3 DAYS

Bilbao
City Break

Guggenheim & Riverside – Casco Viejo & Mount Artxanda – Getxo, Bizkaia Bridge & Santiago Cathedral

Day 1. Guggenheim & Riverside

On arrival at Bilbao Airport you will be welcomed by our chauffer and then transfer to the hotel, followed by a day on your own. Today you can explore this vibrant port city in Northern Spain, regarded as the cultural heart of the Basque country. Once a centre for heavy industry, it has been transformed into a world-class art and architectural destination. You can start your artistic infusion by checking out the famous Guggenheim Museum Bilbao — Frank Gehry's titanium masterpiece featuring a vast array of modern and contemporary art and the Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao which is housed entirely within the city's Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park. Then take it down a notch with a relaxing stroll along the Nervión riverside, where you can see a number of outdoor sculptures (Puppy, Maman spider), before ending the day in the lively atmosphere of the bars and restaurants in the Plaza Nueva.

Day 2. Casco Viejo & Mount Artxanda

Breakfast at the hotel before a guided tour through Casco Viejo (Siete Calles), the medieval heart of the city and its oldest neighbourhood. Originally founded over 700 years ago with just three parallel streets, it has expanded to seven historic, pedestrian-friendly lanes packed with local shops, traditional pintxo bars and rich architectural heritage. Enjoy a mid-day visit to the Mercado de la Ribera — one of Europe's largest covered markets, where you can enjoy a great river view from the balcony of one of its traditional restaurants. Take a tour of Itsasmuseum, which charts Bilbao's rich naval history before getting aboard the Artxanda Funicular for the ride to the summit of Mount Artxanda for wonderful panoramic views across the whole city at sunset. Return to the old town or Plaza Neuva for dinner at one of the city's atmospheric restaurants.

Day 3. Getxo, Bizkaia Bridge & End of Tour

Breakfast at the hotel as a prelude to your visit to Getxo, an affluent coastal town located just 20 kilometers from Bilbao. It features scenic cliffs and sandy beaches, a delightful old port and opulent architectural heritage from the 19th century, including the world-famous Bizkaia Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Return to Bilbao and enjoy a tour of another UNESCO World Heritage site, the city's Santiago Cathedral which dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries and is dedicated to James the Great. Sample some final local delicacies before a private transfer to Bilbao Airport for your onward travel.

Must see

ATTRACTIONS

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Bilbao

★★★★★

Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao
Hotel Meliá Bilbao
Hotel Carlton Bilbao

★★★★

Hotel Silken Indautxu
Barceló Nervión Bilbao
NH Collection Villa de Bilbao

★★★

Hotel Igeretxe
Vincci Consulado de Bilbao
Hotel Sercotel Amara

Must try

FOOD

Bacalao al Pil-Pil

A traditional Basque dish that is made with bacalao, garlic and olive oil; the cod is gently poached in olive oil and served with an emulsion sauce, 'pil pil', which is made from the olive oil, the cod's natural juices and gelatin; this dish has been popular in Northern Spain for centuries.

Marmitako

A fish stew traditionally eaten by tuna fishermen on board boats in the Bay of Biscay and Cantabrian Sea; in its modern form, it combines fresh albacore tuna with potatoes, onions, green peppers, dried choricero peppers and tomatoes.

Pintxos

A typical snack of the Basque Country consisting of small slices of bread upon which an ingredient or mixture of ingredients – typically fish, tortilla de patatas, stuffed peppers or croquettes – is fastened with a toothpicks; usually eaten as an appetizer, Pintxos are common in taverns where a variety of the snacks are usually served on a tray at the bar.

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