Bilbao on the Nervión. The river that the Basque writer Pío Barjoa desribed as the aortoa of the city. Of course you have to visit the Guggenheim museum and wander through the old city center Casco Viejo, but there is more, so much more to see. We selected: 10 Bilbao tips.

Bilbao tips from locals

1. Artxanda Funicular

For the first of our Bilbao tips we take you to the Artxanda Funicular to get an overall idea of the layout of the city. The cable car connects mount Arantxa with Bilbao. Here you can find some good  restaurants. It is a place where many Bilbaínos go for their traditional Sunday lunch. On clear days you can see the sea.

Down below you see the Nervión flowing underneath the Zubizuri bridge designed by Calatrava. The Guggenheim by Gehry and Jeff Koons’ puppy right next to it. And of course de old city that starts with the remarkable theatre Arriaga, named after the local Mozart. You will find the funicular on the right bank of the ricer, just past the Zubizuri bridge on Funikularreko Plaza. Leaves every 15 minutes and costs €1.

2. Swimming in the Alhóndiga

The Alhóndiga is a former wine warehouse in the Ensanche district. This district dates back from  the 20th century and was a built as an extansion to the old city. Here you find the big fashion chains but also Palacio Chavarri, a Neo-Renaissance palace, built in Flemish style and designed by the Belgian Art Nouveau architect Paul Hankar.

Casa Montero by Luis Aladrén, who designed it in Gaudi-style also screams for attention. And don’t forget the Carlton Ambassador, where the Basque government had its headquarters during the Spanish Civil War.

The Alhóndiga has been completely redesigned by Phillippe Starck and actually it already starts outside in the street where standard lamps and steal chairs guide you inside the building, where you can have a seat on illuminated white benches. There are cultural exhibitions, a multimedia library and a sports centre.

One of our best Bilbao tips is that you can swim above the heads of the visitors if you go to the pool on the top floor. From the benches below you can enjoy the view of people swimming. A remarkable feature is formed by the 43 pillars that support the building, each designed in a different style. On the top floor terrace of bar-restaurant Yandiola you have a magnificent view over the city.

3. To Portugalete on the push scooter

Bilbao is situated on a ria, a tidal river. From the city centre you can follow the river all the way to the sea. For a large part of the route you can use the excellent bicycle lane, but once you are  outside the city you have to be a bit more creative and zigzag along the river.

You pass the harbour with its cranes and warehouses, a reminder of Bilbao’s industrial past, and you have wonderful views of the mountains behind. In Portugalete you cross the famous “hanging bridge” to the other side of the river. It is a distance of about 14 kilometres to the sea.

4. Lunch in bistro Guggenheim

It goes without saying that you have to see the Guggenheim museum with its special architecture. But One of our other Bilbao tips is that you can also have wonderful meals at the museum? The bistro offers good food indoors or on their special terrace. We thought the food was a real highlight. For €35 they serve you a 3-course mail including wine. Or if you prefer a quick meal, they have a dish of the day for €18. Special diets or vegetarian food, everything is possible. Bistro Guggenheim.

5. Dining stars in Etxanobe

The Basque country and therefore Bilbao is well known for its excellent cuisine. So it’s not very surprising to find the most Michelin stars per square kilometre here. Fortunately, it is still affordable and you don’t have to make reservations years in advance.

A couple of weeks will usually do, for lunches even less. In Bilbao you can find Michelin star restaurant Etxanobe, on the top floor of the Euskalduna palace. They serve beautiful food and are not afraid to treating you to exciting molecular gastronomy. Paul Ibarra is the culinary hotshot.