When in Bilbao, the one thing that is impossible to miss and essential to do is to walk down the Ria de Bilbao river, dross the bridge and spend time at the Guggenheim museum. Whether it’s just admiring the architecture from afar or going insider for one of the many exhibits that it hosts through out the year, it is a sight that one never forgets. Make sure to see the spider and puppy and perhaps take time to have a drink at the nearby park or one of the restaurants that border the museum.

The image shows the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, a modern architectural building with curvy metallic surfaces, situated beside a water body with a large spider sculpture and people gathered in the area.
A large bear-shaped sculpture made of colorful flowers stands outside a modern building, with people gathered around observing it.
View of Bilbao, Spain with the Guggenheim Museum in the foreground, a modern curved building made of titanium, and a tall glass skyscraper in the background on a cloudy day.
A river running through a city with buildings, trees, and a bridge in the background, a boat cruising on the water, and a cloudy sky overhead.
A cityscape featuring historic and modern buildings with a statue in the foreground on a cloudy day.
Cityscape with a river in the foreground, buildings along the riverbank, a hillside with trees in the background, and a partly cloudy sky overhead.
Cityscape with colorful buildings along a river, bridges crossing over, green hills in the background, and a partly cloudy sky.

The Nervion River, also called the Ria de Bilbao, is the essential part of Bilbao that splits it into basically the old and new town. It flows over 20 miles into the Cantabrian Sea and provides features iconic landmarks like the Guggenheim Museum, numerous bridges, and popular walking paths. One of the best routes is to start in the old town at the public market and then walk all the way down to the Guggenheim museum bridge which provides an iconic view of the city. On the other side, you can then walk into the new part of town which offers unlimited choices in shopping, sightseeing and restaurants. Make sure to stroll through the Arenal Park which hugs the one side of the river.

Everything seems to flow from one side or the other of the Bilbao river. If you head up the river, on the far side is the old town called Casco Viejo which means old town, full of shops, restaurants, bars and streets you can get lost in for hours. It includes the La Ribera Market right off the river which honestly is a half hour affair. Make sure to take a lunch break or more at the Plaza Nueva square. On the other side just down a bit is the iconic Bilbao train station which is a beautiful piece of stone. You can even take a river cruise and catch all of the sites while doing nothing.

Busy city street at night with a multi-story building decorated with Christmas lights and ornaments, pedestrians walking on the sidewalk.
Historic building with ornate architecture, a large clock, and stained glass windows, labeled 'F.C. SANTANDER BILBAO', located on a city street with modern high-rise buildings in the background.
A river with a boat traveling down it, lined with trees and city buildings, overcast sky, with a bridge in the background.
Baroque-style cathedral with twin towers and ornate facade against a clear blue sky.
Interior of a Gothic cathedral with high vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, and wooden pews arranged facing the altar at the front.
A historic church with a tall illuminated bell tower at night, with city buildings in the background.

As a big time Catholic country, I mean they even put the Pope to shame, there are awesome and amazing churches everywhere. The two worth mentioning in Bilbao is the Santiago Cathedral and the Church of San Anton. The old town 15th century Santiago Cathedral is considered the traditional burial place of Saint James, Jesus apostle. The San Anton which sits right off the river supposedly sits on a site that dates back to the founding of Bilbao in 1300. Both very church worthy!

Talk about cheap thrills, and I often do, in Bilbao you can take the tram that starts right at the river side and ride it all the way to the beach. As it cruises along the river side, you can get primo views of the other side and once you get to the Atlantic ocean, either jump in if it’s summer, or don’t and enjoy walking around the quaint beachside area of Getxo, which has a real ritzy side and a real real side with beachside restaurants and great views. You can even check out the Vizcaya bridge where cars are loaded on a sling and hauled across the river. No kidding!

Green and white tram on city street with historic buildings and pedestrians
View of a city waterfront with a suspension bridge overhead, high-rise buildings along the water, and a cable car in the water.
People walking along a waterfront promenade with benches and streetlights, surrounded by historic buildings and a calm body of water with rocks and a small bridge.
People relaxing and walking on a sandy beach with calm water, surrounded by green hills and a few buildings under a blue sky.
A historic building with ornate architecture in a city square, surrounded by pink tulip flowers and people sitting on benches near a fountain.
Historic ornate government or institutional building with classical architecture, decorative carvings, and multiple stories in an urban setting.
City street scene with historic buildings, cars, a red bus, and a statue on a pedestal during dusk.
People walking past a glass underground subway entrance with a tunnel design in an urban area at dusk, trees and buildings in the background.

To make everyone in your family, group or coven happy, Bilbao presents the Ensanche or expansion area of the city. Its the new town, created in the 19th century which compared to the old town makes it new! It is chock full of breathtaking architecture, beautiful small parks like the Dona Casilda Iturrizar, and grand vias like the Gran Via, Marques del Puerto and Rodriguez Arias streets for big time shopping, cafes or just strolling along. Some or most of our fav restaurants are there too.