Bilbao www.spain.info OLD TOWN CONTENTS Introduction 3 Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Discover Bilbao neighbourhood Published by: © Turespaña by neighbourhood 4 Created by: Lionbridge NIPO: 086-18-006-3 Culture 8 FREE COPY Tasting Bilbao 10 The content of this leaflet has been created with Bilbao throughout the seasons 13 the utmost care. However, if you find an error, please help us to improve by sending an email to Bilbao with children 14 [email protected] The hidden city 14 FRONT PAGE: Bilbao Guggenheim Museum Enjoy the nightlife 18 BACK: Old Town Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board Tours and walks 18 What can you visit near Bilbao? 19 How to get there 22 How to get around Bilbao 22 2 XXXX XXXX INTRODUCTION a GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO Come to Bilbao and discover how the of the local restaurants, true culinary past, the present and the future blend temples run by Michelin-starred chefs. in perfect harmony. A city which has Nature is a prominent feature in a city been able to coordinate its rich indus- surrounded by mountains and where trial past with truly futuristic artistic you can go to the beach on the metro. trends. The outskirts of Bilbao are full of green With the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum areas and wonderful lookout points as its flagship, the city's cultural attrac- with incomparable views of the city's tions are immense. There are extraor- skyline and the Cantabrian Sea. dinary colour changes caused by the Without leaving the Basque Country/ natural light reflecting off the titani- Euskadi, you can visit other fascinating um façade onto the estuary and great cities like San Sebastián and Vitoria, works of contemporary art exhibited in learn about wine culture and enjoy the its galleries. mountains and coastline. You'll love the Casco Viejo or Old Town and the Ensanche neighbour- hood with its broad, elegant streets. As you stroll about you'll have a chance to try the typical pintxos, aperitifs which The charms of Bilbao are a delight are a gastronomic work of art, to be for all the senses. accompanied by a glass of txakoli, the regional wine, before going on to one 3 BILBAO DISCOVER BILBAO NEIGHBOUR- Photo: FRANCISCO DE BORJA LARIA/123rf.com DE BORJA FRANCISCO Photo: HOOD BY NEIGHBOUR- HOOD This friendly, hospitable city lies in the valley formed by two rivers, the Nervión and the Ibaizabal. You'll discover the main attractions in its most iconic neighbour- hoods. ` SANTIAGO CATHEDRAL CASCO VIEJO OR OLD TOWN A walk through the pedestrian streets point for the residents of Bilbao. Inside will lead you to beautiful lookout points, there is a beautiful cloister surrounded glass-fronted galleries and the façades by trees, an oasis in the heart of the of Baroque buildings with centuries Old Town. of history. This is the city's oldest and From there, continue to the Plaza most traditional district, also known as Nueva, an ideal spot for a snack in one the Siete Calles/Zazpikaleak or Seven of the charming cafés and bars. Sundays Streets. This is the real heart of Bilbao. are particularly colourful as there is a Tree-lined pathways lead you to the flower market both in the square and El Arenal gardens. On one side you'll on the river bank. see the Neo-Baroque façade of the Arriaga Theatre and, on the opposite You should also visit the La Ribera side, the San Nicolás Towers overlook- Market, which has reinvented itself just ing the 18th-century church of the like the city. You'll see how the light re- same name and full of mementos of flects off the shop windows at sundown Basque fishermen and sailors. as you stroll along beside the estuary. Bilbao's old town is home to some of You'll discover beautiful little corners the city's most iconic monuments. The and squares in the narrow streets. To Cathedral of Santiago is the oldest fully experience the culture of tradition- building, the nerve centre and meeting al pintxos and poteo, the best streets are 4 DISCOVER BILBAO NEIGHBOURHOOD BY NEIGHBOURHOOD those of Correo, Bidebarrieta, Artekale, Somera and La Cruz. You'll also find a broad selection of shops. These include traditional establishments selling select handicrafts, as well as modern shops with an alternative feel. In the Siete Calles area there are other iconic attractions like the 15th-century Church of San Antón, (with remains of Bilbao's original city wall under the al- tar) and the historical La Bolsa building, an 18th-century palace converted into LARIA/123rf.com DE BORJA FRANCISCO Photo: a social and cultural centre. a OLD TOWN INDAUTXU b PLAZA CIRCULAR AND ABANDO Pleasant walks with extraordinary views and ground-breaking architec- ture. This is the essence of the elegant Indautxu and Abando neighbourhoods which make up Bilbao's Ensanche dis- Board Tourist Bilbao Photo: trict. In this district, which lies mostly on the banks of the estuary, there are numerous industrial premises whose activity has declined considerably over the years. This gave rise to the 'Bilbao Ría 2000' project with the aim of trans- forming this deteriorated area into what it has become today: modern, up- to-date and focusing on the tourist and services sector. Here you can stroll along broad, grid-pattern streets which converge on squares like the Plaza Circular. Here you'll find the monumental Sociedad Bilbaína, an eclectic building, with an exquisite, English-style, exterior finish and home to Bilbao's most select and exclusive club. If you continue along the Calle Buenos Aires and cross the 5 BILBAO Another way of exploring Bilbao is through the bridges which cross over the estuary. From both the Pedro Arrupe and La Salve (whose official name is Príncipes de España) bridges there are magnificent views of the city. Photo: MITXI/Bilbao Tourist Board Tourist MITXI/Bilbao Photo: BEGOÑA A prominent feature of this neighbour- hood in the upper part of the city is the magnificent 16th-century Basilica of Begoña, built to commemorate a VIEW OF THE TOWN HALL FROM THE OTEIZA SCULPTURE La Amatxu, a term of endearment in the Bizkaia region for their patron saint, estuary you'll come to the Town Hall, the Virgin of Begoña. whose façade is decorated with won- On her saint's day, 11 October, there derful sculptures. is a lively pilgrimage with concerts, Nearby you'll find the city's great icon, parades, children's activities, dancing the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum, de- and Basque rural sports. From the Plaza signed by Frank Gehry. Apart from its incredible exhibits, the building is a b GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO work of art in itself with sinuous lines and a titanium shell. Modernism is one of the prominent styles in the Ensanche district of Bilbao. The Casa Montero, by the architect Luis Aladrén, is perhaps the most famous building in this style in Bilbao. Aladrén was also responsible for the project for the palace housing the Diputación Foral de Bizkaia (Vizcaya Regional Government), a supreme example of eclecticism in Basque architecture. Then there's the Conference and Music Centre, better known as the Euskalduna Palace, in the strikingly recognisable form of a steel ship and which is well worth a visit. L www.euskalduna.eus 6 DISCOVER BILBAO NEIGHBOURHOOD BY NEIGHBOURHOOD Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board Tourist Bilbao Photo: Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board Tourist Bilbao Photo: a BEGOÑA BASILICA a BIZKAIA BRIDGE de Unamuno there is a historical stair- the world's first metallic transporter way called Las Calzadas de Mallona bridge. This architectural colossus is one leading from the Old Town up to this of the most important connecting points beautiful Gothic temple. between the towns of Portugalete and If you're feeling up to the challenge Getxo, located on either side of the of climbing the 300 steps, you'll see a Nervión River. number of crosses which are a part of Portugalete is ideal for a day's excur- the city's old cemetery. You can take a sion. In the historical old town with lift from the Calle de la Esperanza or steep, medieval streets you'll find the the exit from Unamuno Metro station, Basilica of Santa María, the Salazar which will bring you out in the lovely Tower and the Convent of Santa Clara. Etxebarria Park, just a short distance It is just a short walk from Portugalete from the basilica. to the lovely Playa de La Arena beach. The town of Getxo is full of charm and architectural treasures. You can visit NEAR BILBAO the Old Port of Algorta, the Las Arenas You really shouldn't miss the World neighbourhood and enjoy a coastline Heritage Hanging Bridge/Bizkaia Bridge, interspersed with beaches and cliffs. 7 BILBAO THE ARTS A contemporary art museum which looks like something out of science fiction, beautiful galleries with master- pieces of painting and sculpture, spec- tacular venues for concerts and thea- tre... Bilbao's cultural agenda is endless. _ BILBAO GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board Tourist Bilbao Photo: Monroe by Andy Warhol and works by prominent international artists like The Bilbao Guggenheim Museum is the Richard Serra, Anselm Kiefer, Gerhard flagship for a city renowned for design, Richter, Jean-Michel Basquiat... There modernity and a strong artistic vocation. are also sculptures by Basque artists like Eduardo Chillida and Jorge Oteiza. L www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus The surprising architectural structure If you prefer a more classical gallery, with curved titanic plates is perfectly then the collection in the Fine Arts integrated into the city of Bilbao and Museum is one of the most important its surroundings.