Plans for the BILBAO-BIZKAIA, family A MILLION DIFFERENT SUMMERS Enjoy the beach 30 minutes from the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao SUMMER PLANS [p.5] TEN FIRST-RATE EXPERIENCES [p.9] MUSIC [p.13] POPULAR FESTIVALS [p.17] SPORTS [p.21] BILBAO BY LAND, SEA AND AIR [p.25] BEACHES AND SURFING [p.31] FISHING VILLAGES [p.35] VILLAGES WITH HISTORY [p.39] NATURAL SPACES [p.43] CAMINO DE SANTIAGO (ST. JAMES’ WAY) [p.47] GASTRONOMY [p.51] PLANS FOR THE FAMILY [p.55] Cultural AGENDA [p .59] 3 4 Aste Nagusia, Bilbao 5 6 Fireworks, Aste Nagusia, Bilbao. 7 UNMISSABLE EVENTS JULY BILBAO BBK LIVE FESTIVAL (10 - 12 July) The capital of Biscay hosts an annual event featuring the most outstanding national and international artists, attended by thousands of people who love a huge variety of music. The headliners for this edition are Franz Ferdinand, The Prodigy and The Black Keys. www.bilbaobbklive.com AUGUST ASTE NAGUSIA (16 - 24 August) Marijaia, the character which symbolises the festivities in Bilbao, is responsible for getting nine days of frenzied activity under way. In the city, you can experience theatrical performances, large concerts, some of the best fireworks in the world, gastronomic competitions, rural sport and many other things. www.bilbao-astenagusia.net SEPTEMBER BASKETBALL WORLD CUP (30 August - 4 September) Bilbao will become a global reference for the best basketball. The Bizkaia Arena, one of the pavilions of the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC), will host a total of 15 games in the preliminary stage of the FIBA 2014 Basketball World Cup. The legends of the NBA will share the bill with the national teams from Finland, New Zealand, the Ukraine, the Dominican Republic and Turkey. www.fiba.com 8 Pozalagua Caves, Karrantza, Winner of “Best Spot in Spain 2013” in the Repsol Guide 9 10 San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Awarded 1st Position in “The 7 Natural Wonders of Spain 2014” by Allianz Global Assistance 11 TEN FIRST-RATE EXPERIENCES 1. 6. Succumb to the gastronomic tradition Visit the eccentric stalactites in the par excellence of the region and go Pozalagua Caves, in the Karrantza out for pintxos (Basque tapas). In Valley and marvel at the works that Bilbao, do not forget to the visit the nature can create. areas of Casco Viejo, Poza, Garcia One hour from Bilbao and the “Best Spot Rivero, Ledesma and Diputación, in Spain 2013” according to the Repsol as well as the area surrounding the Guide. Guggenheim. 7. 2. Climb every step of the huge stairway Dine at one of the Basque Country’s leading up to the Hermitage of San Michelin-starred restaurants. Juan de Gaztelugatxe, between Discover what is on offer at Bakio and Bermeo. Won the most Azurmendi (3*), Mina (1*), Etxanobe votes in the “Seven Natural Wonders (1*), Zortziko (1*), Nerua (1*), Boroa (1*), of Spain” competition. Touch the bell Etxebarri (1*) or Andramari (1*). to make a wish or drive away bad spirits. 3. Have a drink at Jigger Cocktail Bar 8. on Calle Máximo Aguirre. Behind Sign up for a boat trip and hopefully its bar works David Ríos, the best catch a glimpse of the whales bartender in the world, who won the and dolphins that can be found World Class Competition, which is swimming around in the Bay of the most important cocktail-making Biscay. competition in the world. Day trips from Santurtzi Marina, 30 minutes from Bilbao on the metro. 4. www.verballenas.com Enjoy a unique jazz evening and be amazed in the unrivalled setting 9. of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Get on board the Txakolibus and From 19 to 22 August 2014, the learn about the essence of Txakoli Museum joins the Aste Nagusia wine. The visit includes a tour around festivities, opening its doors from the villages that produce Txakoli so 11pm to 2am. that you learn about its heritage and the wineries, as well as giving you a 5. chance to taste this typical wine. Climb the Biscay Bridge, inscribed in Tel:946071707 the UNESCO World Heritage list, and look out onto centuries of history and 10. one of the best views of the Abra Bay. End the day with a sunset on the sea 20 minutes by Renfe overground train. front. From Puerto Viejo to Sopelana and Barrika, on the Biscay coast, you will find the best terraces to relax. 12 A summer of festivals 13 14 Bilbao BBK Live Festival BILBAO BBK LIVE FESTIVAL MOVE TO THE BEST MUSIC BILBAO BBK LIVE FESTIVAL Enjoy the Bilbao BBK Live Festival, the biggest event in pop-rock music. Franz Ferdinand, The Prodigy and The Black Keys, in their sole concert date in the country, headline the bill of the ninth edition, which is breaking attendance records. The event is at Kobetamendi from 10 to 12 July. And remember that, during the day, there will be many activities taking place throughout the entire city before the concerts start. Thursday 10 July FRANZ FERDINAND Phoenix/Vetusta Morla/ Crystal Fighters/John Newman and more. Friday 11 July THE PRODIGY Jack Johnson/Bastille/Foster the people and more. Saturday 12 July THE BLACK KEYS The Lumineers/MGMT/Band of horses and more. www.bilbaobbklive.com 45MIN. AWAY 15 JAZZ FESTIVAL. VITORIA-GASTEIZ 14-19 July www.jazzvitoria.com A-68. Exit 5, N-622 60MIN. AWAY JAZZALDIA. JAZZ FESTIVAL DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIÁN 23-27 July www.heinekenjazzaldia.com A-8. Exit 9 90MIN. AWAY BIG BIARRITZ 16 to 24 July www.bigfest.fr Take the A-8, which becomes the A63 upon entering France. Exit at junction 4. A SUMMER OF FESTIVALS If concerts are your thing, there will be a varied mix of sounds featuring big- name artists for you this summer: Getxo International Jazz Festival 2-6 July www.getxo.net Getxo International Blues Festival 17-19 July www.getxo.net Armintza Txapel Reggae Festival 19 July OTHER CONCERTS… David Guetta. Date: 19 July Location: Bilbao Exhibition Centre Time: 22:00 Extremoduro Date: 20 September Location: Bilbao Exhibition Centre Time: 22:00 David Bisbal. “Tú y yo” Tour Date: 27 September A REASON TO COME BACK Location: Bilbao Arena Elton John at the BEC. Time: 22:00 2 November 16 Aste Nagusia, Bilbao 17 18 Marijaia welcomes you to Bilbao with open arms ASTE NAGUSIA From 16 to 24 August, the people of TXUPINAZO Bilbao will have their party scarves Thousands of people gather in front on and the city will get caught up in of the Arriaga Theatre, from where nine days of entertainment for the the rocket is fired which gets the general public. The Biscay capital will festivities underway. celebrate the “Big Week” (Semana Grande), where Marijaia, the popular host of the festivities, will preside over MARIJAIA more than 400 free activities which The popular character that embodies will include numerous concerts, the party spirit of Aste Nagusia. This theatrical performances, fairgrounds, aging woman, who is always depicted firework displays, giants and big- with her held up high, presides heads, children’s games and, of over the festivities in Bilbao. On the course, gastronomy. final day of the festivities, Marijaia is burned as the climax of the festival in Aste Nagusia is an excellent time to an event that takes place at the Ría. enjoy all forms of Basque culture including bertsolaris (singers of traditional Basque improvised songs), rural sports and traditional dance. Do not miss the opportunity to experience this unique environment. 45MIN. AWAY 19 FESTIVAL OF THE WHITE VIRGIN. VITORIA-GASTEIZ 4-9 August A-68. Exit 5, N-622 60MIN. AWAY GREAT WEEK. DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIÁN 9-16 August A-8. Exit 9 90MIN. AWAY SAN FERMÍN 6-14 July AP-68. Exit 5, N-622- AP-1, Donostia- San Sebastián. AP-15 Pamplona- Iruña. Exit 97 TXOSNAS FROM FESTIVAL TO FESTIVAL Marquees set up by different groups Virgen del Carmen in Santurtzi from the city which function as 11-20 July. taverns where you “must” drink a 25 minutes away on the metro. Kalimotxo, the quintessential drink Madalenas in Elantxobe, Bermeo and at the majority of Basque festivals, Mundaka. which is made with red wine and 22 de July. Coca Cola. 1 hour. Bizkaibus and Euskotren Festival of the Old Port in Getxo GARGANTÚA 12-17 August. Gargantúa is the enormous and 20 minutes away on the metro. cartoon-like figure of a villager which Day of the Geese in Lekeitio has a slide hidden inside him. Girls 5 September 2014. and boys are literally swallowed by 1 hour. Bizkaibus. this character, since they get on the slide through his mouth and go out through his backside. More information on the programme at: www.bilbao-astenagusia.net 20 Bilbao Arena, winner of the “Sports Building of the Year 2011” Prize in Arch Daily 21 222014 FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP 30,31. AUGUST 2,3,4. SEPTEMBER BILBAO, HOST OF THE 2014 FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP Bilbao will become a global reference THE UNITED STATES WILL PLAY for the best basketball from 30 August IN BILBAO to 4 September. The Bizkaia Arena, one of the pavilions of the Bilbao The national team of the United Exhibition Centre (BEC), will host a States, current world champion and total of 15 games in the preliminary gold medallist at the 2012 Olympic stage of the FIBA 2014 Basketball Games, will play the preliminary World Cup. stage of the FIBA 2014 Basketball World Cup in the installations of the Bizkaia Arena (BEC!). The biggest stars These facilities are less than a of the NBA will share the bill with the quarter of an hour away via the Bilbao national teams from Finland, New Metro.