The world-famous Guggenheim museum draws many art lovers to Bilbao. First-time visitors are often surprised to learn how much more hip Bilbao has to offer. At its core is a lovely town with an old-fashioned Spanish atmosphere. Visit the charming old neighbourhood of Casco Viejo, the Nervión river or enjoy the great views from atop Mount Artxanda. The area around Bilbao is also extremely beautiful and is easily be reached with public transportation. Or rent a car and explore the region yourself. With Transavia Holidays, it’s easy to book a fully-insured rental car along with your flight, accommodation or activities. Everything taken care of in a single booking: how easy is that?
Book flight + hotelBilbao is home to the largest covered market hall in Europe, the Mercado de Ribera, which has an impressive three storeys. Locals come here to shop or enjoy some pintxos with a glass of wine. Pintxos are the Basque version of tapas and consist of a slice of bread with all kinds of tasty toppings. Some are tiny works of art, but they are always delicious! From the market, it’s only a short stroll into the old town. Admire the many historic buildings and charming squares. Hungry? Here you will also find many great pintxo bars. Also stop by the lively Plaza Nueva with nice shops, restaurants and patios. Whether its for a night on the town or a good old-fashioned pub crawl, Casco Viejo is definitely the place to be.
Bilbao is a fantastic destination for a city break, but also a great choice for beautiful beaches with plenty of options for active travellers. For the best sunbathing, head to Playa de Plentzia. Playa Salvaje is a good spot for surfing, beach volleyball and even paragliding. But there are other beaches in the area as well. Most are easily accessible by public transportation or car. Hikers can trek along the coast for a scenic walk past various beaches.
There is so much to see and do in Bilbao’s city centre. You can easily spend several action-packed days here. Prefer to get away from the hustle and bustle? No problem! How about a ride to the top of Mount Atxanda in the classic cable car (funicular)? More athletic types can hike to the summit and stop along the way to take in great views of the city. Listen to the sounds of nature and breathe the fresh air in this green paradise. From here, you have a panoramic view over the city, the airport and the sea. Do as the locals and bring a picnic basket. Whether you’re looking for culture, sports or sun and nightlife: Bilbao never disappoints!