Bilbao Area Guide

Historic Bilbao is the largest and liveliest city in the Basque region of northern Spain. As well as having a backdrop of rolling green hills and being close to the coast and nearby beaches, it has a rich legacy of old buildings and culture based around Old Town in the Casco Viejo area. It also has some impressive contemporary architecture with the spectacular Guggenheim Museum making Bilbao one of Spain's most exciting cities.

Bilbao also offers an impressive selection of restaurants and shops, together with nightlife to rival any city. The city is divided by the River Nervión with eight main districts which can be broadly grouped into two regions: the Old Quarter (Casco Viejo) and New Town (Ensanche). Casco Viejo is full of historic buildings, narrow alleyways, tapas bars and street entertainment, while Ensanche stands closer to the Nervión River and is home to the commercial district and main railway and bus stations.

We have put together an article on all the attractions in Bilbao and the surrounding areas, so to help you decide which of them you want to see during your visit this guide will help you to plan your stay

 

To find out where the best coves and stretches of sand are in this area, read our Bilbao beaches guide to see which are the most suitable ones for you and your family.

 

There are three golf courses just outside Bilbao which offer amenities for all levels of golfer. To find out which is the best one for you and book your game in advance visit out guide to golf courses in Bilbao

 

The País Vasco region is renowned for its excellent cuisine, and Bilbao is full of excellent places to eat, from small bars serving delicious tapas (or pinxtos) to exclusive restaurants. For a full description of some of the best places to eat in Bilbao which come highly recommended visit our Bilbao Restaurant Guide

 

Bilbao is a great place to shop for antiques, local ceramics, leather goods and clothes. They are also famous for their exquisite cakes and pastries. To find out where the main shopping areas are and when the local markets are held visit our shopping guide to Bilbao.

 

If you are planning to explore the area outside of the city centre and play some golf or go to some of the more out of the way beaches then you might consider hiring a car. There are a number of car hire firms based at Bilbao Airport who will be pleased to have a vehicle awaiting your arrival. This also cuts down on transfer costs for you and your family.

We have local knowledge and have provided detailed information on sporting and leisure amenities in Bilbao including an Area Guide which includes the best Bilbao Shopping, Bilbao Markets, Bilbao Golf Courses, the different types of Bilbao Beaches, recommended Bilbao Restaurants and Local Attractions in Bilbao