10 Ideas for things to do in Bilbao
by timtregenza
OK, so you are in Bilbao, now what? Here are some suggestions:
1) The Guggenheim (have dinner there if (a) you can afford it and (b) you can get a reservation.
2) Museo Bella Artes (don't forget to have a coffee in the cafe overlooking the park afterwards).
3) Wander round the Casco Viejo sampling the bar culture. Best times, either Sunday around 1pm (refined), or Friday about 11pm (drunken)
4) Go up the furnicular railway to Artxanda (every 15 minutes throughout the day). Great views. Also bars and restaurants.
5) Go to San Mames to watch Athletic. (or watch in a bar, preferably a Pena bar if you cannto get in).
6) Go to the river museum (if you like industrial history|).
7) Walk along the river from the Feve station (opposite the Theatre Arriaga) to the Ship museum, then get the tram back.
8) Do some shopping down Gran Via and Rodriguex Arias (that runs parallel).
9) Go to the Theatre Arriaga for a show (theatre modelled on the Paris opera) or to the Euskalduna (modelled on a shipyard!)
10) Get the Metro out to Plentzia and walk along the river to the sea (about 1km)
Architecture in Bilbao
by DanielF
If the Guggenheim effect cannot be denied, it would be too simplistic to believe that the renaissance of Bilbao is owed exclusively to the works of star architects like Calatrava, Foster or Gehry. No matter how grandly conceived the museum and other spectacular pieces of architecture were, nothing would have happened without an ambitious and audacious urban planning that has been on for more than one decade and which has transformed almost all the boroughs in the city.
What is more, even before the arrival of the world-class architects, Bilbao and its Ensanche in particular was a space of high architectural value. Excellent Bilbaino architects have left a legacy of fine buildings which bears almost no comparison in other cities of similar size. Achúcarro, Ispizua, Galíndez, Chapa, Rucoba, Gimón, Amann, Smith, Alardén, and many others, fueled by an entrepreneurial bourgeoisie, have designed the most amazing buildings in a variety of styles, ranging form eclecticism to rationalism and expressionism or art deco.
5 Play areas for children
by timtregenza
OK, Bilbao is great for adults, but what if your kids want to run around. Here are some ideas:
1) The new playground at the Guggenheim (next to Guggenheim tram stop). Sexy play equipment for all ages and water to play with too!
2) Parque Dona Casilda - off gran via next to the Museum of Fine Artes (Bella artes). Playground + ducks to feed + carousel.
3) Parque Ametzola - Near the bull ring. Play equipment for the kids, and cafes with tables outside so adults can sit and watch them
4) Plaza Bizkaia - Paved area with play equipment between Urquijo and Pozas (near the Alondiga)
5) Parque Etxebarria - Large open space up the lift to Begona
Carnaval
by timtregenza
Carnaval, celebrated the weekend before Lent is when everyone dresses up and has a good time. The emphasis is on the family enjoying things together.
BIlbao puts on children's activities as well as many other things, including parades and fancy dress competitions. Oh, and lots of drinking and eating.
Aste Nagusia
by DanielF
The Semana Grande or Aste Nagusia (Great Week) is Bilbao's main popular festival. It is held every August (in the week of the 15th). It is not really an old tradition or something unique from Bilbao: just nine activity-filled days with music concerts, fireworks, food stands on the streets and lots of people and noise everywhere.
Loads of fun for people who enjoy crowds and getting drunk on the street and horror for the rest.
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Old Town Street #1
Formal Planted Gardens
Guggenheim Bilbao, Interior, December 2002
Bilbao
