Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque region, is located on the banks of the Nervión River. Bilbao’s earliest settlement was built on the land within one of the river’s loops, so that the water acted as a protective mechanism, enclosing the town on three sides.
Although Bilbao was established around 1300, it has surprisingly few historical buildings. Those that it does have are concentrated in the intriguing old town, the Casco Viejo, which is connected to the much larger modern section on the opposite river bank by four bridges. The entire historical area has been declared a national landmark and is reserved for pedestrians, making it a peaceful and relaxing place to take a stroll.
The most important church in the old quarter is Iglesia de San Nicolás. From here, it’s a short walk to the Basilica de Begoña, dating from the 16th century. Inside the basilica is a brightly illuminated depiction of the Virgin Mary, who is the patron saint of the province. On Sundays, the old town is host to a daytime flea market.
The Casco Viejo is also a wonderful place to eat and drink, with a range of atmospheric bars and restaurants available. It’s customary to go from one bar to another in the evenings, sampling small glasses of beer or wine, the latter being known as a ‘chiquiteo’.
In the new part of town, the most enticing attraction is the modern structure of the Guggenheim Museum, which is entirely devoted to modern art. Its curving, metallic walls have made it one of the most talked about architectural structures of the last 10 years.
An attraction located close to Bilbao, at Portugalete, is the intriguing 19th century Hanging Bridge. Here, a gondola suspended from crossbeams between the towers at either end transports visitors back and forth across the bridge.
A network of highways converges in Bilbao, making the city the centre of the Atlantic arc. The A8 takes you to the French road network, the A7 goes to the Mediterranean and the A68 heads to Barcelona. Trains and buses connect Bilbao with other parts of Spain and some destinations in the rest of Europe. Bilbao’s airport services domestic flights and international flights to and from Brussels, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hannover, Lisbon, Milan, Porto and Paris.
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