We love a good city break, and Bilbao? Absolute winner. Nestled in the Basque Country, this little gem is perfect for a whirlwind weekend. It’s got everything – cool art, fab food, and streets you’ll just want to wander. Here’s how we crammed as much as humanly possible into two days.
Day 1: Art, Architecture, and an Awful Lot of Walking
We landed Friday night, so Saturday morning started strong with coffee and croissants at a cute riverside café (Bilbao knows how to do a good coffee, by the way). Then it was straight to the Guggenheim Museum. And yes, it’s every bit as amazing as people say. The building itself is like something from the future – all swooping titanium and reflective surfaces – and inside, we got lost in some incredible modern art. Even if contemporary art isn’t your thing, just wandering around is an experience.
Pro tip: Don’t miss Puppy, Jeff Koons’ massive flower-covered dog outside. Yes, we took a lot of selfies.
From there, we strolled along the Nervión River, past some other cool landmarks like the Zubizuri Bridge (fancy, futuristic vibes) and the quirky Azkuna Zentroa. It’s an old wine warehouse that’s now full of art installations, a rooftop pool, and bars. Very “Bilbao reinventing itself.”
By late afternoon, we’d worked up an appetite, so it was time for pintxos (like tapas, but cooler). Casco Viejo, the old town, is the place for this. You just hop from bar to bar, grabbing tiny plates of tasty food – think grilled prawns, jamón, and little skewers of olives and anchovies. Wash it down with a glass of txakoli (light, fizzy white wine), and you’re golden.
Day 2: Culture, Views, and More Food
Sunday kicked off with a visit to the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, which is like the Guggenheim’s older, more traditional cousin. It’s smaller, but packed with amazing works – perfect for an hour or two. From there, we wandered through Doña Casilda Park, which is super chilled with fountains and greenery.
Next up: Mount Artxanda. The funicular ride up is half the fun (and a great excuse to rest your legs after all that walking). At the top, you’re treated to some unreal views of the city, with the Guggenheim gleaming in the distance. It’s also a good spot for lunch – we found a little place serving hearty Basque dishes.
The rest of the afternoon was spent wandering Casco Viejo again because honestly? We couldn’t get enough. There’s something magical about its winding streets and colourful buildings. We also grabbed a last round of pintxos, because why not?
Why We’ll Be Back
Bilbao is one of those cities that hits the sweet spot – small enough to explore in a weekend but packed with personality. Between the art, food, and friendly vibe, we were sold. If you’re looking for a city break that’s a little different, we can’t recommend it enough.
Next time? We’re definitely checking out more of the Basque Country. But for now, we’re still dreaming about pintxos and the Guggenheim.
Bilbao, we’ll see you again soon.
