PAID CONTENT

Clockwise from left: Man 1924, Martzana Street, Kat Webster in the Copper Deli, the Zubizuri footbridge, An insider’s La Ribera market guide to It has the buzz of the city centre, Start your day right and the laid-back vibes of the Bay I often pop into Copper Deli (Mazarredo 6) rst of coast. Kat Webster, who thing for a co ee or a smoothie – they do tasty left the London fashion scene to sandwiches and delicious cakes too. If you fancy run a yoga studio in the Basque something more traditional, have breakfast city, shares her insider tips on sitting at a marble table at the splendid Café what to see, do and eat Iruña (Jardines de Alba), which has been going for more than a century, and is decorated with ornate tiles. I always nd a yoga session and a walk along the waterfront an energising way to start the day, which is handy, as my studio is just two minutes from the beach, in Getxo.

City slicking The shimmering, titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum is a must. After taking in a few Picassos , walk along the riverbank to Santiago Calatrava’s Zubizuri footbridge, which looks like a harp made of white cotton threads, then cross the river to take the funicular up Mount Artxanda , one of the green hills that virtually encircle Bilbao, for panoramic views across the city. For a great view of the old town, cross back over the river to the Marzana quayside. The art dec o building with stained-glass windows ‘The citizens of Bilbao best restaurants, you’ll need to book ahead to get opposite is the glorious La Ribera market. a seat at one of its eight tables. Surrounding it are galleries, boutiques and caf es, are very fussy about such as Bihotz (Ar echaga 6), where you can Shop like a stylish local order a craft beer, sink into a vintage sofa, and sit their fi sh, and will As you walk around the city, you can’t help back and watch Bilbao’s hipsters in their natural noticing how well-dressed people are. Bilbao has environment. usually order turbot lots of fabulous boutiques, such as N32 (Ledesma I also highly recommend renting a bike to or hake to share’ 32), in which I always nd something I like. Man ride to the old port of . The hour-or-so’s 1924 , (Ercilla 21), which was founded in Bilbao ride will justify a reward – a glass of wine and nearly 100 years ago , uses top-quality materials some pintxos (Basque tapas) – in one of the good, and the Ibérico ham toasts are legendary. to create menswear that is contemporary but characterful bars you’ll nd there. If it’s heaving, El Globo, next door, is great too. draws on the rm’s Basque heritage. Another The stylish Mr Marvelous (Heros 18) is a great local brand I love is Mercules ( 9), which Eat, drink and be merry spot for an afternoon glass of wine and a slice of has a shop in Getxo that sells beautifully buttery- Basques are seriously dedicated to good food, tortilla, or if you’re sliding into evening mode, join soft leather bags and accessories. and know how to throw a good party too. the locals drinking massive “afterwork” gin and Kat Webster was speaking to Annie Bennett The old tradition of having a glass of vermouth tonics two doors down, at Morrocotuda (Heros 14). before lunch is now rather fashionable again , To get right into the Bilbao groove, you must and at Promenade (Astarloa 5), they make also do a pintxos crawl around the Casco Viejo – SAIL AND STAY HOLIDAYS cocktails with it too – the house mix uses rum, the old town. Have lunch at the Plaza Nueva, a Save up to 20% on 2019 Brittany Ferries sail and Campari and orange juice. Try not to spoil your porticoed square full of bars with outdoor tables, stay holidays, even during the school holidays. appetite by sco ng too many of their irresistible then join the locals for dinner at stylish Zapirain Choose from family-friendly chalet camping, crisps, though. (Juan Ajuriaguerra 22). The citizens of Bilbao apartments, cottages or hotels throughout France This part of Bilbao, known as the Ensanche, are very fussy about their sh, and here they’ll and . Book by 5 February. Lou ise Bourgeois’ Maman has broad avenues lined with shops, restaurants usually order turbot or hake to share between PAID FOR BY spider, outside Bilbao’s and galleries. For lunch, everyone loves La Viña two people. Not cheap but just superb. Guggenheim Museum (Diputazio 10), where you can eat at the bar or Finally, there’s Michelin-starred Mina (on

PHOTOGRAPHY: MARÍA IZKUE PHOTOGRAPHY: sitting at a table. Everything on the menu is Mart zana Street) – undoubtedly one of Bilbao’s

See theguardian.com/paid-for-content for GNM’s commercial content guidelines