A moody, quirky Spanish port town with ancient streets and lively venues

When most people think of a holiday in Spain, images of crowded beaches and seaside resorts come to mind, but the moody industrial port city of Bilbao, close to the French border, offers just the opposite.

A hotspot for street artists and rockers, the city is the quirky little brother of Spain’s more sophisticated and fashionable cities, a far cry from the glitz of the Costa del Sol or the trendiness of Barcelona.

Nestled between lush mountains in the heart of the Basque Country, Bilbao’s ancient, narrow streets are filled with lively venues and cheap eateries.

It’s a popular spot, especially in the summer, due to the cooler climate compared to other regions. This makes it ideal for sightseeing, hiking and cycling in the surrounding hills, and visiting the coastline, which is good for surfing.

Marvel at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Abu Dhabi and Bilbao could not be more different in every other way, but one important similarity will soon emerge. It’s the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry. This is the ultimate must-see attraction in Bilbao and general admission costs around 12 euros ($13).

The permanent collection is astounding, featuring works by world-renowned contemporary artists, from Mark Rothko to Anish Kapoor to Jenny Holzer. There is also a series of rotating exhibitions in various spaces, with a focus on the museum’s Pop Art collection and a retrospective of Italy’s ARTE Povera pioneer Giovanni Anselmo, scheduled for the coming months. Masu.

Step outside and walk along the waterfront to get up close and personal with stunning sculptures, including works by Jeff Koons. puppya 12 meter tall West Highland Terrier made from thousands of living flowers, and Maman, A terrifying giant spider created by Louise Bourgeois.

Taste pintxos in the old town

On your Bilbao itinerary, don’t miss getting lost in Casco Viejo, a dense maze of cobbled streets and charming squares, or the Old Town.

This 700-year-old area is completely pedestrianized and lined with small delis, boutiques, a dramatic medieval church, and plenty of restaurants.

It also has classy street art and graffiti, and serves some of the best pintxos in the Basque Country. These delicious bites, similar to tapas, consist of small pieces of bread topped with a myriad of delicious toppings, from manchego he cheese to piquillo he peppers and even smoked salmon. They are designed for slow grazing, and going for pintxos after work is an established custom in Bilbao.

Every bar serves these, so you can’t go wrong with where you choose to sample this age-old tradition. Starting at the edge of the old town, you’ll tour the venue along the Nervion River, a vast river that flows to the Cantabrian Sea and the Bay of Biscay.

Party on the streets of Semana Grande

With its own language and traditions, the Basque Country is completely different from the rest of Spain, and nothing symbolizes its proud identity like the Semana Grande Festival.

A raucous nine-day street party known as Aste Nagsia or Big Week is held every August and features fireworks, traditional music, and sports such as wood-chopping, stone-throwing, and bullfighting. Basically everything you would expect from a Basque festival.

As people come from all over Spain and the world to experience the festival, accommodation prices tend to rise during this period, but if you book far enough in advance you can still find great deals.

Follow in the footsteps of sports legends

Unlike other soccer clubs around the world who swap players in high-profile million-dollar transfers, Bilbao team Athletic only sign soccer players born and raised in the Basque Country.

Head to San Mamés, the team’s home base, and for 32 euros you can take a tour of the stadium and on-site museum, or even catch a game if your trip coincides.

Another Basque sporting landmark is the nearby coastal town of Pedrena. This is the home base of the legendary Spanish golfer, the late Seve Ballesteros. You can book a round at Seve’s home club, Real Golf de Pedrena, or stop by the Seve statue in a local park to pay your respects.

On the way back, it’s well worth a short detour to the bustling port of Santander. The waterfront is lined with lively cafes and ice cream shops, making it a fun place to relax for a few hours.

Climb the stairs of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

You can’t help but be impressed by the dramatic beauty of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the rocky island that was the setting for the terrifying Dragonstone fortress in the hit TV series. game of thrones.

Meaning “castle rock” in Basque, this place looks like something out of a fairy tale, with towering terracotta-roofed churches, rippling blue waters and natural rock arches.

A gem of the Basque coastline, this otherworldly island is connected to the mainland by a narrow zigzag stone bridge and is visited by thousands of tourists each year. Admission tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance.

It’s about 45 minutes from Bilbao, but the drive is all part of the experience. Pass stunning lookouts and lush forests, climb rugged mountainsides and get a glimpse of the wild, unspoiled nature of the Basque countryside.

Updated: February 8, 2024, 9:31am