Located in the Basque region of north-eastern Spain, Bilbao is characterised as a young and vibrant city that's rich in culture and culinary delights. A varied urban landscape and plenty of natural scenery make it a city with an eclectic range of attractions. A mighty river cuts through the centre of this enchanting settlement and, thanks to a temperate climate, this city is a welcoming retreat at any time of the year. Bilbao Abando is the main railway station in the city, routes here are operated by Renfe, and it offers direct connections to the local metro system. For tourists looking to catch a direct train to Bilbao from Madrid, the trip will take as little as 4h45mins.
Visiting Bilbao
After catching the train to Bilbao, visitors should head off on foot across the bridge over the Nervión to reach Teatro Arriaga (this involves an 8-minute walk). This breath-taking theatre building dates back more than 200 years and is a true icon of Baroque architecture. Now in the old part of the city, after a 4-minute stroll, travellers can visit the city cathedral or explore the Plaza Nueva for a true taste of Basque cuisine. Popular dishes include traditional Pintxos and Idiazabal cheese, as well as tasty local cider. About a 20-minute walk away is the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao, characterised by its titanium architecture and housing an impressive collection of contemporary art. Having explored this museum, tourists should head outside to gaze at the puppy sculptures and other playful monuments on
Having explored this museum, tourists should head outside to gaze at the puppy sculptures and other playful monuments on show. Then, having snapped a few treasured mementoes, why not head to the nearby Parque República de Abando? This park is 6 minutes away and houses the grand tower called Torre Iberdrola and is a great place to relax. On the outskirts of the main nucleus of Bilbao is a bridge called Vizcaya — a metallic structure that unites the districts of Barakaldo and Guecho (also written as Getxo). This is considered the oldest suspension bridge in the world and is a must on any walking tour of the city. After all that exploring and sightseeing, visitors may begin to feel hungry. Thankfully, there's plenty of fast food outlets and bistros in the vicinity so travellers can recharge their batteries after a long day, or before the next leg of the journey!