Port Review: Bilbao, Spain

It’s Spain’s fifth-largest city, and a fascinating port of call which delights visitors thanks to a charming Old Quarter, lively restaurants and tapas bars, excellent shopping, and outstanding architecture.

The Facts

Location: Northern Spain.

Currency: The euro

Docking/Anchoring: Most ships dock at a cruise terminal in Getxo which is around 10 kilometres from the CBD. Some ships also dock in the commercial port which is the same distance to the city.  

Transport: Most cruise lines will offer a shuttle into town, and there are usually taxis outside the cruise terminal when ships are in port. There’s also a metro station at Getxo - look for Neguri Station.

Overview

It’s a city which captures the industrial heart of Spain, but despite its rough and ready blue-collar appearance, Bilbao has emerged in recent years as a major centre of European art. The Museo Guggenheim has played a large role in shaping its renaissance, and it attracts an arty horde of tourists who seem happy to embrace Bilbao’s down-to-earth and vibrant atmosphere. But the city also has an attractive Old Quarter and a lineup of other attractions making it one of Spain’s most interesting ports of call.

Don’t Miss

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao opened in 1997 with great fanfare thanks to its inspired modern architecture which well and truly put the city in the world spotlight. The Frank Gehry designed structure captures the city’s shipbuilding history and the temporary exhibitions tend to attract the most attention.

The Museo de Bellas Artes features an impressive collection of pretty much everything from Gothic sculptures to trendy pop art. The classical section features work from Goya, and van Dyck and Murillo while there’s also a contemporary art section with the likes of Gauguin and Francis Bacon and Basque art featuring Ignacio Zuloago and Juan de Echeverria.

Casco Viejo is a traditional Basque district in Bilbao’s Old Quarter with charming streets, classic homes, great bars and cafes and interesting little shops. The 14th century Catedral de Santiago stands sentinel over one of Bilbao’s prettiest neighbourhoods.

Best Photo Op 

The Miribilla Parkea is pretty park area which provides a panorama of the Ria del Nervion which runs right through the city centre.

Shopping

There are three main shopping districts, each with their own attractions and together they combine to make Bilbao a good shopping destination. Casco Viejo is where you’ll find small shops and art galleries with high quality local handicrafts. The Plaza Moyúa is where you’ll find a collection of high end brands while larger boutique shops can be found along the Gran Via. 

Food And Drink

If you’re looking for authentic Spanish food, Bilbao is packed with places to eat, from cafes and tapas bars to old style cellars and high end restaurants. As with most European cities, walking is the best way to get around and it helps provide the sense that café life is important to the local people and the best way to get a feel for the local cuisine is try a local tapas joint. Keep an eye out for tapas like Iberico ham, brie and roasted capsicum on crusty bread, which is something of a staple. Another popular snack is pinchos, or pintxos, which are small portions of food served on a slice of bread which is served while you have a drink at a bar. Bacalao al pil pil is anothertypical dish made of cod and usually accompanied with roasted potatoes, while a popular dessert is the canutillo which is a puff pastry filled with custard.

Pick Of The Excursions

Most of the half day tours of Bilbao will get you around the main highlights of the city including the Guggenheim Museum, the Old Quarter and Casco Viejo.

There’s an all day tour to the beach town San Sebastian and the medieval town of Hondarribia which is right on the French border. San Sebastian is now a belle époque resort which is famous for its international film festival while Hondarribia provides a stark contrast with its architecture from the Middle Ages.