Bilbao is not just the Guggenheim.
It is a city that challenged its own decline and won, transforming industrial iron into a new destiny of titanium and culture. In these pages of my diaries, you’ll discover the true soul of the Basque Country: from the collective fever of Aste Nagusia to the silent stones of the Casco Viejo, from the workers’ stories of Bilbao La Vieja to the social ritual of txikiteo. You’ll find practical guides, hidden curiosities, and authentic itineraries to experience a city that is proud, resilient, and surprisingly welcoming.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Let’s start with something practical: if you are planning your trip to the Basque Country, very likely San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (in Basque Gaztelugatxeko Doniene) is one of the places and photos you will have seen most often. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is indeed one of the most magical and photographed…
Flavour of Bilbao: where to eat in Bilbao, between Txikiteo and the flavors of one of the capitals of the Basque Country Visiting Bilbao and thinking only about the Guggenheim is the first traveler’s mistake. The second is believing you come here for a simple city tour and to enjoy an ordinary “dinner” with friends….
What to do in Bilbao when it rains Anyone arriving in Bilbao understands it straight away: here, the weather is not a detail, it’s part of the city’s character.The rain comes and goes, often without warning, but it’s never a real problem. At most, it’s an invitation to step inside somewhere and discover what happens…
Bilbao beyond the Guggenheim: Aste Nagusia, history and Basque tradition To get to Bilbao, I have to say it was quite an adventure! Not because Bilbao is poorly connected to the airport or because public transport doesn’t work — on the contrary: it’s excellent! But simply because, upon our arrival, an unimaginable surprise was waiting…