Top Things to See and Do in Bilbao, Bilbao, Spain

Up until the 1980s tourists had hardly heard of Bilbao, the capital of Spain’s Basque region. It was a port and industrial area, with a long history but little to attract visitors. However, all of that has changed, and Bilbao is now a thriving tourist destination, with lots of things to see and do, from history to modern architecture, from museums and art galleries to distinctive local cuisine.

Bilbao has an extensive and unspoilt old town (Casco Viejo). Originally a fishing port, the town was founded in 1300. It was based around seven main streets (the “Siete Calle”) in an area between the mountains and the Nervión river. Today you can wander the narrow streets with their distinctive wooden balconies, and enjoy the numerous shops, bars and restaurants.

The hub of the Casco Viejo is the Plaza Nueva, a smart square surrounded by bars. More modern, but not to be missed, is the Ribera Market, an Art Deco style hall with massive stained glass windows, built in 1929. Opposite the market look out for the painted arcades of the Calle Erribera. And, although most of the medieval city walls have now disappeared, you can see fragments built into the cathedral and into a house on the Calle Ronda. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).