Bilbao is the capital of the province of Vizcaya (Biscay) in the Basque region of northern Spain. Bilbao has worked hard to promote its image in recent years and offers a unique blend of maritime interest mixed with cultural and culinary delights. There are a series of fiestas celebrated throughout the year as for example the “Semana Grande”, a week-long festival in the third week of August offering stunning fireworks every night and local festivities, displays and celebrating until the small hours. However, unlike some of its southern counterparts, Bilbao is not dominated by tourism, so you can really savour a taste of authentic local life.
Bilbao is famed for its pintxos (pronounced ‘pinchos’), which are available at every bar on every corner. These are the Basque equivalent to tapas, but much more varied. They are best sampled with a glass of local Rioja or a cool beer!
The port of Bilbao is worth a visit. From the ‘Puente de Vizcaya’ – the oldest transporter bridge in the world, the view is stunning. You can also take a small boat between the docks and try fresh grilled sardines and Basque white wine.
Local festivals are always held out on the street. In addition to the events, concerts and parades, there are also many opportunities to sample local food and drink.
Fireworks are common in the summer, particularly during the ‘Semana Grande’ festival where every night for a week there is an international fireworks competition. There are several viewing spots in the city to choose from, and it’s a great way to kick-start an evening out.
The architectural highlight in Bilbao is, of course, the world-famous Guggenheim Museum. This masterpiece by renowned architect Frank Gehry, with its striking shapes and building materials of titanium and glass, is unique and a must-see for anyone visiting the Basque country.
Our special offer for 1 week
- 7 nights in a double/twin room in a pension
- 5 days surf lessons with full equipment, transport to and from the beach, and experienced surf instructor
Price: 333,-€/Person
(offer valid for June, September and October. July, August: 398,-€/Person. Single room on request, flexible arrival date!)
Click here to see where our surf camp is based on Google Maps.
Bilbao has excellent, frequent and economical connections with the UK and Ireland:
easyjet
Low-cost flights from London (Stansted) and Manchester to Bilbao.
vueling
Daily flights from London (Heathrow) to Bilbao.
Brittany Ferries
Cruise from Portsmouth to Bilbao.
Ryanair
Cheap flights from London (Stansted) or Dublin to Santander (Bilbao).
Aer Lingus
Cheap flights from Dublin to Bilbao.
