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Two-days tour in Bilbao: What to visit in Bilbao, a city full of activities, culture and gastronomy

December 26, 2013Bilbao, Tours and GuidesJorge

Bilbao is one of the main cities of the Basque Country, in the north of Spain. It has more than 700.000 inhabitants, counting the city and the metropolitan area.

In this article we are going to tell you about what are the best places to visit in the city, and how to visit them on foot in a two-days weekend. Bilbao is very popular among the tourists because its gastronomy, the Guggenheim Museum and the benches of the estuary of the Nervion River.

Day 1: The Old Town, The estuary of the Nervion River and its bridges, The City Hall , Guggenheim Museum, University of Deusto, Casilda Park, Gran Via

– The Old Town (Casco Viejo): This is a zone of ancient buildings, narrow streets and squares in the centre of the city. To arrive at the Old Town you can go by metro Line 1 and 2 (Casco Viejo metro station) or go from the Train Station, which is placed in front of Arenal bridge, the most frequent entrance for people who want to walk.

In there, you will be able to visit San Nicolás Curch, Plaza Nueva, Santiago Cathedral, Santos Juanes Church and some museums.

– The estuary of the Nervion River: The Old Town is located bordering the estuary of the Nervion River. Once viewed it, our recommendation is to bordering the river on foot in the water flood direction.

Walking from Arenal Bridge (Puente del Arenal), you will reach the City Hall firstly, and then the Guggenheim Museum and the University of Deusto. During the ride, you will pass some famous bridges as Puente del Ayuntamiento, Zubizuri and Puente de los principes – La Salve.

– The Guggenheim Museum (Museo Guggenheim): This is a contemporary art center. The museum was inaugurated in 1997 and since then, it has become one of the most popular museums of Spain and Europe because its original and transgressive design.

Moreover, there are other relevant buildings of Bilbao near the museum: The University of Deusto, Doña Casilda Park, Iberdrola Skyscraper and more.

– Casilda Park: This is the biggest park in the center of Bilbao. The ideal place to rest and enjoy of its fountains.

Also, close to the park is located Conference Arts Centre (Palacio de Congresos Euskalduna).

– Gran Via Avenue (Don Diego Lopez de Haro): This Street is in the geometric centre of Bilbao, measures more than 1.5 km in length and it is the financial and institutional center of the city. This wide avenue is always full of people and reflects the life of the modern city.

Gran Via is a the perfect place to go shopping, take a coffee or eat something at the end of the afternoon.

Gastronomy: It is said that the food in The Basque Country is the best food of Spain… and probably it is true. In Bilbao you can find a lot of premium restaurants. But you also can eat high quality food in many cheaper places: By trying the tapas you will be able to try a lot of different dishes in many bars of the zone.

The best sites to eat in Bilbao are located in the Old Town (Plaza Nueva and its surroundings) and in some other streets that are indicated in the touristic map (in the end of this article).

Day 2: Getxo (sea, beach and port), Portugalete and Santurtzi

– Getxo Town: Getxo is a town located 30 minutes away from Bilbao city. The location of the town in the Nervion river mouth, its beaches, its maritime port and its landscape, have turned Getxo in one of the most touristic places of the region.

To arrive at Getxo from Bilbao, get on the metro Line 1 to Algorta or Bidezabal metro stations. The sea and the beaches are the main attractive of Getxo. Also, it has a port and commercial zones.

– Portugalete and Santurtzi: At the other bench of the estuary of the Nervion River, there are placed the towns Portugalete and Santurtzi.

To arrive at them from Getxo, there is only one way to cross the estuary: the Vizcaya Bridge (Puente colgante de Vizcaya).

Day 3 (extra day): San Mamés Stadium, Boat dock and House of the Mercy

If you have some free time on the second day or you have one day more, don’t leave Bilbao without seeing these other places:

– San Mamés Football Stadium:

– Boat dock Ramón de la Sota and Euskalduna Bridge: Both of them can be seen from the Football Stadium.

– House of the Mercy (Casa de la misericordia):

Bilbao touristic map

In the map below, there are described the most important monuments and places of Bilbao. Also, you have resalted the old town (in pink), the gastronomy areas (yellow), shopping streets (soft green and orange), nitghlige (dark green) and culture (blue).

Sierra Nevada: Skiing and hiking near Granada

December 24, 2013Beach, mountain and nature, GranadaJorge

Sierra Nevada is a mountain massif located in the south of Spain, more specifically in Andalusia, between Almeria and Granada.

In there, there is located The National Park of Sierra Nevada and the Sierra Nevada Ski station. These two places offer a lot of activities for the people who visit it, from skiing and snowboarding in winter, to hiking, to make excursions, cycling or para-gliding the whole year.

The National Park of Sierra Nevada

Inside the mountain massif it’s placed the National Park of Sierra Nevada (Parque nacional de Sierra Nevada). Declared a national park in year 1999, it covers an area bigger than 85000 hectares.

The park has more than twenty peaks over 3000 meters high. From all of them, Mulhacen is the highest peak, with 3480 meters high.

The Ski Station

The Ski Station of Sierra Nevada (Sierra Nevada, Estación de Esquí y Montaña de Andalucía) is the highest ski station of Spain and one of the biggest ones (only comparable with The Pyrenees, in Catalonia, Aragon and Navarra). Besides, its location in the south of the country, near the sea, creates a softer weather and its height propitiates to have high quality snow.

Every winter thousands of people from the south and the center of Spain, and also from outside, go skiing and snowboarding. One day skiing can cost from 40 to 65€ per person (depending if you have your own equipment, if you park the car in a parking or if you want to eat in its restaurants).

To arrive at the Sierra Nevada ski station, you can go by bus or by car from Granada city. The station is 31 away of the city. Another option is to take a bus (called Bus Blanco) from Madrid.

Map: Sierra Nevada Ski tracks

Here you have a map of the Ski Station:

The main entrance is at Pradollano (2100 meters), then a chairlift will you take you to Borreguiles. The highest ski tracks of the station are placed at Veleta peak (3400 meters).

More places to visit near Sierra Nevada

– La Alhambra (Granada): It is said that “There is nothing sadder in the world than being blind in Granada,” because one blind cannot see the wonderful sunset staring at the Alhambra from the Albaicín, and enjoy its extraordinary architecture, therefore, a must for tourists who visit Spain is to spend several days in Granada and visit The Alhambra which is one of the most visited monuments in Spain.

– Andalusia: Check here all our articles about this wonderful region of Spain.

Casa Mila – La Pedrera: A Gaudí designed building in Paseo de Gracia (Barcelona)

December 24, 2013Barcelona, Emblematic buildingsJorge

Casa Mila (popularly known as La Pedrera) is a unique modernist building located at Paseo de Gracia (Passeig de Gràcia) number 92, Barcelona.

The building was designed by architect Antoni Gaudí and built between 1906 and 1912. Then, in 1984, Casa Mila was declared a World Heritage (UNESCO).

The Mila Family

When in the second part of the nineteenth century El Ensanche disctrict was built in Barcelona, Paseo de Gracia avenue became one of the main streets of the city. Many bourgeois families wanted to live in this area. One of them was the Mila Family that ordered Gaudí to design Casa Mila, whose first floor had to be a place to live , and the rest of them flats to rent to other families.

During its construction and some years later, the building was involved in some controversy. On one hand, its curved and unprecedented design generated discrepancies among the popular opinion about it appearance. On the other hand, also in the construction there were some administrative problems, which were finally solved.

The design of the building

Casa Mila is a modernist building, which has 1835 m², six levels and two courtyards. Its singular facade and balconies are famous for its curvilinear shape, never seen before in that age.

It is said that Gaudi was a highly chaotic, observant and religious person, so its designs reflect his desires of perfection and a fusion with the nature world.
Nowadays, Casa Mila is one of the most visited monuments in Barcelona. Furthermore, it has been declared a World Heritage Site.

Visiting Casa Mila – La Pedrera

La Pedrera is open to visitors almost every day from 9.00 to 18.00 in winter and from 9.00 to 20.00 in summer. To buy the tickets can cost between 10 and 16€.

To arrive at Casa Mila, take the Metro Lines 3 or 5 (Diagonal metro station).

More monuments designed by Antoni Gaudí

– Church of the Holy Family (La Sagrada Familia): It is a must for tourists that arrive in the Condal City see its outstanding architecture, design and sculptures.

– The Güell Park: People who visit the beautiful Güell Park can enjoy strolling in its area, sitting down on its decorated benches or admiring its fantastic architecture and the perfection the artwork.

More popular places to visit in Barcelona

– Las Ramblas Avenue: Las Ramblas goes from Catalonia Square to the seaport, and it has a lot of cafes, terraces, pubs and discotheques. In the end of the street, there is the Cristobal Colon statue, one of the icons of Barcelona.

– Columbus Monument (Monumento a Colón): One of the most famous statues of Barcelona city. It was built in 1888 for a Universal Exposition and it represents a statue of Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colon) above a pillar, pointing with his right hand to the sea.

– La Barceloneta beach: In summer, you can sunbathe or swim in the beach of La Barceloneta, which is 5 minutes walking from Las Ramblas – Columbus Statue.

Getxo: Sea and beach near Bilbao

December 18, 2013Beach, mountain and nature, BilbaoJorge

Getxo (or Guecho) is a town of 80.000 inhabitants located 30 minutes away from Bilbao city. The location of the town in the Nervion river mouth, its beaches, its maritime port and its landscape, have turned Getxo in one of the most tourist places of the region in the last century.

To arrive at Getxo from Bilbao, get on the metro Line 1 to Neguri, Aiboa, Algorta or Bidezabal metro stations. The trip from the centre of Bilbao city to Getxo will take almost 30 minutes.

The beaches and the sea in Getxo

The sea and the beaches are the tourist main attraction of Getxo. Its beaches (Las Arenas, Ereaga, Arrigunaga, Azkorri-Gorrondatxe and Barinatxe) can be classified in two groups: The ones which are closest to the open sea –with rougher sea- and the beaches protected by the port, -with calmer sea-.

To arrive at the beaches, get off at Bidezabal metro station or at Algorta.

The maritime port

The maritime port of Getxo has areas for any kind of boats, also cruisers.

Besides, there is a maritime club where people can sail, go canoing, etc..

Commercial zones and gastronomy

The commercial zones of Getxo are in Algorta neighborhood and the surroundings of the maritime port.

As we have told in other posts, remember that the Basque Country is one of the regions of Spain with best culinary culture. There are many bars and restaurants everywhere with a lot of variety food, above all “tapas” and fish.

Portugalete, Santurtzi and the estuary of the Nervion River

At the other bank of the estuary of the Nervion River, there are placed the towns Portugalete and Santurtzi. These towns are less tourist than Getxo, with more industrial areas. Anyway, both of them have also their attraction for people who want to discover new places.

There is only one way to cross the estuary from Getxo-Leioa to Portugalete-Santurtzi: the Vizcaya Bridge (Puente colgante de Vizcaya), which was declared World Heritage in 2006 by UNESCO. This suspension bridge was constructed between 1887 and 1893 and was the first of its class in the world.

Metro Map of Bilbao and Getxo

Below you have a metro and train map of Bilbao, Getxo (Guecho), Leioa (Lejona), Portugalete, Santurtzi (Santurce) and its surroundings:

More places to visit near Getxo

– The Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao): Museo Guggenheim is a contemporary art center placed in Bilbao, in the Basque Country. The museum was inaugurated in 1997 and since then, it has become one of the most popular museums of Spain and Europe because its original and transgressive design.

– The Old Town of Bilbao: This is a zone of ancient buildings, narrow streets and squares in the centre of Bilbao. This zone is popular among citizens and tourists because its gastronomy, atmosphere and for its churches and traditional buildings.

Casco Viejo de Bilbao / The Old Town of Bilbao

December 18, 2013Bilbao, Gastronomy, Nightlife, Streets and monumentsJorge

The Old Town of Bilbao (Casco Viejo) is a zone of ancient buildings, narrow streets and squares in the centre of Bilbao. This zone is popular among citizens and tourists because its gastronomy, atmosphere and for its churches and traditional buildings.

To arrive at the Old Quarter you can go by metro Line 1 and 2 (Casco Viejo metro station) or go from the Train Station, which is placed in front of Arenal bridge, the most frequent entrance for people who want to walk.

The train station

Santander Train Station (La Concordia) is the main station of the city. The long distance trains stop there and also it has a metro station inside (Abando).

The station was built in 1902 and its structure and decoration still has an industrial flavour that gives it a special attractive for tourists.

The Nervion River and its bridges

Close to the Train Station, you will find Arenal Bridge. This is the main entrance to the Old Town for the citizens who are coming from the commercial streets of Bilbao (Gran Vía and surroundings).

However, as the estuary of the Nervion River borders the old quarter, there are some other bridges in the zone as La Merced Bridge, La Ribera Bridge and San Antón Bridge.

In the newest part of Bilbao, you also can find the following bridges: City Hall bridge (Puente del Ayuntamiento), Zubizuri bridge and Princes Bridge (Puente de los príncipes).

Churches and relevant buildings

From Arenal Bridge can be seen San Nicolás Curch, built in 1756. Near it, there is located Plaza Nueva (New Square), a neoclassical square where you will find the Royal Academy of the Basque Language, and a lot of bars and restaurants always full of people.

Then, bordering the river to San Antón Bridge, there is San Anton Church and La Rivera Market.

Other important buildings that you will see in the zone are Santiago Cathedral, Santos Juanes Church and some museums.

The Gastronomy in Bilbao

Don’t leave the Old Quarter without trying the gastronomy!

Although the food is impressive in all the city, in this zone there are a large amount of bars and restaurants. Above all at Plaza Nueva and its surroundings, where there are a lot of places where you can eat “tapas” (small sandwiches or dishes with original and innovative food).

It is said that the food in The Basque Country is the best food of Spain… and probably it is true. In Bilbao you can find a lot of premium restaurants. But you also can eat high quality food in many cheaper places: By trying the tapas you will be able to try a lot of different dishes in many bars of the zone. Don’t miss it!

Once viewed the historic centre of Bilbao, our recommendation is to bordering the river in the water flood direction. Doing that you will reach the City Hall firstly, and then the Guggenheim Museum.

More places to visit in Bilbao

– The Guggenheim Museum: Museo Guggenheim is a contemporary art center placed in Bilbao, in the Basque Country. The museum was inaugurated in 1997 and since then, it has become one of the most popular museums of Spain and Europe because its original and transgressive design.

– Getxo (Guecho): Getxo is a town of 80.000 inhabitants located 30 minutes away from Bilbao city. The situation of the town in the Nervion river mouth, its beaches, its maritime port and its landscape, have become it one of the most touristic places of the region in the last century.

Museo Guggenheim / The Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao)

December 17, 2013Bilbao, Emblematic buildingsJorge

The Guggenheim Museum (Museo Guggenheim) is a contemporary art center placed in Bilbao, in the Basque Country. The museum was inaugurated in 1997 and since then, it has become one of the most popular museums of Spain and Europe because its original and transgressive design.

The building

This museum has many characteristics that makes it unique: Its structure, designed by the architect Frank Gehry has a curved surface covered in titanium. What’s more, its situation, close to the river bank, creates a wonderful game of highlights when the sun reflects its rays in the titanium and then they are reflected in the water.

The surroundings of the museum

The Guggenheim Museum is located in the estuary bank of the Nervion River, at Bilbao city center. Around it, you will find some famous sculptures, a tourism center and green zones. Moreover, there are other relevant buildings of Bilbao near the museum: The University of Deusto, Doña Casilda Park, The Princes Bridge, Iberdrola Skyscraper and more.

To arrive at Guggenheim, you can go on foot from the train station (10 minutes) or from the bus station (6 minutes). You can also go by tram.

Another option to arrive at the museum is to go from the train station in the historic centre of Bilbao, bordering the river until arrive at the museum. Surely, doing this you will take the nicest photos of Bilbao.

More places to visit in Bilbao

Other popular museums in Spain

– Reina Sofía Art Center (Madrid): This art gallery forms part of the “Madrid’s triangle”, next to Prado Museum and Museum of Thyseen-Bornemisza. These three art galleries are must-see places in Madrid. Each of them is full of masterpieces of art. This museum is dedicated to the modern art, mostly of the 20th century.

Read also our article about the best destinations to visit in Spain.

The Debod Temple (Madrid)

December 16, 2013Emblematic buildings, MadridJorge

The Debod Temple (Templo de Debod) is an old Egyptian temple which nowadays is located in Parque del Oeste of Madrid. Although the temple was once in Egypt, it was disassembled in 1960 and translated to Spain ten years later to avoid its inundation because of the construction of a dam in Egypt.

To arrive at Debod Temple, take the metro Line 3 to Plaza España. The temple is four minutes on foot from Plaza España.

The history of the temple

The origins of the temple date from 2200 years ago when in the second century Before Christ, Pharaoh Ptolemy IV built it. Its original location was in the old Debod Town in the bank of the Nile River, in the south of Egypt. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis and also to Amun.

In 1961 Egypt started the construction of the Aswam Dam, so many temples placed in the area that would be affected by the flooding were disassembled and transported to other new locations. Then, four temples were translated to other countries which collaborated with its preservation: Dendur to United States, Ellesiya to Italy, Taffa to Holland and Debod to Spain.

Visiting the temple

People can visit the temple every day for free. Its doors are open from 10:00 to 14:00, and from 16:00 to 18:00.

The building has two levels. On the first level there are Egyptian statues and paintings which gives us a vision of how was the temple in the ancient times. Moreover, on the second floor there is a small museum with information about the original location of the temple and its history.

The park and the view point

The Debod Temple is placed in a strategic zone of the park. Just behind the temple there is a balcony from which it can be seen a nice panoramic of the north-west of Madrid. Also, from there you can take photos of the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral. This view point is very popular because its views at sunset. For that, this part of the park is one of the most romantic sites of Madrid.

Another interesting thing to do in Parque del Oeste is to go to the cable-way (Teleférico de Rosales). You can use it to go to another view point placed in Casa de Campo, from which you will see the whole city.

More popular places in Madrid, located near Debot Temple

– The Royal Palace: Nowadays, the Royal Palace is the official residence of the king of Spain Juan Carlos I, who uses it for important events because the King lives in a small palace called The Zarzuela. The palace was built between 1738 and 1755, and the king Felipe V (1683-1746) ordered its construction.

– Jardines de oriente (Oriente Gardens): A square with a beautiful gardens and two rows of statues on this sides. They are placed beside Palacio Real.

– Jardines de Sabatini (Sabatini Gardens): These gardens are placed by Real Palace, and also close to El Senado building.

– Catedral de La Almudena (Almudena’s Cathedral): This is the main cathedral of Madrid. It is placed in front of Palacio Real.

– Plaza de España: There you can find the first skyscrapers built in Spain, and a beautiful fountain in the middle of the square with a statue of Don Quijote and Sancho Panza.

– Gran via Avenue: Gran Via is one of the most famous streets of Spanish capital. It is situated in the center of Madrid and was built 100 years ago. The idea of the street was to join and improve the communication between the districts of the capital city.

Read also our post about What to see in Madrid in one week.

San Fermín: One of the most popular celebrations in the world (Pamplona)

December 12, 2013Celebrations, PamplonaJorge

San Fermín Celebrations, or Sanfermines, are the most famous Spanish festivals around the world. It takes place in Pamplona the first days of July from the sixth to the fourteenth of this month.

Every year, in the celebrations week Pamplona receives the visit of thousands of people from other parts of Spain and foreigners. All of them with the intention of having a good time, enjoying the beginning of the summer, dancing and participate in the traditional activities, as the chupinazo, the procession or the bulls running.

Pamplona: The city

Pamplona (Iruña) is the capital of the Navarra region, located at the north of Spain, between Aragon, The Basque Country and La Rioja, with The Pyrenees to its north.

Normally Pamplona is a wealthy and calm city which has about 200,000 inhabitants. Its climate is mild, with a lot of green zones.

For many people who appreciate this way of life, these cities placed in the north of the country are the best places to live in Spain. However, in Summer San Fermin transforms Pamplona into an overcrowded city full of tourists and visitors who want to have fun and party.

What to do in San Fermin?

The “chupinazo” marks the start of Sanfermines the 6th of July at midday. It consists on the launching of a firework rocket from the balcony of the Town Hall, in the Consistorial Square, which is full of people dressed in white clothes and a red neckerchief, waiting for the beginning of the festivals.

Then, the same day at 16.30 is the “Riau-Riau”. A tradition since 1914, in where the people go singing and dancing with the municipal band from the Town Hall to the San Fermín Church.

Once started the celebrations, a lot of activities take place in Pamplona: music, attractions, night life and many other activities for all kind of people. However, the most popular events are the bulls running (“encierros”), about which we will talk later.

Another traditional activity is the San Fermín Procession. The 7th of July at 10.00 the procession starts in San Lorenzo parish church and citizens carry the saint through the streets of the city.

Finally, the last day of San Fermin festivals take place the “Pobre de mi”. Here, the people sing lamenting the end of the celebrations.

Running by the bulls

The most famous part of the celebrations are the “encierros”(running of the bulls), a race where the participants dressed in white clothes, run down the streets of the city center to avoid being hit by the horns of the bulls.

This runs starts every day at 8.00 and only adult people are allowed to run. Is spite of this, every year many runners are severely injured by the bulls, so if you are thinking of running of the bulls, take into account that it can be very risky, especially if you haven’t slept the last night or there are too many people in the streets.

Also, in the afternoon the bullfights (corridas de toros) are celebrated. Although, these ones are less popular than the bulls running of the mornings.

More interesting activities to do in Spain

– Celebrations in Spain

– The most touristic cities and monuments