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Previous issues for Bilbao

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Spain : Bilbao - May 2010

Country Code: Dial for Spain

May in Bilbao is hot in more ways than one. You can visit the Anish Kapoor exhibition, see some top classical ballet or take in a funky musical. Alternatively, just enjoy the shops, bars and fine Basque food in the sunshine. Scott Adams dons his sunglasses and steps out

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

Spend time exploring the narrow lanes of the oldest part of the city – you’ll be rewarded with local food, buzzy bars and culture spanning centuries.

Sleep soundly – The trendy Hotel Jardines (9 Calle Jardines, tel. , hotelbilbaojardines.com, doubles from €50) offers great value for money in a central location.

Must eat – Don’t miss the delicious Iberian ham, paté and seafood salads at Xukela (2 Calle Perro, tel ).

Must drink – Locals converge at Gure Bar (28 Calle Ercilla) for a pick-me-up and a quick bite while shopping. Enjoy delicious tapas, including octopus with paprika-spiced potatoes, along with beer and local wine by the glass.

Dance the night away – One of Bilbao’s best nightspots, Fever (Polígono Industrial Santa Ana) offers house, rock, heavy and electronic beats to keep you moving until early in the morning.

THE RIVER

Rent a bike at the tourist office and set off to discover the beautiful Nervión River that snakes its way through the city. The boardwalk is lined with restaurants, bars and some of Bilbao’s most stunning modern architecture.

Sleep soundly – Sleek, chic and with a touch of glamour, the Hesperia Hotel (28 Paseo Campo Volantin, tel. , hesperia-bilbao.com, doubles from €80) has spectacular views of the Guggenheim. Fitness lovers should book one of the rooms with a built-in gym.

Culture vultures – Don’t miss the stunning Anish Kapoor sculpture exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum (2 Avenida Abandoibarra) until the end of October.

Must eat – Enjoy Basque ‘slow food’ at Abaroa (13 Paseo Campo Volantin, tel. ). Specialities include paella, red peppers stuffed with cod and the popular gorgonzola cheese and walnut salad.

Must drink – Sit in the shadow of the titanium masterpiece on the open-air terrace at stylish Café Guggenheim (2 Avenida Abandoibarra).

INDAUTXU

The wide, tree-lined streets across the river offer designer shopping, haute cuisine and crowd-pleasing nightlife.

Must eat – Discover flavours from the sea at Guetaria (12 Colón de Larreátegui, tel. ), including some mouth-watering rice and seafood dishes.

Shop til you drop – One of Spain’s top designers, Adolfo Dominguez (16 Calle Rodriguez Arias) offers elegant clothes for both him and her.

ABANDO

This bustling area around the city’s impressive 19th-century train station has a buzz day and night.

Sleep soundly – Bright colours and modern design elements set Hotel Abando (9 Colón de Larreátegui, tel. , hotelabando.com, doubles from €80) apart from the crowd. The rooms are havens of quiet.

Must eat – With mouth-watering dishes such as prawn and cod kebabs and warm foie gras served on sliced baked apples, Lasa (3 Calle Diputacíon, tel. ) offers the perfect atmosphere for a special lunch or dinner.

Must drink – Live jazz and good wine by the glass makes Antigua Cigarrería (5 Calle Astarloa) the perfect place to spend time with friends. The tapas and large oysters alone are worth the trip.

Shop til you drop – Football fans will love the official shop for Atlético de Bilbao football club (inside the Abando Train Station, on level 2), where they can find jerseys, shorts and other souvenirs.

Compiled by Scott Adams