Bilbao

www..info OLD TOWN

CONTENTS Introduction 3

Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Discover 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

aa 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 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 , 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. aa OLD TOWN

INDAUTXU bb PLAZA CIRCULAR AND Pleasant walks with extraordinary views and ground-breaking architec- ture. This is the essence of the elegant 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 aa 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 bb 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. LL www.euskalduna.eus

6 DISCOVER BILBAO NEIGHBOURHOOD BY NEIGHBOURHOOD Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board Tourist Bilbao Photo: Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board Tourist Bilbao Photo:

aa BEGOÑA BASILICA aa 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 and If you're feeling up to the challenge , 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 , 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. LLwww.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. in Spain. Travel back in time with works The museum has regular temporary ex- in a number of different styles from hibitions, an extraordinary permanent the 13th century to the present day. collection and two mascots: the floral There are over 10,000 exhibits includ- Puppy and Maman, the spider-like work ing ­masterpieces by El Greco, Goya, by Louise Bourgeois. Zuloaga, Francis Bacon, Miquel Barceló In the interior you'll find works like and Antoni Tàpies. the series of pop images of Marilyn LLwww.museobilbao.com

8 THE ARTS

The modern facilities of the Archaeological Museum display the history of Vizcaya by means of the footprints left by its inhabitants from pre-history to recent times. LLwww.bizkaikoa.bizkaia.eus Board Tourist Bilbao Photo: The is an extraor- dinary building designed by Philippe Starck which is used for holding all kinds of cultural activities. If you'd like to see a show, a concert or an opera, the Euskalduna Palace has a really com- prehensive programme.

LLwww.azkunazentroa.eus AZKUNA ZENTROA The theatre listings in Bilbao are fasci- nating. Check out the agendas for ven- ues like the Arriaga Theatre, the Sala Finally, Bilbao Art District is essential BBK, Bilborock, the Campos Elíseos for really getting to know the artistic Theatre and the Sociedad Filarmónica scene in Bilbao. Although it's active to find something you like. all through the year, it is especially so LLwww.filarmonica.org from May to October when it organ- ises a special programme distributed throughout the city. LLwww.bilbaoartdistrict.com

9 BILBAO Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board Tourist Bilbao Photo:

aa PINTXOS TASTING BILBAO The displays in Bilbao's bars and res- There is also a wide variety of estab- taurants are a spectacular blend of col- lishments. The Old Town, Abando and ours, scents and flavours. Herepintxos Indautxu are the neighbourhoods best have almost a religious significance. known for these delicious Basque ta- These represent an extraordinary va- pas which you'll find in a host of hun- riety of exquisite aperitifs which you dred-year-old taverns, modern bars, can try all over the city. delightful cafeterias and restaurants. There is such a wide choice, from tra- Almost all of them pay homage in their ditional to true avant-garde creations, own way to these pintxos. They go best although typically you'll find gildas with a glass of txakoli, the local white (olive, anchovy and chilli pepper on a wine. Now you're ready for a txikiteo or cocktail stick), grilled mushrooms, tx- pintxo-pote, a traditional bar-crawl with angurro (spider crab), Spanish omelette wine and tapas in the Basque country. and several recipes for cod which is a The great selection of restaurants and star feature of . grills has made Bilbao a culinary Mecca

10 TASTING BILBAO

in Spain. The city is proud to have Estuary and try its careful selection several Michelin-starred restaurants, of pintxos and typical Basque dishes like Azurmendi, with the renowned cooked to the rhythm of live music. chef Eneko Atxa. Another market dating back to the Another fantastic way of discovering beginning of the last century and re- Basque cuisine first-hand is in one cently renovated is the Abando. It of the gastronomic markets. The La is small and charming with delight- Ribera Market, next to the Estuary, is ful stalls selling local delicacies like symbolic of the transition which has cheeses and cold meats. Meanwhile, taken place in the city, it was recent- the El Ensanche Market, located in ly renovated and is now quite spec- the heart of the city, has preserved tacular. Come and see how the light its traditional charm and is where the falls on its colourful windows at sun- local people do much of their daily set while you walk along the Bilbao shopping.

bb LA RIBERA MARKET Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board Tourist Bilbao Photo:

11 BILBAO Photo: Jarno Gonzalez/123rf.com Jarno Photo:

12

ASTE NAGUSIA/SEMANA GRANDE DE BILBAO

BILBAO THROUGHOUT THE SEASONS AUTUMN On the last Monday in October you have the really popular Fair of Gernika, a beautiful town 30 kilo- metres south of Bilbao. This is where you can experience the more tradi- tional side of the Basque Country, with bertsolaris (people reciting im- provised verses in the Basque lan- guage), ox competitions, games of the traditional Basque sports ofcesta and pelota and the best local dishes. Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board Tourist Bilbao Photo:

aa MARIJAIA WINTER Traditional Basque rural sports are best enjoyed during the cold win- SUMMER ter months: cutting tree trunks with The pleasant summer temperatures an axe, lifting rocks, manual drilling are ideal for spending some time on through rocks, tug of war, races... the beaches near the city, including These games are called herri kirolak. Las Arenas, Ereaga and Arrigunaga. In February and March there is the Summer in Bilbao means talking Zinegoak, or Bilbao International about its most important festival Festival of LGBT Film and Arts, which called Semana Grande (Bilboko Aste has become one of the most impor- Nagusia in the ). For tant in Spain. nine days in the second fortnight in August, the Old Town and on both SPRING sides of the Estuary you'll find tx- Of all the possibilities for active osnas (stalls with music, food and tourism available in Bilbao when the drink), the heart and soul of these weather is good (water sports, hiking festivities which include traditional in the surrounding area, cycling...), characters like the Marijaia, a doll one of the most appealing must be a with its arms in the air which repre- round of golf in the privileged natu- sents the festivity and is burned as ral environment of Txorierri. the closing event.

13 BILBAO

THE HIDDEN CITY If you still have time, there are plenty Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board Tourist Bilbao Photo: of charming secrets in Bilbao for you to discover.

PARKS AND GARDENS The prominent colour in Bilbao is green which is evident in the city's parks and the surrounding mountains. The largest aa DOÑA CASILDA ITURRIZAR PARK is the Etxebarria Park, on the hill called Begoña. El Arenal is the garden area in the Old Town where the locals love to rest and relax, take a stroll or enjoy a BILBAO picnic. In the heart of the Abando neighbour- WITH CHILDREN hood, the Albia gardens are ideal for Bilbao is ideal for a family holiday. There a stroll, looking at the architecture and is a wide selection of activities suitable taking a drink in one of the bars in the for children. For example, a ride on the Artxanda Funicular, which runs from the town centre up to the mountain with the same name. From high up you'll have incredible views. The Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park, known locally as "duck park", is a beautiful green area with plenty to do, like rid- ing on a traditional merry-go-round, boating on the lake or just enjoying the fountains and sculptures. If you'd like to explore the city from a different perspective and surprise the children at the same time, take a cruise along the Nervión River and enjoy a memorable boat trip.

14

`` ARTXANDA LOOKOUT POINT THE HIDDEN CITY surrounding area. And near Rekalde, You could also go to a concert at the what was formerly a railway yard has Quiosco del Arenal, designed by Pedro been converted into a splendid park, Ispizua, an architect from Bilbao. It is a the Parque Ametzola. circular music pavilion, with an over- These are just a few of the city's green hanging roof and very expressionist, in- areas, there are many more. In the spired by the shape of a shell. Miribilla, Bidarte and Europa parks Then there's the San Mamés Stadium, there are spacious grassy areas and in- also known as the "Cathedral of Football", teresting trails. winner of a number of awards includ- ing the world's best newly-built sports MONUMENTS facility at the 2015 World Architecture Festival. On a walk through Bilbao you'll see all kinds of iconic, monumental build- The city is also proud of the architec- ings. Apart from those which are well- ture in its metropolitan railway network, known, you shouldn't miss La Santa y designed by Norman Foster. The most Real Casa de Misericordia and its ro- spectacular station is , also known mantic gardens, the majestic palaces of as The Spider or the Centipede because Ibaigane and Chavarri, the seat of the of its extraordinary structure. Especially Bizkaia Government Delegation, and surprising are the entrances to the met- the Bidebarrieta Library, in the French ro, known as Fosteritos, steel and glass eclectic style. awnings with very unusual designs.

15 BILBAO Photo: Jose Maria Luis Marquez/123rf.com Luis Maria Jose Photo:

16

SAN MAMÉS STADIUM THE HIDDEN CITY

SECRET MUSEUMS ROOFTOPS OF BILBAO There is an incredible number of muse- See the city in all its splendour from a ums in Bilbao. They go from local gems different perspective. As you cross over to internationally renowned facilities, the La Salve Bridge you get an amazing covering everything from antiquity to view of the city centre. the most state-of-the-art. If you fancy taking a drink looking out The Vasco Museum, in the heart of the over the rooftops of the city, climb up Old Town, deals with the ethnograph- to the terrace of the Azkuna Zentroa, ic and cultural legacy of the Basque formerly a wine warehouse and refur- Country. Nearby, you'll find the Pasos bished by the designer Philippe Starck. de Semana Santa Museum, the only A culture and leisure centre where one of its kind in this region. The equal- everything imaginable is possible: exhi- ly interesting Diocesan Museum of bitions, concerts, swimming pool, res- Religious Art has one of Europe's best taurants, shops, cinemas... collections of precious metal objects. At the top of the Solokoetxe eleva- The exhibits in the Ría de Bilbao tor you'll feel like you're walking over Maritime Museum, in the Ensanche the rooftops. A little further away, but neighbourhood, display the maritime just as incredible are the watchtower heritage associated with the estuary. in Etxebarria Park and the Artxanda lookout point.

bb ARTXANDA LOOKOUT POINT

17 Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board Tourist Bilbao Photo: BILBAO

ENJOY THE NIGHTLIFE Bilbao has a lively nightlife with plen- Then you can choose from among a ty to choose from. It is traditional to wide choice of cosy, friendly bars, con- start out with a little txikiteo in the Old cert halls and clubs. The area surround- Town, the Ensanche or the Ledesma ing the Albia and Mazarredo gardens is neighbourhood. Some of the terraces highly recommended. For something also have outstanding views. more alternative, your best option is the Ripa and Marzana quaysides.

TOURS AND WALKS There are many different ways of ex- The wonderful blend of colours, tex- ploring Bilbao. The city is quite com- tures, city and nature, make Bilbao pact, so you can easily get around on fantastic for photo enthusiasts. There foot. Also on wheels as there is a fan- are a number of companies organising tastic bike lane alongside the estuary. photographic routes around the city, On water you can choose between a but you can also simply go where you canoe, paddle surf and Big SUP to get a please and photograph whatever at- different perspective of the city while tracts your attention. getting a little exercise.

18 WHAT CAN YOU VISIT NEAR BILBAO?

aa DONOSTIA/SAN SEBASTIÁN

DONOSTIA/ SAN JUAN DE SAN SEBASTIÁN GAZTELUGATXE This beautiful city is the capital of This 10th century chapel stands right Guipúzcoa and is a perfect blend of ar- on the Matxitxako Cape overlooking chitecture, gastronomy and the sea. Its the sea on an islet and is only acces- white sandy beaches are the perfect sible via a stone bridge and a dizzying place for sunbathing and long walks staircase. along the seafront. The different neigh- bourhoods are home to buildings in the style of the Belle Epoque, like the Victoria Eugenia Theatre and the Town Hall. The fishing port is a delight, as is An unforgettable image Mount Igueldo, with Eduardo Chillida's which was used as a renowned “Wind Comb” sculpture at its location for several seasons feet. of Game of Thrones. LLFurther information: www.sansebastianturismo.com

19 SAN JUAN DE GAZTELUGATXE

BILBAO

20 WHAT TO VISIT NEAR BILBAO? GERNIKA-LUMO In , a city that was declared a "Symbol for Peace" by the UNESCO, you will get a sense of the town's his- tory. It was totally destroyed by the German and Italian air forces during the Spanish Civil War, in 1937. This in-

cident inspired the iconic painting by Mandrygin/123rf.com Mikhail Photo: Pablo Picasso that bears the town's name. The Gernika oak tree is a symbol of the Basque people and a legacy of its fascinating past. The town also holds interesting fairs and markets always re- specting tradition. The surrounding area of Urdaibai consists of unspoiled nature.

RIOJA ALAVESA WINE ROUTE It's not every day you can sample wines aged in medieval caves. The wine-cel- lars in this region have successfully aa MARQUÉS DE RISCAL WINERY combined tradition with the avant-gar- ELCIEGO, ÁLAVA de. You should visit the towns of bb PLAZA DE LA VIRGEN BLANCA Samaniego, Elciego and Laguardia, the VITORIA capital of the region, all towns set amongst vineyards. LLFurther information: www.rutadelvinoderiojaalavesa.com Photo: jorisvo/123rf.com Photo: VITORIA The capital of both the Basque Country and the province of Álava is a charm- ing city. Explore the Ensanche district, paying special attention to the Plaza de los and the Paseo de la Florida. The magnificent historical old town is the heart and soul of the city which features a broad selection of bars and restaurants. LLFurther information: www.vitoria-gasteiz.org

21 BILBAO Photo: Bilbao Tourist Board Tourist Bilbao Photo:

aa TRAM HOW TO GET HOW TO GET THERE AROUND

AIRPORT BILBAO The Bilbao Metro has three fast, effi- is 12 kilometres from the cient lines connecting the city centre city centre and has connections with with the surrounding towns and villages the main cities in Spain and Europe. (just like the suburban trains). LLFurther information: , the municipal bus compa- www.aeropuertodebilbao.net ny, has 43 lines (27 conventional lines, 8 Auzolineas using minibuses and 8 TRAIN Gautxoris or night buses) and over 500 From the Bilbao-Abando railway sta- stops throughout the city. The conven- tion there are daily connections to tional lines and the Auzolineas (for spe- and and the oth- cific neighbourhoods) run from 6 am to er main cities in Spain. There are also 11 pm and the Gautxoris on Friday and three suburban lines connecting Bilbao Saturday nights from 11 pm to 6 am. with its metropolitan area and the rest You can also rent a bicycle, a healthy of the Basque Country. and sustainable way of getting around the city. Another eco-friendly option is ROAD to rent an electrical vehicle. The AP-8 toll motorway runs through LLFor more information go to: the Basque Country from the French www.metrobilbao.eus border to Bilbao and the toll-free A-8 highway runs along the rest of the LANGUAGE Cantabrian coast to . CO-OFFICIAL Two languages coexist in Bilbao: The AP-68, which runs through the Ebro Euskera, the Basque Country's own lan- Valley, connects you with Barcelona. guage, and Castilian Spanish, the official The AP-68 also takes you south, direct- language of the Spanish State. Most no- ly to Burgos and from there to Madrid, tices and signs are in Euskera with the Valladolid and Portugal. Spanish translation underneath.

22 FURTHER INFORMATION

BILBAO TOURIST OFFICE SPAIN TOURISM Plaza Circular, 1 OFFICIAL WEBSITE 48001 - BILBAO (Basque Country) www.spain.info [email protected] 23 www.bilbaoturismo.net BILBAO

MINISTERIO DE INDUSTRIA, COMERCIO TURESPAÑA Y TURISMO

24 @spain @spain Spain.info /spain