Ongi etorri! This is how Basque people will welcome you, often with a glass of red wine or a 'zurito' to extend their hospitality. My first post is dedicated to a city in the Basque Country that will always hold a special place in my heart—my hometown, Bilbao.
Nestled amidst mountains and affectionately known as 'El Botxo' due to its occasional rainy weather, it's a place that beckons those who cherish good food, art, music, good vibes, and breathtaking landscapes. Below is a sneak peek into my daily life before I moved to Australia:
10 UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN BILBAO, BY A LOCAL
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Have a Spanish Omelette pintxo and a coffee for breakfast
You’ll find the most popular one at Salón de Juegos Concha but you’ll find them everywhere. -
Walk along the Nervion River and through the Old Town
I recommend starting at the Deusto University and walking along the opposite side of the Guggenheim Museum to the Old Town, getting lost in its narrow cobblestone streets. Once you reach the Old Town, I recommend visiting the Santiago Cathedral, Plaza Nueva, and grabbing a drink at Bar Baster. For the curious, I've always wanted to live in the house across the street from this bar. -
Try local food at Gure Kabi or 11 Aldeanos
If you like meat, I also recommend Amaren Restaurant. And if you're still hungry (portions are generous in the Basque Country), you should try the nachos of La Foca Nicanora, in front of the Guggenheim Museum. - Try the “Bollo de Mantequilla” from Martina de Zuricalday bakery, the truffles from Arrese bakery, founded in 1852. You should also try the rice cakes and the Basque cake.
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Visit Alhóndiga Bilbao and see the suspended swimming pool in the air
If you appreciate architecture, this building is quite intriguing. -
Visit the Guggenheim Museum
The Fine Arts Museum is also well worth a visit. -
Going for pintxos
"Poteo" is a Basque cultural tradition that involves going from one bar to another, typically in the evening, to enjoy drinks and pintxos (small snacks or appetizers). My favorite areas are Diputación (Bar El Globo), Café Iruña (1903), García Rivero Street, and the Old Town. Don’t forget to ask locals for agua de Bilbao! -
Enjoy an evening drink at Marzana Pier
Order a drink at Marzana Bar and join the locals sitting on the ground outside (in Basque Country we love having drinks outside no matter if there´s no terrace). You'll often find people playing music, and later in the night, you can have for dinner fresh food at the restaurant of Mercado de la Ribera. Other restaurants I love in the area include Perro Chico, Peso Neto, and Demaio. Another popular pizzeria is Coppola. If you’re lucky they held live concerts sometimes. - Attend an Athletic football match at San Mamés: the streets come alive with excitement. Athletic Club fans take great pride in their team, which is one of the few football clubs in the world that exclusively signs players from the region.
- Carry your umbrella everywhere ;)
If you still have time, I also recommend visiting Olabeaga Pier in Bilbao to explore the history of the shipyards. There is a cool building in the area with the word “soñar” that means “dream”. Also, another Sunday popular activity is climbing the Pagasarri mountain.
And last but not least, one of my top 3 favorite plans that are very close to Bilbao for a sunny Sunday:
- Walk from Puente Colgante to Puerto Viejo and order some "rabas" (fried calamari) and "caracolillos" (snails) in the charming little square right at the top of the stairs: Go early; getting a table can be challenging, but it's worth it! Afterward, you can take a stroll further up the street to see the typical old houses where sunflowers are hung to protect the home according to Basque mythology.
- Cliffside route from Aixerrota to Sopelana: an easy 8km walk with stunning views.
- Watch the sunset from El Peñón de Sopelana bar, right above the beach.
I hope these local tips make more special your trip :)
If you're eager for more recommendations or have city suggestions for my next post, please don't hesitate to reach out. I would love to hear from you!
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