Bilbao

A city full of contrasts that will not leave you feeling indifferent

If you haven’t visited Bilbao for a long time, you will be in for a big surprise. The city has left its industrial past behind to become one of the most cosmopolitan places in Europe. Where you used to be able to see shipyards, there are now parks and where there were ships transporting steel, there are now designer bridges and tourists taking photos.

This change undoubtedly came about as a result of the emergence of the Guggenheim Museum, which opened in 1997 and became a symbol of the city. However, if we are to be sincere… Although it is true that Frank Gehry’s Museum put the city on the map, it is also true that Bilbao is much more than a museum. The River, the Alhóndiga or the Euskalduna are also symbols of a city that has known how to reinvent itself like none other.

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The Old Quarter, where tradition and modernity go hand in hand

Our apartment is located in the heart of the Old Quarter, which is known as the Seven Streets. Alongside Santiago Cathedral, built on a former chapel devoted to the Apostle, the Seven Streets form the city’s oldest part. In fact, according to historians, it is here where the Chartered Town of Bilbao was born in the 15th century.

Nowadays, the Old Quarter is a pedestrian area with a lot of life, where traditional bars and shops can be found alongside some of the city’s most innovative restaurants. There is Mina (with a Michelin star), Perro Chico or La Ribera, located inside the Ribera Market, the largest covered marketplace in Europe.

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Do you need some ideas?

El Pisito
will give you some clues to make the most of Bilbao and its surroundings

Guided Tours

On foot, by bicycle or by boat, the city offers guided tours for those who like to be led by a good guide. At El Pisito, we have many leaflets on tours organised by Bilbao City Council as well as those run by different private companies. Just tell us what you are looking for and we will help you find the perfect tour.

Art and Music

Since the transformation of the city began 30 years ago, culture has always occupied an important place in the agenda of those who have worked in the institutions. Proof of this is the Guggenheim Museum, as well as the wonderful Museum of Fine Arts or the impressive Euskalduna Congress Palace, where you will be able to enjoy a fantastic opera or a rock concert.

If you are travelling with kids, don’t forget to visit the children’s area in the Mediateka in the Azkuna Zentroa (also known as the Alhóndiga), paradise for children who like reading.

Hiking

The “monte”, as people from Bilbao refer to its mountains, is considered to be a cult object here. The Basque people are extremely proud of their irregular landscape. Proof of this lies in the numerous routes and paths that you will find throughout the province and which are carefully maintained. Gorbea Natural Park or Irati Forest are just some of the best known spots. If you are travelling with children, don’t miss Oma Forest, where the trees are painted in different colours.

Ecotourism

If you want to enjoy a unique experience, we recommend that you become a “shepherd for the day” in Urkiola Natural Park, where you will be able to visit the farmhouse where the dairy is located, milk the sheep and even make fresh cheese. Or navigate the Urdaibai estuary, the Biosphere Reserve located in the heart of Bizkaia, in the area called Busturialdea.

Basque Coast

If there is one thing that Bilbao can boast about, it is that of being one of the few Spanish cities with one foot in the mountain and the other on the coast. The best example of this is San Juan de Gazteluatxe, an ancient chapel that is linked to the land by 200 steps. Another wonder next to the sea is the Flysch, a group of cliffs that will leave you speechless. Among its rocks, we can find prints dating back 60 million years!

Bilbao with Kids

Bilbao, like other European cities, is working on becoming a child-friendly place, or in other words, a city in which children are welcome. It is not difficult to find playground areas along the length and breadth of the river or streets that are closed to the traffic. In the Old Quarter, for example, its pedestrian-only streets make it easy for you to have a pintxo whilst your child is running about. Just spend a Sunday in the Plaza Nueva to see for yourself.

Restaurants

When we ask our guests about their plan, more often than not they reply that they have come here to eat. And it is true, eating is precisely one of the best things to do in Bilbao. For this reason, we have prepared a list of our favourite restaurants, places that ooze an authentic aroma and with a great deal of style. Have a look at it on our Pinterest account.

Wine Tourism

If you have enough time, don’t think twice about visiting some of the prestigious wineries in La Rioja and La Rioja Alavesa. Open throughout the year, they organise experiences for all of the senses. Just have a look at the activities organised by wineries, such as Marqués del Riscal or Muga: horse-riding, a picnic in the vineyards, a hot air balloon trip… All in all, tasting its wine will be ust an excuse.

Cycling

At El Pisito we enjoy cycling and we love to welcome guests who bring their bicycles as part of their baggage. At the apartment, you will find all kinds of information on cycling routes as well as a safe place to keep your bicycles. Weather permitting, the Basque Country is the perfect place to enjoy nature on two wheels.

Surfing

For surf fans, the Basque coast has become a sanctuary where you can practise this sport all year round. Sopelana, Barrika, Zarautz… are just some of the best known places to look for the perfect wave. It is no coincidence that one of the most important world championships, the Mundaka Wave, takes places among our 200km of coastline.

Skiing

If you visit us in winter, you should know that you can also go skiing. Although it is true that there aren’t any ski resorts in the Basque Country, there are some just a few kilometres away. So if you want to spend a day in the snow, you can go to some of the slopes in the neighbouring provinces, such as Lunada (Cantabria), Valdezcaray (La Rioja) or Belagua (Navarra).

Guided Tours

On foot, by bicycle or by boat, the city offers guided tours for those who like to be led by a good guide. At El Pisito, we have many leaflets on tours organised by Bilbao City Council as well as those run by different private companies. Just tell us what you are looking for and we will help you find the perfect tour.

Art and Music

Since the transformation of the city began 30 years ago, culture has always occupied an important place in the agenda of those who have worked in the institutions. Proof of this is the Guggenheim Museum, as well as the wonderful Museum of Fine Arts or the impressive Euskalduna Congress Palace, where you will be able to enjoy a fantastic opera or a rock concert.

If you are travelling with kids, don’t forget to visit the children’s area in the Mediateka in the Azkuna Zentroa (also known as the Alhóndiga), paradise for children who like reading.

Restaurants

When we ask our guests about their plan, more often than not they reply that they have come here to eat. And it is true, eating is precisely one of the best things to do in Bilbao. For this reason, we have prepared a list of our favourite restaurants, places that ooze an authentic aroma and with a great deal of style. Have a look at it on our Pinterestaccount.

Wine Tourism

If you have enough time, don’t think twice about visiting some of the prestigious wineries in La Rioja and La Rioja Alavesa. Open throughout the year, they organise experiences for all of the senses. Just have a look at the activities organised by wineries, such as Marqués del Riscal or Muga: horse-riding, a picnic in the vineyards, a hot air balloon trip… All in all, tasting its wine will be ust an excuse.

Hiking

The “monte”, as people from Bilbao refer to its mountains, is considered to be a cult object here. The Basque people are extremely proud of their irregular landscape. Proof of this lies in the numerous routes and paths that you will find throughout the province and which are carefully maintained. Gorbea Natural Park or Irati Forest are just some of the best known spots. If you are travelling with children, don’t miss Oma Forest, where the trees are painted in different colours.

Ecotourism

If you want to enjoy a unique experience, we recommend that you become a “shepherd for the day” in Urkiola Natural Park, where you will be able to visit the farmhouse where the dairy is located, milk the sheep and even make fresh cheese. Or navigate the Urdaibai estuary, the Biosphere Reserve located in the heart of Bizkaia, in the area called Busturialdea.

Basque Coast

If there is one thing that Bilbao can boast about, it is that of being one of the few Spanish cities with one foot in the mountain and the other on the coast. The best example of this is San Juan de Gazteluatxe, an ancient chapel that is linked to the land by 200 steps. Another wonder next to the sea is the Flysch, a group of cliffs that will leave you speechless. Among its rocks, we can find prints dating back 60 million years!

Cycling

At El Pisito we enjoy cycling and we love to welcome guests who bring their bicycles as part of their baggage. At the apartment, you will find all kinds of information on cycling routes as well as a safe place to keep your bicycles. Weather permitting, the Basque Country is the perfect place to enjoy nature on two wheels.

Surfing

For surf fans, the Basque coast has become a sanctuary where you can practise this sport all year round. Sopelana, Barrika, Zarautz… are just some of the best known places to look for the perfect wave. It is no coincidence that one of the most important world championships, the Mundaka Wave, takes places among our 200km of coastline.

Skiing

If you visit us in winter, you should know that you can also go skiing. Although it is true that there aren’t any ski resorts in the Basque Country, there are some just a few kilometres away. So if you want to spend a day in the snow, you can go to some of the slopes in the neighbouring provinces, such as Lunada (Cantabria), Valdezcaray (La Rioja) or Belagua (Navarra).

Bilbao with Kids

Bilbao, like other European cities, is working on becoming a child-friendly place, or in other words, a city in which children are welcome. It is not difficult to find playground areas along the length and breadth of the river or streets that are closed to the traffic. In the Old Quarter, for example, its pedestrian-only streets make it easy for you to have a pintxo whilst your child is running about. Just spend a Sunday in the Plaza Nueva to see for yourself.