Bilbao in the Basque Country

Located in the Basque Country in the north of Spain, Bilbao is a major seaport and industrial centre and also the largest city of the region. The urban area of the city, with almost 1 million inhabitants, is encompassed by two small mountain ranges - the Pagasarri and the Artxanda – which is the reason why it has been dubbed “el boxto” (the hole). The banks of the Nervion River are lined with businesses and factories, which are the main reason the city prospered during the industrial revolution.

The city has had a major facelift in recent years as it was, for a long time, considered as an industrial region with little that tourists would be interested in. Since the Guggenheim museum was opened in 1997 the city has been revitalized with eight new hotels having opened their doors reflecting the increasing interest in the city. So much so that the makes of the James Bond film “The World Is Not Enough”, featured the city at the start of the film.

The new metro line serves the travelling public and is the basis of other developments designed to change the focus onto tourism and services. A tramline was introduced into the city in 2002 in an effort to easy traffic congestion and again, make the city more appealing to both locals and visitors alike. Fashionable shops (consisting of some of the well known high street chains) and bars can now be found in the streets around the Guggenheim museum where there once only existed the original, more traditional tapas bars and restaurants.

Other things to see

• The Bibao Live festival – a rock and pop music festival started here in June 2006

• Fine Arts Museum – recently refurbished and recognised as one of Spain’s best art museums

• Maritime Museum – on the banks of the Nervion, was the Spanish home of the RMS Titanic exhibition on its European tour

• Guggenheim museum – museum of Contemporary art covered in titanium plate is worth visiting, if only to view the building itself

• Zubizuri bridge – a tied arch footbridge across the river Nervion, designed by Santiago Calatrava

• The old town of Bilbao with its narrow streets and small shops and bars

  Property for sale - Basque Country        Property for rent - Basque Country

Tours and attractions in the Costa Dorada

You can book sightseeing and adventure tours in many cities and regions of Spain online through our online booking system. Book online for a specified date and you will receive a confirmation voucher including full contact details of the tour operator. Email support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A small selection of the tours you can book are shown below. Click here to see more tours and attractions.

Why book ahead? Popular tours sell out well in advance! Don't be disappointed! Lock in your price! Currency dips & price hikes won't effect you. Save vacation time! Plan & book now, not when you're there. Balance your holiday budget! Charge tours on this month's credit card bill.

Our top selling tours in the Basque Country