Bilbao, a picturesque port city surrounded by mountains in northern Spain, is best known for its stunning Guggenheim Museum. Designed by Frank Gehry, the museum houses a rich collection of modern and contemporary art. Other museums worth visiting in the city include the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum and the Euskal Museoa Bilbao Basque Museum. The city’s historic heart, Casco Viejo, is a charming spot filled with narrow lanes, delightful squares, and impressive buildings. It’s an ideal place to explore and shop for souvenirs, local cuisines, and other goods. The city’s cuisine is another attraction, featuring pintxos (small, savoury snacks), seafood, and a wide variety of dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Bilbao is also home to numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, making it a food lover’s paradise. Other notable attractions in the city include the Basilica of Begona, the Palacio de la Diputacion, the Azkuna Zentroa, the Plaza Nueva, and the opera house Teatro Arriaga Antzokia.
Nearby Places to Visit: Bilbao’s location in the Basque Country of northern Spain provides access to a rich cultural and natural heritage. This includes the stunning Guggenheim Museum Bilbao itself, the charming coastal towns of San Sebastián (Donostia) known for its beaches and culinary scene, the historic city of Vitoria-Gasteiz (the capital of the Basque Country), the picturesque Basque coastline with its dramatic cliffs and fishing villages, and the famous Puente Colgante Vizcaya (a UNESCO World Heritage transporter bridge), to name a few.
How To Reach: Take a flight from any metropolitan in India to a major European airport like Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) or Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN) in Spain. From Madrid, Bilbao is approximately a 3.5 to four-hour drive or accessible by high-speed train (AVE). From Barcelona, it’s roughly a 5.5 to six-hour drive or accessible by train or bus. Flying directly to Bilbao Airport (BIO) with a layover in a major European hub is also an option.
Best Time To Visit: June to September offers the warmest and driest weather, ideal for exploring the city and the surrounding coastal areas, with average temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. July and August are the warmest months. The shoulder seasons of April-May and October can also be pleasant with fewer crowds, although there might be a higher chance of occasional rain.
