Enjoy the unique skyline of Bilbao Spain when your cruise ship docks for the day. Bilbao is an industrial port city, rich with history, located in Northern Spain. It is surrounded with beautiful greenery and mountains. But also has a booming downtown scene that includes skyscrapers, contemporary museums and modern housing. It is also, for all intents and purposes, the capital city of the Basque Country. You certainly will not be without anything to do during your day in port.
Bilbao, Spain is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Vizcaya Bridge which was constructed in 1878 by Gustave Eiffel who was also the designer of the Eiffel Tower in Paris France. This beautiful architectural feat is 136 meters tall and it stretches 624 meters long. It crosses the Nervión River which separates Bilbao from the rest of Spain. It’s one of the most photographed bridges in all of Europe! If you take one trip to Spain this year make sure it’s to Bilbao!
Walk Around the Old Town
The Old Town is one of Bilbao’s main attractions and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Its winding streets, colorful facades and ironwork balconies help give it an old-world charm. In addition to its architecture, I recommend walking around Old Town because it has some great shops and restaurants.
Visit the Bilbao Museums
Art lovers will be thrilled by two world-class museums in Bilbao. Museo de Bellas Artes houses pieces by Picasso and El Greco. There are also works of renowned Basque artists such as Ramon Casas and Ignacio Zuloaga. Guggenheim Museum hosts traveling exhibits that spotlight contemporary art and architecture. Travelers can’t miss these must-see stops in their search for artistic masterpieces in Bilbao.
Guided Tour of Bilbao
There are plenty of tours you can take while visiting Bilbao. Guided tours are an excellent way to see all that Bilbao has to offer and avoid wasting time trying to figure out where things are. When you book a guided tour, you’ll get expert insight into what it is you’re looking at, plus pick up some valuable local knowledge on how best to explore afterwards.
Tour Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum is not just an art museum; it’s a work of art itself. Designed by Frank Gehry and based off his desire to make the perfect museum, its most popular attraction is its architecture—particularly its white exterior walls that contrast with trees and greenery surrounding it. The museum is also home to works by such influential artists as Salvador Dali and Joan Miro.
Etxebarria Park
Etxebarria Park is a perfect example of the changes the city made in itself – from industrial city to a place for natural outings.
Basque Cooking Lessons
In just two hours, you can take part in no only preparing, but enjoying your lunch or dinner under the guidance of well known local chefs. You will have a hands-on, interactive cooking lesson while enjoying local wine and learning the history and culture of the area.
