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Previous issues for Bilbao

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Spain : Bilbao - October 2009

Country Code: Dial for Spain

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

Stroll along the cobblestone streets, which have seen hundreds of years of history, before quenching your thirst at one of the many bars serving locally produced wine and cider.

Sleep soundly – Right in front of Teatro Arriaga, Petit Palace Arana (2 Calle Bidebarrieta, tel. , hthoteles. com, rooms from €68) sports sharp design, cool colours and Wi-Fi, making it great value for money.

Culture vultures – Head to the ornately decorated Teatro Arriaga (1 Plaza Arriaga) for cultural events; everything from dance with Roland Petit to music by a baroque quartet.

Must eat – Amaya (4 Calle Ribera, tel. ) is all about eating good Basque food in style. Don’t miss the excellent steamed clams with garlic and parsley sauce.

Must drink – Perfect for a pick-me-up while out shopping, Bar Gure (28 Calle Ercilla) offers a variety of delicious tapas, such as creamy crab or garlic prawns, served with tangy local cider.

Dance the night away – Bilbao’s best club, Conjunto Vacio (4 Muelle de la Merced), pulls in a dressed-up crowd. Covering two floors, there’s space to dance, drink and chill out. Resident DJ Alberto Gabilán keeps the crowd happy with funky house, electro and modern Spanish rhythms.

NERVIÓN RIVER

October is the perfect time to get on two wheels and enjoy the river from the bike path. Catch your breath in a bar or refuel in a restaurant with spectacular water views.

Sleep soundly – Just a short walk from Museo Guggenheim, Sheraton Bilbao (29 Calle Lehendakari Leizaola, tel. , sheraton-bilbao.com, rooms from €142) has a fiercely modern aesthetic, as well as an outdoor bar, fitness centre and sauna.

Culture vultures – Diana Krall fans will be treated to big night as she sings all her hits on 12 October at the beautiful concert hall Palacio Euskalduna (4 Avenida Abandoibarra).

Must eat – Enjoy Basque slow food at Abaroa (13 Paseo Campo Volantin, tel. ). Specialities include fried cod, roasted red peppers stuffed with seafood mousse and Basque-style chicken stew.

PLAZA ENSANCHE

With a quaint village atmosphere, this bustling neighbourhood has enough quirky shops 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 office The main office is at 11 Plaza Ensanche (tel. , bilbao.net). to keep you occupied for a morning.

Sleep soundly – The beautiful Hotel López de Haro Hotel (2 Calle Obispo Orueta, tel. , hotellopez deharo.com, rooms from €120) combines sublimely comfortable rooms and classic décor with modern amenities and Wi-Fi.

Must drink – Make time to check out the unusual art and theatre memorabilia on the walls of the café and bar Amor de Madre (1 Calle Obispo Orueta) while enjoying a slice of one of their homemade sweet treats. Try the cinnamon and apple cake.

Shop til you drop – Find the perfect Italian-made umbrella, gentleman’s hat, hand-painted Spanish fan or dandy-style cane, complete with silver embellishments, at Osorio (7 Plaza del Ensanche).

ABANDO AND AROUND

Dominated by the huge train station, this bustling area has great shopping and plenty of atmosphere by day, and bars packed with locals by night.

Culture vultures – Pop into Abando station to see the massive stainedglass window showing scenes of traditional Basque life.

Must eat – In a city that’s famous for seafood, Serantes (16 Calle Licenciado Poza, tel. ) does an exceptional job to stand out from the crowd. Take your time and linger over Basque specialities such as spider crab salad, swordfish wrapped in Iberian ham and razor clams.

Dance the night away – A great nightspot in a location close to the city centre, the colourful 1980s-themed Pas Pas (22 Calle Uribitarte) starts rocking at 11pm with disco and old favourites, supplied by resident DJ José Manuel.

Compiled by Scott Adams