Car Hire in Bilbao

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Tourist information - Bilbao

Bilbao is the heart of a Metropolis with a population of more than a million people. It is the driving force of social and economic development, and it constitutes the principal factor in the modernisation of the Gulf of Biscay.

The ambitious architectural, and general infrastructure projects have fuelled the urban and financial regeneration of the city. The Guggenheim Museum; the Euskalduna Music Hall and Convention Centre; the underground, built by Norman Foster; the airport, built by Calatrava; the new tram; the projects by architects such as Arata Isozaki and Cesar Pelli... are examples of the overwhelming vitality that permeates Bilbao.

Situated in the Territory of Biscay, the city is surrounded by fertile landscapes, with forests, mountains, beaches, and steep coasts, that make Bilbao a privileged destination for any traveller. The modern network of transport and roads brings the nearby Basque capitals like Vitoria and San Sebastian much closer.

Bilbao's cultural calendar is hard to resist, having two of the best art galleries in Spain, six theme museums, innumerable contemporary art exhibitions, and a continuous series of shows and performances, such as opera, symphony orchestras, theatre, dance, cinema, easy listening, pop, and rock 'n roll.

The Bilbao Guggenheim Museum has become the cultural and touristic driving force of the Basque Country. This spectacular building, built by Frank O. Gehry in 1997, is completely covered with titanium sheets. It houses its own private collection, in addition to sharing with New York and Venice the world's most numerous and impressive private collection of modern and contemporary art. The Fine Arts Museum is also among the best of its kind in Spain, with a great gallery that houses three collections: art through the centuries (El Greco, Zurbarán, Goya, and Van Dyck), contemporary art (Gauguin, Bacon, and Tà pies), and Basque art (Regoyos, Zuloaga, and Iturrino).

In addition, the Basque Museum exhibits Basque prehistory and archaeology.The Diocesan Museum of Religious Art, and the Museo de Pasos de Semana Santa (Museum of Religious Floats and Sculptures from the celebration of Holy Week)display works related to the religious tradition of Biscay. Bilbao's museum collection also includes the Museo Marítimo (Maritime Museum), opening soon, and the Bullfighting Museum. Sala Rekalde organises first class contemporary art exhibitions, and in addition, some twenty other galleries have permanent exhibitions in the different fields of the visual arts.

In the field of the performing arts, the veteran, prestigious Opera Season at the Palacio Euskalduna (a facility with capacity for more than 2000 people), stages spectacular shows that include the best international lyrical performers.The Bilbao and Euskadi Symphony Orchestras, and the Municipal Band secure a long year of quality concerts for those who love classical music; likewise, the Arriaga Theatre has a varied programme that includes theatre, dance and music. The offer does not end there;many more theatres and 75 cinemas are also available.

Bilbao's 700 years of history are present in buildings and constructions that will pleasantly surprise the visitor.The historic quarter is listed as a Conservation Area, and it constitutes the best point of reference in order to understand the city's history. It is an example of urban regeneration, with more than 400 shops of all kinds. The city centre is a showcase of the best of 20th century architecture, with buildings that have housed the most important firms and institutions of Bilbao for over a century. This impressive collection of buildings has been amassed by the best local architects of each period.

But Bilbao is not finished being built:in addition to the genius of the local architects, the most prestigious foreign firms have contributed finished projects to the grandeur of the city, plus some still in progress, by architects of the stature of Foster, Gehry, Calatrava, Isozaki, Pelli, etc.

The industrial city of Bilbao radiates stateliness. Eating very well is easy, being actually almost impossible not to. The varied menus are always dictated by an exquisite taste and by the great quality of the ingredients. The cod capital of the world, because of the numerous, delicious recipes that it prepares. You should, before sitting down to dinner, try the "chiquiteo", the custom of drinking wine and eating small appetisers in the many bars and taverns of the old quarter.

Big and small shops have the best selection of national and international fashion. The visitor will also be tempted by the many cool shops for interior design, furniture, gifts, and delicatessen.

Adolfo Domínguez, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Gucci... the streets of Bilbao are decked with the best and most trendy designer brands, which have turned the city into a permanent, glamourous catwalk. Thus, the Biscayan capital joins other European cities when it comes to haute couture, and this, combined with the exquisite taste for clothes that the people from Bilbao have always had, make the city one of the most exciting in the whole country in matters of fashion.

Bilbao has 10,000 firms in the commerce industry, which makes up more than 30% of the city's economy. Its commercial tradition in unquestionable, and further corroborated by the interesting and varied array of shops and boutiques that can be found particularly in the two main commercial areas of the city: the historic quarter and the Ensanche (new suburbs). Most shops open from 10:00 in the morning to 14:00, .and from 16:00 till 20:00 h, Monday through Saturday.

The visitor shall not forget the beautiful Biscayan crafts, which reflect the city's cultural identity. The artisan workshops of Biscay make both decorative and practical pieces, includingceramics, glass work, leather work, Basque pelota articles, enamels, wood and iron work, damascene, forging, etc.; as well as excellent food products, like cheeses, sausages, sweets, wines, cider, and txakolí.