Bilbao is a big and busy city in the Basque Country and it lies on Ria Nervion. The city is wedged into the lush green hills of Vizcaya province. It is sliced in two by the murky waters of Ria de Bilbao, which is the Nervion’s channel to the sea.
This is a culturally dynamic, stress-free, civilized, vital and vibrant city that everyone dreams of.
A Little Bit of History
This port was given the status of a city in 1300 and its inhabitants developed strong trade links with cities like Boston with the conquest of the Americas.
A Street in Bilbao
By the nineteenth century, the city’s skyline was dominated by the smokestacks of its shipbuilding yards, steelworks and chemical plants.
Due to its industries, this city was considered the greatest prize in the north. In 1937 it was taken by Franco and it prospered under him as it fed Spanish industrial needs.
Although the city declined economically after this period, it has dynamically recovered in recent years.
Semana Grande is the main festival here and the celebration lasts for 9 days. It includes firework displays, street entertainments, bullfighting, strongman games and music performances.
Teatro Arriaga, Bilbao
Other popular festivals are: Carnival, Fiestas, Virgen del Carmen, FANT Festival and International Film Festival.
Bilbao gives you the opportunity to buy great souvenirs of this region, or relax in many of its bars and restaurants with local specialties.
Where is Bilbao?
- 38.4 miles/ 61.9 km from Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- 62.7 miles/ 101 km from San Sebastian, Spain
- 208.1 miles/ 335 km from Bordeaux, France
- 249.7 miles/ 402 km from Madrid, Spain
- 7.4 miles/ 12 km from Bilbao Airport, Spain
- 59.4 miles/ 95.7 km from Santander Airport, Spain
- 90.7 miles/ 146 km from Biarritz Anglet Bayonne Airport, France
Things to See
- Museo Guggenheim
- Cathedral
- Casco Viejo
- Begona Basilica
- Museo de Bellas Artes
- Funicular Ride
- Arriaga Theater
- Zubizuri Bridge
- Dona Casilda Park
Beaches
- Sopelana
- Azkorri
- Plentzia
Excursions
- San Sebastian
- Elorrio, Oinati and Arantzazu
- Scenic Flight
The locals of Bilbao are sophisticated but down-to-earth, and the rich Basque culture matches many of the rich international cultures.
The local cuisine is lip-smacking and there is nonstop partying in its nightclubs.
We wish you a fantastic Mediterranean cruise!
