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Previous issues for Bilbao

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Spain : Bilbao - August 2008

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Bilbao is the quintessential summer city. Visitors should take advantage of the broad squares fi lled with restaurants, the nearby coast, the shady avenues and the ongoing carnival atmosphere that descends on the Basque capital at this time of year. Scott Adams leads by example

Getting around

Bilbao Airport, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is worth visiting for its architecture alone, and is situated 10km from the city centre.

Bus: The yellow BizkaiBus runs every 30 minutes from arrivals between 5.25am and 9.55pm. The trip into town takes 20 minutes and costs €1,10.
Taxi: Expect to pay about €18 for the journey to the city centre, which takes 15 minutes.
Tourist information: Tourist information: The main office is at 11 Plaza Ensanche (tel. , bilbao.net).

CASCO VIEJO

The cobbled streets in the heart of the city are the perfect place to lose yourself while discovering fine Basque food, wine and shops.

Sleep soundly – Pension Manoli is just metres from all the bars and restaurants in the old town.

Culture vultures – August is party month in Bilbao, and the old town comes alive with street theatre and free concerts. For more information, visit bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo.

Must eat – Grab an outside table at Sorgin Zulo (12 Plaza Nueva, tel. ) in the main square, and feast on tapas and wine. Don’t miss the barbequed prawns or pan-fried fish.

Must drink – One of the most popular watering holes in the city, Bar Lamiak (8 Calle Pelota) is a great place to head for after-dinner drinks. The cocktails are excellent and the wine list lengthy.

Shop til you drop – Foil the sun with a hat from Sombreros Gorostiaga (9 Calle de Víctor), which stocks classic and contemporary styles.

THE RIVER

Enjoy a long stroll or bike ride along the Nervión river and enjoy the ultramodern architecture en route.

Sleep soundly – All contemporary flare and bright colours, Sheraton Bilbao Hotel is good for dining and drinking alfresco.

Culture vultures – Don’t miss ‘Surreal Things’ at the Guggenheim Museum (2 Avenida Abandoibarra), which runs until early September. Frank Gehry’s architectural masterpiece is as much of a draw as the works inside.

Must eat – With a creative menu of mouth-watering tapas and fantastic fresh seafood, Irrintzi (8 Calle Santa Maria, tel. ) is a good place for lunch or dinner.

Dance the night away – The everpopular Conjunto Vacío (3 Muelle de la Merced) regularly plays host to international DJs and themed parties.

GRAN VÍA AND AROUND

Rub shoulders with the city’s chicest citizens as you shop for designer clothes or soak up the atmosphere along the wide tree-lined boulevards.

Sleep soundly – With great views of the river from many of its rooms, Barceló Nervión is within walking distance of many of Bilbao’s main sights.

Must eat – The menu at Gorrotxa (30 Calle Alemeda Urquijo, tel. ) combines fine Basque cuisine with unexpected French influences.

Dance the night away – With an upbeat 1980s music policy, Pas Pas (22 Calle Uribitarte) is fun and unpretentious. Dancing here goes on into the early morning.

Shop til you drop – Stock up on local specialities at Basandere (4 Calle Iparraguirre), or get the deli to prepare a picnic for you to take to the park.

SANTURTZI

With its cool sea breezes, giant contemporary sculptures and excellent fish restaurants, the pretty fishing village of Santurtzi perches at the mouth of the Nervión river and is just a 15-minute train ride from Bilbao.

Sleep soundly – Overlooking the water and the port, the historic NH Palacio de Oriol has cool, modern décor and alfresco dining.

Culture vultures – Take advantage of the long sunny days and spend an afternoon at the open-air sculpture museum, which stretches the full length of the waterfront and is home to more than 20 stunning modern pieces.

Must eat – Gazing over the colourful fishing boats, Hogar del Pescador (Puerto Pesquero, in front of the train station, tel. ) serves some of the freshest seafood in the region.

Compiled by Scott Adams