No trip to Spain is complete without a visit to Bilbao, a city steeped in fascinating history and beautiful architecture. Located in the Basque Country, Bilbao is situated in the north central part of Spain. With so many sites and attractions to see when visiting Bilbao Spain, it can be hard to narrow down the list when planning a trip there.
Bilbao is not a natural beauty but makes up for it in fine arts and haute cuisine. This once unglamorous industrial port town was put on the tourist map by the Guggenheim Museum. Visitors flock to Bilbao just to see this famous contemporary art museum, which dazzles with its innovative modern architecture and extensive collection. Rivaling the Guggenheim in terms of artistic importance, Bilbao’s Museum of Fine Arts has an exceptional collection of paintings by the European masters. Two other excellent museums are dedicated to the culture and seafaring of the Basque region. The Basque Country is famous for its gastronomic tradition and Bilbao is no exception. The city boasts five Michelin-starred restaurants that serve the finest cuisine in exceptional dining rooms. Two of the restaurants are housed within major tourist attractions: Nerua Restaurant at the Guggenheim Museum and Etxanobe Restaurant at the Palacio Euskalduna.
Many of the city’s best known sights can be appreciated on a stroll around the cobbled lanes of Bilbao’s Casco Viejo (Old Town). Buildings to watch out for include the Teatro Arriaga, an elegant building that hosts many of the city’s famed operatic events as well as theatrical performances; and the city’s Gothic cathedral. Be sure to pay a visit to the Art Nouveau design of the Mercado de la Ribera, a bustling market place stuffed with fresh produce.
