Bilbao Attractions
Obviously the Guggenheim Museum is the number
one attraction of Bilbao but there is plenty more to see and do during your
stay.
Our Bilbao sightseeing guide covers four walks
around the city which include many of the city's main sights.
In addition, we recommend that you find time to check out these other tourist
attractions:
Funicular Railway at Mount Artxanda
You have to take the Funicular Railway up to Mount Artxanda. Look for the Plaza
Funicular marked 40 on the local tourist map.
It's on the hill side of the river opposite the Zubizurri pedestrian bridge, and
is a few streets up from the river. The train, operated by a pulley system, shoots
up the vertical hillside, revealing stunning views as you rise above the city.
It runs every 15 minutes and cost 85 cents one way.
One way is enough as it is more fun to walk back down. At the top is a park
which is a popular recreation area. You have
stunning views down over the whole of Bilbao. It's a great way to get your
bearings as the whole city is laid out before you.
You see how the river winds through the city and you can pick out all the
landmark buildings. If you've been confused by the
layout of Bilbao, you now have a much better idea of its shape. There are some
fine walks at the top and plenty of
restaurants to relax and eat traditional Basque cuisine. Walk back down through
the verdant hillside either to Parque
Extberri with its giant chimneystack or down to the Abando district. Don't
worry, just keep going downhill and you'll come
out somewhere in Bilbao.
Lift in the Casco Viejo
Another thing to do is to take the lift in the Casco Viejo down on Esperanza
Street, next to the sports centre behind San
Nicholas church. You can't miss it, it's that giant concrete structure that
rises up incongruously from the old town. When you
alight at the top walk along the passageway and turn left into Park Extberri and
enjoy the fine views of Bilbao and the
greenery.
Make your way round to the right and head up for the landmark Basilica de Begona
built in 1620. It has a lovely tree shaded
courtyard to sit and relax in. Rather than taking the lift back down come down
the side of the park down the hundreds of
steps that take you into Plaza Unamundo in the Casco. If it's evening time look
out for the wall of sound that hits you
rising up from the Casco. It's simply the sound of people talking and going
about their business, but
they look like lots of little ants scurrying around the streets of the old town.Visit the Hanging Bridge
You also have to go and see the Hanging Bridge which connects Portugalete to
Gexto. You can either take the train from Aband
or San Mames to Portugalete or you may opt for the other side of the river by
taking the metro to Areeta. The bridge is an
awe inspiring site. It really is as remarkable piece of engineering as you will
find anywhere. It has got a giant Eiffel
tower like frame that spans both sides of the river. A small ferry for cars and
people hangs from it by cables. You get on and
are carried suspended over the river as the cables slide along to the other
side. It's entertaining and a little surreal just
to watch! It was opened in 1893 and is the oldest of its type in the world. In
fact only a handful of these type of bridges
were ever built. It operates 24 hours a day every day of the year. If you've got
a good head for heights you can take the
lift to the top and walk across the upper gangway and take the lift down again
at the other side. The views are striking but
you are 50 metres above the river so don't suffer from dizziness.
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