Bilbao Travel Guide
For details of what to do and see in Bilbao, Spain check out our Bilbao guide to car hire in Bilbao.
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One of the largest ports in Spain, and for many years a major entry point for visitors to the country, Bilbao has, in recent years, been reinvented as a top tourist destination due to an ambitious construction boom.
The main attraction in Bilbao is somewhat inevitably the stunning Guggenheim museum. The award winning American architect Frank Gehry designed this spectacular building, and its curvilinear design is said to correspond to, and complement the nautical heritage of Bilbao. Whatever the reason behind the design, one thing is certain - the building is one of the most distinctive in the world, and a striking addition to the skyline of the city. Although the exterior threatens to over come whatever is inside, at the Guggenheim, the exhibits are world class, and include works by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Warhol amongst other equally well-regarded artists.
Other important attractions to see in Bilbao are mainly clustered in the Casco Vieja - the old town, where winding streets hide a panoply of treasures including medieval architecture, small cafes and wine bars where you can enjoy a glass or two of local Rioja with some of the residents.
Outside Bilbao, the Basque countryside is rugged and beautiful, with many small villages to see, each with their own unique character and traditions. Most notable of the Basque towns is perhaps Pamplona - with its notorious annual running of the bulls, and tomato throwing festival.