What to see, what to do in Bilbao: top 10 must-see activities

To walk around Bilbao is to travel between the past and the future in an instant. Just cross the sublime Zubizuri Bridge to move from the buildings with contemporary architecture to the charming alleys of the old town, where you can stroll with pleasure in search of a souvenir to bring back.

To discover

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A city of contrasts where everything is lived with passion, Bilbao is undoubtedly one of the jewels of Spain, in the heart of the Basque Country.

Read alsoTop 10 of the most beautiful cities in Spain to see absolutely

Discover the unmissable Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim Museum is the symbol of Bilbao's urban transformation. Saiko3P

In the centre of Bilbao, stroll along the left bank of the Nervión River, where the impressive Guggenheim Museum stands, a symbol of the city's urban transformation.

You can visit its 20 galleries dedicated to contemporary art and stroll through its surroundings dotted with parks and squares where you can admire works by artists such as Jeff Koons, Louise Bourgeois, Eduardo Chillida, Yves Klein and Fujiko Nakaya.

GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM PRIVATE TOUR

Visit the Cathedral Santiago de Bilbao

The Cathedral of Santiago is located in the heart of the old town. Giuseppe Mascigiumas

We cross one of the many bridges spanning the river to reach the right bank where the Cathedral of Santiago is located, in the heart of the old town. Built between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries in a remarkable Gothic style, it is dedicated to the apostle St. James, official patron of the city since 1643.

Explore its interiors, filled with religious art, stained glass windows and sculptures, and admire one of the most important collections of silver religious objects in Spain.

TAKE A FREE TOUR IN BILBAO

Walk the alleys of the Mercado de la Ribera

The Ribera market is one of the largest covered markets in Europe. IVÁN VIEITO GARCÍA

A few steps from the cathedral, on the banks of the Nervión, you can discover the typical food products of the Basque Country at the Ribera market, one of the largest covered markets in Europe.

Built in 1929 in an Art Deco style, its stalls decorated with meat, vegetables, fruits and cheeses share the space with bars and restaurants where you can enjoy pintxos over a glass of wine.

TAKE A PRIVATE TOUR OF BILBAO

Walking through the "7 streets", Las Siete Calles

During your walk, take the time to admire the picturesque facades of the houses. Brad Pict

Leaving the market, you can enjoy walking through the seven streets that make up the Casco Viejo, the medieval old town of Bilbao. Stroll through Plaza Nueva, admire the picturesque facades of the houses, immortalize yourself in front of the neoclassical fountain on Perro Street and soak up the friendly atmosphere of the tapas bars.

BOOK A PINTXOS TASTING

Attend a show at the Arriaga Antzokia Theatre

The Arriaga Theatre is inspired by the Paris Opera. Saiko3P

Take advantage of the discovery of the old town to attend a show at the Arriaga Theater. Inspired by the Paris Opera, it takes its name from one of Bilbao's most famous composers, Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga, whose talent earned him the nickname of Spanish Mozart. This jewel of the performing arts can accommodate up to 1200 people on performance nights.

TAKE A GUIDED BIKE TOUR

Admire the works of the Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts in Bilbao houses more than 10,000 works of art from different eras and styles. Yakov FilimonovJackF

On the other side of the Nervión, we take the time to visit the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the largest in Spain. Born from the merger of two museums in 1945, it houses more than 10,000 works of art from different eras and styles. Its collections include sculptures, paintings, decorative pieces and various works of art, some of which date back to the twelfth century.

TAKE A GUIDED STREET ART TOUR

Walking in Dona Casilda Iturrizar Park

Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park is the green lung of Bilbao. Richard Villalon

Adjacent to the museum, Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park is the green lung of Bilbao. We stroll through lush vegetation, composed of more than 1,500 species of trees and plants, and sit on the terrace of a café to admire swans, geese and ducks. There are also children's playgrounds and a stage for concerts in summer.

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Fill up on culture at the Alhondiga

This former wine warehouse has been remodeled by Philippe Stark to make it a place of leisure and culture. Francisco Javier Gil

A few blocks from the park, you can admire the avant-garde architecture of La Alhóndiga. This former wine warehouse has been remodeled by Philippe Stark to make it a place of leisure and culture, with galleries, cinemas, restaurants ...

Among the most notable spaces are the Atrio de las Culturas, a large square with 43 columns of different styles, and the Terraza del Sol, with a swimming pool with a transparent bottom.

FREE TOUR IN MODERN BILBAO

Watch a match at San Mamés Stadium

The San Mamés stadium, nicknamed the "cathedral", is the stronghold of the iconic football club: Athletic Bilbao. Chejo fotografia

It only takes a few minutes' walk to the San Mamés stadium, home of the city's iconic football club, Athletic Bilbao. Nicknamed the Cathedral, it welcomes 53,000 fans who come to cheer on their team, composed exclusively of Basque players, in an atmosphere that is among the most beautiful in Europe. Before taking a seat in the spans of the stadium, we visit the museum of the club founded in 1898 to admire the trophy room.

VISIT TO THE SAN MAMÉS STADIUM AND MUSEUM

Taking to the heights at Mount Artxanda

View of Bilbao from Mount Artxanda. Andrew Babble

Back to the right bank of the river, where you can climb to the top of Mount Artxanda, one of the most emblematic places in Bilbao, on foot or by funicular. From the viewpoint, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city before settling into a restaurant to enjoy the delights of the Basque Country in front of a striking panorama.

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