Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.
COUNTRY CODE:
Dial +34 for Spain
FROM THE AIRPORT
Car Hire :
Take advantage of the special easyJet inflight rates. Visit the Europcar desk on arrival or call +34 94 471 0133. Open from 7am-midnight Monday-Friday and 7.15am-11.15pm at the weekend.
Taxi :
A taxi to the centre costs about €20.
Bus :
Buses go to the city every half hour and the 20-minute journey costs about €1.10. Creditrans cards can be used on buses, metros, trains and trams. Pre-pay: €5, €10, €15.
(11 Gregorio de la Revilla. Tel. 94 441 5034) Bilbao has no shortage of excellent tapas bars. Among them, Gotzone is famous for its grilled mushrooms and omelettes.
(18 Alameda Mazarredo. Tel. 94 424 5102) There are only a few vegetarian restaurants in Bilbao—but this is one of the best. Simple decorations, no elaborate trimmings, just tasty, freshly cooked lunches.
(1 Máximo Aguirre. Tel. 94 423 7150) One of the city's oldest restaurants is conveniently located in the city centre. This classic is famous for its huge tanks of live seafood. The spectacular dishes also won't disappoint meat eaters.
(Calle Olabarri. Tel. 94 423 1407) Enjoy live jazz concerts every Thursday from 10pm to accompany the good food and snacks. Very popular, so it's well worth booking ahead.
(30 Olagorta. Tel. 94 447 2020) A huge disco for the young and trendy, with a metallic, ultra-modern décor, non-stop dance music and laser beams. Doors open at 11pm.
On the ground
Shop
At Turronería Ivañez you'll find a mouth-watering selection of home-made ice creams. Expect all the usual flavours, plus a few that are local recipes. Try the walnut (23 Calle Correo. Tel. 94 479 2407).
Insider Tip
Wednesdays are a bargain in Bilbao, with free entry to the Bellas Artes Museum, half-price sweets and pastries at Casa Vasca (13 Lehendakari Aguirre), and reduced entry at most of the city's cinemas.
Key Area
Bilbao's Old Quarter consists of seven pedestrianised streets that interconnect at various points, forming squares lined with bars, restaurants and cafés. The whole area buzzes with life from dawn till dusk—not surprisingly, the weekends are especially lively.
This month
For opera lovers, this month the Bilbao Opera Society is putting on Puccini's Turandot at the Palacio Euskalduna. There are performances on 10, 13, 16 and 19 May. Tickets from €35 (www.euskalduna.net).
Day Tripping
Plencia
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Take the metro to Plencia, one of Vizcaya's prettiest seaside resorts and the last stop on the line. It takes about half an hour, but you'll feel as though you've been transported back in time. Go for a walk along the beach or into the countryside overlooking the bay. Alternatively, just hang around the bars enjoying the local wine and tapas.
No way!
Basques are proud that their language has no swear words. When a Basque speaker wishes to express their frustration or anger they borrow words from their Spanish or French neighbours!
