Find out what there is to see and do in and around Bilbao
Discover all the art the city has to offer by visiting the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, an architectural gem that houses an impressive collection of contemporary art, the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, which exhibits masterpieces by local and international artists, and the Itsasmuseum Bilbao, which will immerse you in the city's maritime history.
Just a few minutes away from Apartamentos Atxuri you will find the Old Town, the historic heart of the city, a must-see when you are visiting Bilbao. Walk through the Siete Calles, where the main guilds were located in the Middle Ages, and you will be transported to the original core of Bilbao, one of the best preserved in Europe. Also, don't miss Plaza Nueva and Plaza Unamuno, two bustling squares that are full of life.
Located just a few minutes' walk from the accommodation, this market is one of the largest in Europe and is a must-see in the Old Town. Here you will find a wide variety of fresh produce, from fish and seafood to fruit and vegetables. It is a vibrant and colourful place that captures the daily life of Bilbao. It also offers a wide range of pintxos, which you can enjoy overlooking the Bilbao estuary.
Enjoy Bilbao's delicious pintxos in the most characteristic areas of the city: the Old Town, the Ribera Market, Calle Ledesma, Calle García Rivero, Calle Diputación and Licenciado Pozas. These areas, which are very popular with locals (especially on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings), offer a wide variety of bars and restaurants where you can sample traditional and creative pintxos. Don't miss the opportunity to pair them with a local drink such as txakoli, immerse yourself in Basque gastronomy and get into the city’s "jatorra" atmosphere.
The Vizcaya province is a hidden treasure. Some of the must-do activities are: learning about Basque history in Gernika, discovering the fishing villages such as Plentzia (accessible by metro from Bilbao), Bermeo (accessible by bus from Bilbao), Mundaka (accessible by train from Bilbao), Lekeito and Ea, enjoying the incredible coastline in Urdaibai and climbing the rock of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
Although Bilbao doesn't have any beaches (yet!), you can find beautiful beaches very close to the city that are easily accessible by public transport or by car from Apartamentos Atxuri. Some of these beaches can be found in Plencia, Gorliz, Ereaga, La Salvaje and Arrietara.
The Artxanda viewpoint offers you the opportunity to contemplate the impressive views of Bilbao from up high. In addition to a trip on the historic funicular railway, you can enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the "Botxo" with the Guggenheim Museum, the Iberdrola Tower and the Nervión Estuary. And if you feel like walking, this is the ideal place to do it! Mount Artxanda has some very easy and beautiful walking routes.
The Nervión estuary is an essential part of Bilbao's history. We recommend you walk along it to see the city's major attractions such as the Guggenheim Museum, the Iberdrola Tower, the Euskalduna Palace and the Salve Bridge, among others, and reach the Zorrozaurre neighbourhood where you can still see some remnants of what used to be the industrial area. Apartamentos Atxuri are located right next to the estuary, so you can start your walk as soon as you leave your flat! Other ways to enjoy the estuary are by kayak, bicycle or Bilboat.
Bilbao's Santiago Cathedral, the Basilica of Begoña, the Arriaga Theatre and the Vizcaya Bridge are some of the city's most iconic landmarks. The majestic Cathedral of Santiago is considered one of the finest Gothic structures in the Basque Country and the Basilica of Begoña is the most emblematic religious symbol of the city as it houses the patron saint of Bilbao, Andra Mari de Begoña. The Arriaga Theatre is a spectacular neo-baroque construction which hosts great plays and, finally, the emblematic Vizcaya Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its captivating and unique engineering.
