Is it worth going to Bilbao?
As we were driving around West Europe and stopped in San Sebastian, we thought it might be fun to stop in Bilbao, as it is less than an hour away. But is it worth going to Bilbao? For Kenny, it was his first time in Bilbao, and for me, it was my second time. I can remember that my first visit to Bilbao was really amazing. However, after visiting San Sebastian, I wasn’t that sure anymore.
Bilbao, maybe the hub of Basque Country, industrious and arty. You can easily spend two days or more in Bilbao. Explore the compact old quarter or devote your time at the riverbanks of the New Town. Like many European cities, Bilbao is very walkable, but just in case bring an umbrella, because it can be pretty wet over here, even during summertime. So, is it worth going to Bilbao?
The famous Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Bilbao is maybe best known for the magnificent Guggenheim Museum. For lovers of modern art and architecture, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is an absolute must-visit. Bilbao is considered a remarkable choice for what became the third museum under the banner of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. This non-profit organization already had the Guggenheim Museum in New York City and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. In 1990, when the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation announced it was seeking a new location for a third branch, the Basque government proposed in February to establish the Guggenheim in the port city of Bilbao. At that time, Bilbao was already engaged in urban renewal plans. Its construction took no less than four years and required an investment of approximately $100 million, funded by the Basque government. A magnificent museum like the Guggenheim would be a perfect addition to Bilbao’s ambitious efforts to make the city more appealing to both residents and tourists. And it worked. Since 1997, this museum has proudly stood in the city of Bilbao along the Nervión River. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao welcomes over 1 million visitors annually, making it by far the most important attraction in both Bilbao and the Basque Country.
It was my second time at the museum and I was still impressed by the architecture of the building. It’s so unique and modern at the same time. Kenny was also very impressed by the outside of the building. It is really worth to take your time to admire the magnificent Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. There are also some art pieces outside of the museum that you can admire. Such as the world famous spider, Maman or the Flower Puppy. Then the inside of the museum. Is it worth to pay a visit to the museum? Firstly, book your tickets online to skip the queue. Thank us later. The museum has various exhibitions and always a temporary one. The first time I was lucky, because I really enjoyed the exhibition. The second time, not so much. To be completely honest, we enjoyed the architecture of the building much more than the exhibitions. But to each its own.
Of course there are more museums for the more cultural travelers, such as the Museo de Bellas Artes or Euskal Museoa.
Bar hopping at the pintxos scene
In case you have been to San Sebastian, you have been spoiled for life (trust us on this one). The whole Basque Country is famous for its fantastic and one-of-a-kind cuisine. For us, San Sebastian is the winner. However, Bilbao doesn’t disappoint either, it also has a reputable pintxos scene. You just need to put a little bit more work into it, but nothing that you can’t manage.
Start at the beautiful Plaza Nueva and end your bar hopping at Plaza de Federico Moyua. At Plaza Nueva you can enjoy the architecture, but there are also many pintxos bars. If you see a queue with locals, then that is your sign that it is a good bar. We enjoyed Café-Bar Bilbao and El Globo (just make sure to order the warm fresh pintxos). We liked the atmosphere of Sorginzulo, but we were not impressed about their pintxos. Our absolute favorite was Ledesma No 5. In case you don’t mind deviating from the route, Gure Toki is also a very good one. Of course there are many many many more. Try to find your favorite.
Watching a football match at the Estadio San Mamés
Besides food we also always try to see if we can add a match to our itinerary. Because just like food, sport is life. This one you don’t want to miss, even in case you aren’t a football fan. Watching a football match at the Estadio San Mamés is one of Bilbao’s great experiences. The atmosphere in the stadium is amazing right from the gecko. The home side, Athletic Bilbao, is one of Spain’s most successful clubs, and one of the only three to have never been relegated from La Liga (along with Real Madrid and Barcelona). But what it sets it apart – and makes its achievements even more impressive – is its unique policy of only signing Basque Players. If you don’t manage to get tickets for a game, make sure to watch it from a pintxo bar. Trust us, you will not regret it.
Enjoy a day trip
There are many day trips you can enjoy from Bilbao. One that we recommend is visiting San Sebastian. There are other options and for the beach lovers, the beach is very close by.
Where to stay
In case you don’t know where to stay, Latroupe la Granja is a fantastic hostel with very affordable private rooms. It’s clean and in a great location. In case you fancy something a bit more luxurious, but still affordable, than Catalonia Gran Via might be a good alternative.
Is it worth visiting Bilbao? We would say: Yes! In our experience, Bilbao offers a perfect mix of modern art, history, and Basque culture that makes it a must-see destination.
