBWAY
86-. Stop at Las Arenas (Getxo) or Portugalete to admire the world’s first suspension bridge, the Bizkaia Bridge, a historic heritage.
87-. Walk along the cliff walk between Getxo and Sopelana along the coast. I hope you do not have vertigo 😉
88-. Plentzia is the last stop on the right bank and if you get off you will discover a beautiful seafaring village anchored in time. Perfect for a morning walk and a few rabas.
89-. Stopping also in Plentzia you can walk to the next village, Gorliz, and climb up to its lighthouse for a small walk with breathtaking views.
90-. Discover the most special Basque drink, an underwater wine treasured at the bottom of the sea.
91-. Visit the neighborhood of Puerto Viejo de Algorta (Getxo) and get lost in the picturesque little houses of fishermen.
92-. You can also go by metro to the beach from Bilbao. My favorite is La Salvaje in Sopelana: you will have to get off at Larrabasterra.
93-. Admire the coast near Bilbao from the heights in paragliding. Several companies offer it here and it is something unique to experience.
94-. And of course ENJOY SO MUCH! And even if the options are infinite don’t get overwhelmed if you do not see / do everything. Complete the outstanding visits is the best excuse to return. We will always welcome you with open arms 🙂