Most travellers to Spain rush immediately to the big names: Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Valencia and Toledo. It’s true that all of these cities have everything that a tourist to Spain wants: sun, history, museums, superlative food and that je ne sais quoi that European cities seem to bask (no pun intended) in. Your first trip to Spain is always never forgettable, and it’s no wonder that so many travellers end up finding themselves as residents of Europe’s jewel: As of 2020, there were 7,231,195 foreign-born people in Spain, making up to 15.23% of the Spanish population.
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But, what about the rest of the country – and there is so much of it? Well, it is not to be sneezed at and one of the shining stars of the country is Bilbao. Ostensibily an industrial port city in northern Spain, Bilboa is surrounded by vibrant green mountains. It’s the de facto capital of Basque Country, with a skyscraper-filled downtown. It’s famed for the Frank Gehry–designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which sparked revitalization when it opened in 1997.
The residents there are justfiably proud how what once was a backwater town – Franco gave it little attention – has truly turned into a destination. You owe it to yourself to spend some time in this fascinating and historical city. And we have suggestions for you. See below.
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