Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Bilbao, an urban gem nestled in the heart of the Basque Country, unfolding between modernity and tradition.
We’ll guide you through what to see in Bilbao, a city that reinvented itself after the 1983 flood with a cultural and architectural renaissance and awaits you with open arms.
Explore with us the richness of its architecture, from the old town, with its narrow streets steeped in history, to the bold contemporary structures that have transformed the cityscape. Located in northern Spain, Bilbao is a living testimony to the fusion of an industrial past and an artistic and culinary avant-garde that puts it on the world map.
In this guide, we’ll take you on a journey to discover the best of Bilbao. You’ll see its impressive heritage, from the San Antón Bridge to the Ribera Market, and immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture. Get ready to experience the highlights of Bilbao, where every corner tells a story.
A journey through history. What to see in Bilbao in a morning
Origins and Foundation
Bilbao, the vibrant city located in the north of Spain, has its roots in the year 1300 when it was founded by Don Diego López de Haro. Situated at the mouth of the River Nervión, it took advantage of its strategic location for maritime trade and the export of iron from the Biscayan quarries. Over the centuries, Bilbao flourished as an important commercial port, growing in wealth and population.
The Industrial Age
The 19th century marked the beginning of intense industrialisation in Bilbao. The city became the heart of the region’s steel, shipbuilding and mining industries, leading to considerable urban expansion. However, the decline of industry in the 1980s challenged the city economically, necessitating a significant transformation.
Renaissance and Transformation
Bilbao’s renaissance materialised with the construction of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, a masterpiece by architect Frank Gehry that opened in 1997. This project not only changed Bilbao’s image, but also revitalised its economy through tourism, making it a cultural landmark to see in Bilbao. This phenomenon, known as the “Guggenheim effect”, spurred further urban and cultural developments.
Bilbao Today: A Modern City
Today, Bilbao is an example of modernisation and urban revitalisation. The old town, with its mix of history and modernity, offers a vibrant atmosphere with pintxo bars, shops and historic buildings. The city continues to expand with projects such as the Euskalduna Palace and the renovation of the Ribera Market.
Culture and Tourism
Visiting Bilbao today means exploring a city that has managed to transform and adapt. From its rich cultural heritage to its vibrant art and food scene, Bilbao invites visitors to discover all it has to offer. Places like the Guggenheim Museum, the old town, and modern cultural facilities are just some of the must-see attractions in Bilbao.
Every corner of Bilbao offers something unique, from its art and architecture to its famous gastronomy, making it a fascinating and diverse tourist destination on the map of Spain.
WHAT TO SEE IN BILBAO IN A MORNING. 13 KEY SITES.
Continue with us and discover what to see in Bilbao, from its bridges to its churches and markets. Walk through these 13 essential places to know what to see in Bilbao.
CONVENT OF LA ENCARNACIÓN
We begin our visit at the Convent of La Encarnación, which began to be built in 1913 and took 13 years to complete, with a church and a cloister.
The church was built thanks to donations from wealthy families who lived in the town and wanted to have graves in the convent. Another purpose was to serve Dominican nuns and today it is run by Dominican priests.
The cloister currently houses the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art.
The church is also used for classical music recitals and the Renaissance style of the façade stands out.
The Convent of the Incarnation has also played an important role in the religious and social life of Bilbao, serving not only as a place of prayer and contemplation, but also as an integral part of the community, being involved in education and social assistance. Over the years, it has witnessed and been part of the evolution of the city, adapting to the changing times while maintaining its traditions and spiritual practices.
Although not as visited as other more emblematic monuments, a key point to see in Bilbao, the Convent of the Incarnation offers a unique glimpse into the religious heritage and historical continuity at the heart of a city that has undergone a profound transformation from its industrial roots to become a centre of art and culture.
SAN ANTÓN BRIDGE
The emblematic San Antón Bridge is one of the most representative symbols to see in Bilbao. Until almost the end of the 19th century it was the main access to Bilbao, both for people and goods. However, its location has not always been the same.
There was an old bridge, known as La Puente de San Antón, located at the foot of the tower of the church of San Antón and next to the old square. The New Bridge, also known as the Atxuri Bridge, was located at the back of the church, just as the current bridge is.
Its construction was prolonged from 1871 to 1877 due to the third Carlist war. In 1937 it was blown up, like the rest of the bridges in the estuary, and replaced by the one that stands today.
CASA KUNA (CRADLE HOUSE)
Another key point to see in Bilbao with a long history is the Casa Kuna. The building was constructed between 1914 and 1916, and was later renovated in 1939 with the addition of a new floor.
The original purpose of the Casa Cuna was to care for the young children of the day labourers when they were at work, which is why we can see a statue representing Charity on the façade.
After a careful interior refurbishment, the Casa Cuna de Bilbao is now called BBK Kuna, and is a space where companies, administration, universities/research centres and citizens work to find solutions to the challenges we face as a society.
CHURCH OF SAN ANTÓN
The Church of San Antón is one of the most notable and oldest monuments to see in Bilbao, located in the Old Quarter, one of the most emblematic areas of the city. It was built in the 18th century on the site of a small 16th century chapel. The ground plan has an ellipsoidal shape with four rectangular spaces that correspond to the base, chancel and side chapels.
From its origins until the 19th century, the interior of the church was used as a cemetery. The church has suffered several calamities in its history, the last in the catastrophic floods of 1983, which carried away a large part of its furnishings.
LA RIBERA MARKET
This is one of the main markets to visit in Bilbao. The city has a long tradition of municipal food markets.
La Ribera Market, located in the heart of Bilbao, was inaugurated on 22 August 1929. From then until today, the number of municipal markets has multiplied.
Due to its location in the Old Quarter of Bilbao, it has the same protection as the Old Quarter of the City as a national Historic-Artistic Site. In 1990, the Mercado de la Ribera obtained the Guinness Record for being the most complete Municipal Food Market, being the largest covered market in Europe.
In addition, the Mercado de la Ribera completes the gastronomic offer of what to see in Bilbao with restaurants, bars and gastrobars, where you can taste ham, seafood, gildas or enjoy the best live jazz.
ARANA PALACE
Just in front of the market, there are arcades underneath the oldest palace to see in Bilbao, the Arana Palace. It attracts art and architecture enthusiasts as well as those interested in exploring historical sites.
Built around 1590, with a large gate guarded by two wild Hercules protecting the entrance to the inner courtyard that organises the rest of the palace.
Its façade is one of the most photographed by those who decide to travel to Bilbao
SANTIAGO CATHEDRAL
Consecrated to the Apostle St. James, the official patron saint of the city, we find this splendid Gothic Cathedral Basilica built between the last quarter of the 14th century and the beginning of the 15th century.
It is located in the heart of the Casco Viejo, the oldest area to be seen in Bilbao, and has become a heavy axis of history, art and tradition venerated for generations.
It is made up of a large number of consecrated chapels and in its crypt, even today, the remains of the original chapel on which it was built can still be seen.
The Cathedral Basilica of Santiago was declared a Spanish Historical and Artistic Heritage Site in 1931 and is considered one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in the Basque Country. Undoubtedly a must-see in Bilbao.
CHURCH OF LOS SANTOS JUANES
Very close to the Cathedral, still within the Old Quarter, we find the church of Santos Juanes.
The church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist is located at the junction of Ronda and Cruz streets, but it was not always like this. The parish church was moved here in 1770, after the closure of its original site (1477), in the square next to the Bridge of San Antón. After the flood of 1553, the following year the Cofradía de la Vera Cruz (Brotherhood of the True Cross) was founded in this parish, the oldest brotherhood of what to see in Bilbao.
Due to its acoustics, it allows for spectacular classical music recitals. At these moments, the vibrations reverberate in the stone and create a dreamlike sound of great attraction.
NEW ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF BILBAO
Another key point to see that is very close by is the archaeological museum, inaugurated in 2009, in the old Lezama station, with 5 floors and more than 3,000 square metres. The objectives are:
– To conserve the prehistoric legacy of the historical territory,
– Research and cataloguing of the same
– And finally its dissemination and enhancement among all citizens.
It has a permanent collection of approximately 500 pieces. The oldest are 75,000 years old.
The Archaeological Museum is located at the beginning of the Calzadas de Mallona where you will see 323 steps built to facilitate the way to the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Begoña.
NEW SQUARE
Next to it is the Plaza Nueva, located in the heart of Bilbao’s old quarter. It was built in the 19th century, and the idea of making it this way came from the enlightened spirit of Bilbao at the time. It is neoclassical in style and has a surface area of 3,400 metres, and was inaugurated in 1851. Its design was the result of the work of three architects
The material used for its construction was golden sandstone ashlar.
The Plaza Nueva used to have a garden which was lost due to construction work.
It is undoubtedly a square with a lot of character and a key place to see in Bilbao, which invites you to relax and enjoy the numerous cafés in the arcades.
ARRIAGA THEATRE
Designed in the 19th century by the municipal architect Joaquín Rucoba, this is the ideal theatre to see in Bilbao. The building was constructed between 1886 and 1890. After a few years the building suffered a fire and had to be rebuilt, taking the Paris Opera House as an example. This influence can be seen, above all, in the composition of the main façade and in the decorative elements.
Between 1982 and 1986 it underwent a further remodelling, during which the imperial staircase was built, giving the theatre a majestic appearance.
SAN NICOLAS DE BARI CHURCH
It was inaugurated in 1756 and its Baroque façade crowned by two towers, a meeting point for sailors before setting sail, stands out. It is said that in 1812 the church was chosen by the General Assemblies of Bizkaia to sign the liberal Constitution of Cadiz, a historical fact that makes it a must-see when choosing places to visit in Bilbao. The exterior and interior restoration has allowed this church to recover its splendour, eliminating additions and once again showing the quality of its Ganguren ashlar stonework.
BASILICA OF THE VIRGIN OF BEGOÑA
The last site we have chosen in our guide of what to see in Bilbao is the Basilica of Begoña, which has been an object of devotion for the people of Bilbao throughout its history, this virgin has been venerated by sailors and fishermen, as well as being a symbol of the people of Bilbao.
The construction of a church began on the top of a hill in Begoña where an image of the virgin had appeared. More than a century later, work was completed on the Basilica of Begoña, in honour of the patron saint of Biscay. It is a Gothic temple that combines other architectural styles.
The strategic location of the Basilica of Begoña in Bilbao did not prevent the liberal troops from setting fire to the interior of the church during the Carlist wars. The only survivor was the image of the Virgin of Begoña, which increased its popularity among the people of Bilbao. Today the Basilica of Begoña is known as the Amatxu.
Other places to see in Bilbao.
We have focused our visit on the Old Town area but there are several other places to see in Bilbao that you should not miss.
– Guggenheim Museum: Iconic masterpiece of contemporary architecture designed by Frank Gehry, celebrated worldwide for its innovative titanium exterior and the impressive collection of modern and contemporary art it houses. The main museum to see in Bilbao.
– Calatrava Bridge: officially known as the Alamillo Bridge, it is an impressive structure noted for its asymmetry and its unique inclined pylon that acts as a counterweight, eliminating the need for anchor cables, and becoming a symbol of innovation and design in bridge engineering.
– San Mamés Stadium: known as the “Cathedral” of football, it is the home stadium of Athletic Club. It is famous not only for its impressive architecture and capacity, but also for the passion and loyalty of Athletic’s fans, making it a place of pilgrimage for football lovers and a symbol of Basque identity and culture.
Discover nearby towns to see in Bilbao:
- Guernica
- Portugalete
- Santurce
- Getxo
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