A Mystical Tour of Bilbao

Out of Town Blog
A Mystical Tour of Bilbao
Tour of Bilbao, Spain
Bilbao is the epitome of Baroque and contemporary design in the cosmopolitan side of the Basque Country, making it among the top cities to visit in Spain.
A passionate busker at the corner of an building in Casco Viejo
Visitors enjoy its remarkable urbanization system through its lush parks, vibrant museums, reliable transportation service, and high-quality tap water everywhere in the city, which passes the water potable standard of the Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU). It does serve this city correctly, with Best European City 2018 at The Urbanism Awards in the same year.
A portion of the continuous bicycle lane in Bilbao
This northern Spanish city maintains its historic charm and heralded modernization in the rapid transit lines passing along its clean underground stations or amid the line of Baroque buildings as seen from inside the tram lines or whilst cruising on cobbled stone pedestrian lanes on foot or with an E-bicycle that could be rented online.
A tram car arrives at a stop by the esplanada
While it is nice to get lost in this culturally rich city, visitors must access maps on their mobile phones or have the language translation on in case the need to speak with a non-English speaking Bilboan arises.
Corporate district of Bilbao
Either way, exploring the city requires a slow and pleasurable pace, as every corner offers something traditional and unique for everyone.
For one, the gastronomy in Bilbao boasts the exquisite taste of seafood fares straight from Biscay Bay. Homegrown chefs take pride in creating delectable dish with cod, hake, elvers, tuna, and baby cuttlefish, slowly cooked to perfection with herbs and spices. Some traditional dishes that are a must-try are Bacalao al Pil-pil with codfish, Kokotxas from a hake’s throat and Baby Cuttlefish with a serving of Piperrada sauce.
Bilbao is also known for Pintxos, which is the Basque Country’s rendition of Tapas. Everyday, especially on Thursdays, pintxos are served freshly made with delight in bars and restaurants all over Bilbao and the rest of the Basque Country.
Among the most-favored Pintxos are olive, chili pepper and anchovy skewer, a blend of anchovies, peppers and hard-boiled egg on a bread slice, codfish omelet, marinated grilled meat, fried prawn with garlic, ham croquette, and bell pepper filled with codfish. This is traditionally matched with sparkling white wine or apple cider beer.
When it comes to popular attractions, visitors are promised an enriching holiday by visiting the lush parks and playgrounds, the old town of Casco Viejo and the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, to name a few.
Doña Casilda Park
Bilbao’s biggest park, Casilda Iturrizar or Dona Casilda features a naturally-rich expanse in the heart of the city. Visitors, especially children, find joy around the duck pond where waterfowls saunter about calmly. Centennial trees are also plentiful, signifying the park’s over a hundred year’s existence since Dona Casilda donated her land to the city in 1907. On special occasions, concerts, as well as lights and sounds are put out from the cybernetic fountain in the middle of the park where a grand gazebo is also located, providing an idyllic venue for romantic photos and weddings.
The famous 9-meter high Spider statue, called Maman, at the esplanade outside Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Maman, the Spider sculpture of Louise Bourgeois at the waterfront esplanade
With art as the constant theme in Bilbao, even within Dona Casilda Park, where The Fine Arts Museum of Bilbao is found, one could imagine the impact of the Guggenheim Museum in the city. Since its inauguration in 1997, this museum of modern and contemporary art has exhibited over 250 art pieces of all types of media, be it paintings, massive installations, sculptures, performance art, and more.
Marble platforms and a see-through elevator made of glass and steel inside the three-storey structure of the