What to See & Do in Bilbao
Sights Guggenheim Museum - The Guggenheim Museum is a huge building located at the intersection of the Puente de la Salve Bridge and the Nervion River. It is the major attraction in Bilbao, and features the works of some of the most distinctive artists of the late 20th century, including Picasso, Robert Motherwell, Robert Rauchenberg, Clyfford Still, Antony Tapies, Andy Warhol, Ives Klein and Willem de Koonig. More recent European art includes paintings from the 21st century, represented by a range of Spanish and Basque artists. Basilica de Begona - Overlooking the city, Basilica de Begona is easily accessible by taking the elevator from Calle Esperanza 6. It is commonly believed that the church was established on the spot where the Virgin Mary supposedly appeared in the fifteenth century. Hanging Bridge - Puente Colgante, or the Hanging Bridge, is situated in the Nervion estuary in the Puente de Vizcaya. It allows the passage of people and vehicles over the Nervion, and connects the quiet Las Arenas and noisier Portugalete areas of the town. The bridge can be reached by taking the subway to Areeta or by driving across the Puente de Deusto. Plaza de Espana - Plaza de Espana is an arcaded neoclassical square, decorated in the distinctive 19th century style. Where to stay Bilbao has one five-star hotel, the López de Haro, and various four-star hotels, such as the Carlton, situated in a historical building which housed the first Basque government and has had among its guest such luminaries as Einstein and King Alfonso XIII. Another four-star hotel is the Hotel Ercilla, where the stars and bullfighters like to stay. Other hotels worth mentioning are the Indautxu, the Abando and the Villa de Bilbao. There are also many places to stay in Bilbao that, although not in quite the same league, nevertheless offer excellent service and can assure you a comfortable stay without the exorbitant prices. These two- and three-star hotels are located throughout the city, with many in the centre. Hostels and pensions for budget travellers can be found in the Casco Viejo area, and it seems worth adding here that in Bilbao low price does not necessarily mean bad service. Transport Urban buses: The Bilbobus buses are the most commonly used transport, and run through every district in the city. Underground: Inaugurated in 1995, this was designed by the architect Norman Foster. The so-called ‘fosteritos’ - entrances to the different stations - are made of glass and steel. Tram: Euskotran provides Bilbao with this transport service between Atxuri and Basurto, running through the Abandoibarra area and stopping at the city centre’s main points of interest. Back To Bilbao
