Bilbao Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Bilbao

I really liked Bilbao. It is a city that you can easily walk around. The highlight of course is the Guggenheim museum but it's wrth a visit in its own right too. We have a 2 year old and it was a great place for him as there was a playground on almost everywhere we looked. The city felt...more I really liked Bilbao. It is a city that you can easily walk around. The highlight of course is the Guggenheim museum but it's wrth a visit in its own right too. We have a 2 year old and it was a great place for him as there was a playground on almost everywhere we looked. The city felt really safe, was very clean and we enjoyed wandering around the streets for a couple of days. It's also close to some nice beaches....we drove (10 minutes) to one....but I believe the metro will take you there too.close

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by pingle – posted on Sep 27, 2007

2

The weather was miserable. It was raining and healing. Extremely cold. The sightseeing could be very nice in a sunshine day. get into the funicular to go up the hill from where you can see the coastline, and the all city. It doesn't feel like been in Spain at all. It was like any other...more The weather was miserable. It was raining and healing. Extremely cold. The sightseeing could be very nice in a sunshine day. get into the funicular to go up the hill from where you can see the coastline, and the all city. It doesn't feel like been in Spain at all. It was like any other central european country. I guess that the really Spainard feeling is really down south. Even do the poeple are very respectful. I wouldn't reccomend staying more than two nights.close

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by javiergrieco2082 – posted on Mar 20, 2007

4

Bilbao seemed to be a really young city. Virtually everyone was younger than 30 and most had strollers. There were plenty of beautiful parks in which to sit while wondering through the city. The sites along the river were a mix of very urban city and extremely beautiful architecture &...more Bilbao seemed to be a really young city. Virtually everyone was younger than 30 and most had strollers. There were plenty of beautiful parks in which to sit while wondering through the city. The sites along the river were a mix of very urban city and extremely beautiful architecture & landscape. And if you're not a fan of walking, there is plenty of mass transit.close

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by tab126 – posted on Feb 9, 2007

14

Not being a party animal, I can´t comment on the nightlife. However, the city with its art & architure is fabulous. Great place to wander & absorb the culture. I don´t believe it´s given enough of a write up in guide books as its got way more to offer than just the...more Not being a party animal, I can´t comment on the nightlife. However, the city with its art & architure is fabulous. Great place to wander & absorb the culture. I don´t believe it´s given enough of a write up in guide books as its got way more to offer than just the Guggenheim.close

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by colleen5313 – posted on Nov 1, 2006

2

Bilbao is not a place for the average tourist. Outside of the guggenheim (which really is beautiful) there are very few english speakers. We visited between the 7th and 14th of October which was unfortuantely a national holiday week so the transport timetable was running as it would on a sunday...more Bilbao is not a place for the average tourist. Outside of the guggenheim (which really is beautiful) there are very few english speakers. We visited between the 7th and 14th of October which was unfortuantely a national holiday week so the transport timetable was running as it would on a sunday and all of the shops were closed along with the more unique basque restaurants. We spent a few days in san sebastian which really made up for the lack of activities in Bilbao. I wouldn´t come again without a better grasp of the language.close

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by edelmq – posted on Oct 7, 2006

5

Offers good value for money, but you might find the immediate area seady and down-at-heal. If you just want a basic good room with comfortable room/bed this should do you fine. You may find getting in can be a problem-there's no reception area, and you have to carry any luggage up the stairs, as...more Offers good value for money, but you might find the immediate area seady and down-at-heal. If you just want a basic good room with comfortable room/bed this should do you fine. You may find getting in can be a problem-there's no reception area, and you have to carry any luggage up the stairs, as your not allowed to use lift [residents only!]close

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by philfrance – posted on Sep 16, 2006

6

Me encantaron las fiestas Grandes de Bilbao del 2006, el euskera es promocionado en sus fiestas, las actividades culturales son aptas para todos los públicos, se da una gran mezcla de personas de todas las edades. La gente puede participar en todo tipo de actos, desde teatro hasta conciertos...more Me encantaron las fiestas Grandes de Bilbao del 2006, el euskera es promocionado en sus fiestas, las actividades culturales son aptas para todos los públicos, se da una gran mezcla de personas de todas las edades. La gente puede participar en todo tipo de actos, desde teatro hasta conciertos reivindicaciones socioculturales. INCREÍBLES!!!!close

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by llelle – posted on Aug 25, 2006

2

Bilbao is changing exponentially in the last decade. It was primarily an industrial city and when many of those businesses shut down, Bilbao had to adapt or die. It has adapted by adding a few arquitectual pieces and slowly becoming the convention centre city. It is a city to visit a couple of...more Bilbao is changing exponentially in the last decade. It was primarily an industrial city and when many of those businesses shut down, Bilbao had to adapt or die. It has adapted by adding a few arquitectual pieces and slowly becoming the convention centre city. It is a city to visit a couple of days on your way from or to somewhere else or during their Great Week (their local festivity where the whole city parties like crazy) as these people really know how to have fun.close

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by monicape – posted on Aug 22, 2006

16

The food is great and way cheaper than the rest of Spain. The weather was great and the landscape was much greener than the rest of Spain. Casco Viejo, the old part of the city,is really fun to party in. Short train ride to Plentzia and Gorliz beaches by metro....well worth it. Another fun...more The food is great and way cheaper than the rest of Spain. The weather was great and the landscape was much greener than the rest of Spain. Casco Viejo, the old part of the city,is really fun to party in. Short train ride to Plentzia and Gorliz beaches by metro....well worth it. Another fun side trip was to Mundaca and Bermeo, both are beach/port cities.close

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by isurfw – posted on Aug 4, 2006

2

Bilbao is generally a pretty average small city. It has some nice old buildings, a lot of new buildings, but not much "heart". The old part of town is really sweet and pretty though - well worth a wander around. The guggenhein makes a stay in bilbao worthwhile though - if you are a modern art...more Bilbao is generally a pretty average small city. It has some nice old buildings, a lot of new buildings, but not much "heart". The old part of town is really sweet and pretty though - well worth a wander around. The guggenhein makes a stay in bilbao worthwhile though - if you are a modern art buff, you need at least a whole day to see this place!close

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by mpakul – posted on Jul 30, 2006

14