Living in Bilbao: 5 routes through the city

Bilbao is a city located in the north of Spain, belonging to Vizcaya, a province of the autonomous community of the Basque Country. It is a city that is bathed by the Cantabrian Sea, whose climate is temperate, which means that in summer it is not usually very hot and in winter the temperatures do not drop as much as in other regions of Spain. The city of Bilbao is one of the favourite cities to live in and visit, as its mountainous environment means that it always maintains that characteristic green colour of the north, which is why today we are going to show you which are the 5 perfect routes through the city that you cannot miss when living in Bilbao, to enjoy it to the fullest and appreciate its beauty.

Visit the Guggenheim Museum

Rarely does a building have such a transformative effect on a city as the Guggenheim Museum did. It is not just a museum, but a number of architectural and urban planning initiatives that changed Bilbao.

When you visit the spectacular museum you can see that every corner is special, both inside and out, because it is a building without right angles, covered with titanium plates that is similar to a ship when seen from the ground and a rose when seen from the sky. Simply magical and amazing. This is a must-see when living in Bilbao, its beauty is unparalleled.

Stroll through the streets of Casco Viejo

Another great experience in the city is to stroll through the streets of Casco Viejo, one of the best things to see in Bilbao, and where most of the city’s attractions and tourist attractions are concentrated.

This is the oldest neighbourhood in Bilbao, and contains 7 streets that make it up where you can see the best places to visit in the city, and where you can enjoy the famous pintxos.

The places you can visit while strolling and walking through the streets of the old quarter are:

• Arriaga Theatre
• La Ribera Market
• Church of San Antón
• Bilbao Cathedral
• Plaza Nueva Square
• Miguel de Unamuno Square

Have a pintxo in the Plaza Nueva

Pintxos fill the bars of Bilbao with colour and can be found in traditional bars or in modern restaurants, inviting tourists to explore each space in search of the best.

For this reason, living in Bilbao is always an opportunity to enjoy one of the most pleasant gastronomic customs of the city. E specially in the 7 streets and in the Plaza Nueva, where there are many traditional bars that are a reference when it comes to tasting the best pintxos such as rabas or bacalao al pilpil (cod in pilpil sauce).

In the case of the Plaza Nueva, there are emblematic places, such as Gure Toki, a bar that has been around practically all its life where they have been modernising the pintxos. Turning them into an authentic delight. That’s why they won the award for best pintxo bar in 2016.

Come to the Ribera market

The Ribera market is one of the places you can visit while strolling through the old town, located on one of its sides next to the estuary. It is the largest covered market in Europe and one of Spain’s leading commercial centres.

It is located in the old Plaza Mayor of Bilbao, the same place where a market began to be held in the 14th century. And by the 19th century it was already a covered market with a modernist style where all kinds of products were sold. But in 2010 its appearance changed when it underwent a refurbishment due to structural faults, but it still maintains its spirit and grandeur.

Walk along the Bilbao estuary

The area of the Bilbao Estuary begins in the town of Basauri, where the rivers Nervión and Ibaizabal meet. To begin the tour along the estuary, we recommend starting from the old quarter. Where you will find the beginnings of the city with more than 700 years of history.

Once there, you can visit the Plaza Nueva, the cathedral and the basilica of Begoña, with access to the city’s bars and restaurants. Once you have passed the area on the left-hand side, you can cross over to discover new places, such as the town hall.

Walking along the estuary is a magical experience. As it offers beautiful locations, structures and landscapes that do not go unnoticed, so it should be an obligatory route for those who live in and visit Bilbao.