The original location of Bilbao was on the eastern side of the River Nerbion, but the necessary expansion of the city in the 19th century saw the core of the city being developed on the other side, now sometimes referred to as 'El Ensanche', the Enlargement.
Bilbao is Spain's sixth-largest city and biggest port. Surrounded by green mountains, this city sits amidst the beautiful Basque countryside. The Basque language ~ Euskera ~ is undergoing something of a revival, being the main language taught in schools in the Basque region.
The Guggenheim Museum is one of the prime reasons many people visit the city. Designed by American architect Frank Gehry and called "the beast" by some locals because of its bizarre shape, the contraversial new $100 million museum is, nonetheless, quite amazing (see below). Because of the attraction of the museum and the visitors it brings, Bilbao has been transformed from a small industrial Basque port to the latest European city-break hotspot, where you will find fine food, art and buzzing nightlife.
Most of the city can be viewed in a day or two. The Casco Viejo, or Old Quarter, is full of traditional shops and funky cafés and has a handful of smaller museums scattered around which are also worth a look. However, Avant-garde art, fashion, music and leisure are an everyday affair in Bilbao. Bilbao has also become an attractive night spot for young people, adding new initiatives like the city council's Bilbao-Gaua (Bilbao-Night) to the traditional nightclubs, bars, and clubbing areas. Each weekend, this nightly leisure programme offers numerous activities to young people.
A new metro system has been introduced into the city, under the supervision of British architect, Norman Foster.
Located in Gernika, 33 kms (22 miles) outside Bilbao, the is Basque Country Museum, opened by the Vizcaya regional government, to highlight the culture and history of the Basque people. As well as paintings, etchings and maps from the 16th to the 20th centuries, you will also see furniture, models and documents.
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Guggenheim Museum ~ Standing on the banks of the River Nervion and constructed of titanium and limestone, this amazing museum has 18 galleries displaying spectacular large-scale works by the most prominent artists of the last 40 years. Much of the 10,560sq m of display space is given over to significant 20th century paintings and sculptures by from the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation in New York, although there is an emphasis on Spanish, and more specifically, Basque, artists.
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Santiago Cathedral ~ The oldest building in Bilbao, this 15th century Gothic cathedral was built on top of an old site that dates back to the Santiago pilgrimages.
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Zezen Museoa ~ This museum, dedicated to bullfighting, opened in 1995, on the site of the Vista Alegre Bullring. Following events in bullfighting history in Bilbao and Vizcaya, the collection includes bullfighting outfits, swords and other tools used by famous matadors. Besides museum, visitors can take the guided tour to the bullring itself, the chapel, the bullfighters' locker room, the corral and other areas.
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Kiosko del Arenal ~ This beautiful Art Deco bandstand is worth a look, standing in the San Nicholas de Bari gardens in the old town, where live outdoor concerts are given in the summer.
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Euskal Herria Museoa ~ Basque Country Museum, dedicated to the culture and art of the Basque region. See above.
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San Sebastian ~ The lovely beach at San Sebastian is approximately one hour away.
