The city in northern Spain where the ancient and the modern coexist in perfect symbiosis. The right itinerary to spend a different weekend
If you want to take advantage of a weekend To discover one of the most avant-garde cities in Europe, visit Bilbao, in the north of Spain. Bilbao is full of buildings with incredible structures, created by international architects, such as Guggenheim Museum, the work of star architect Frank O'Gehry.
To get to know modern Bilbao you have to start from the area of Cancelled. Starting from Arenal Avenue (in the historic center, where the Tourist Office is also located), continue until you reach the elegant Town Hall. The perspective of this building, the sculpture in front of it and the city are truly impressive.
Along Campo VolantĂn Avenue you can take a walk along the estuary. Surrounded by buildings, you reach bridge zubizuri, built by Santiago Calatrava, a construction in the shape of a sailboat, with a glass floor. Before crossing it to get to the other side of the NerviĂłn River, hop on the Artxanda funicular. In a few minutes you reach a viewpoint that is more than 800 meters above sea level. From here you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city and the mouth of the estuary.
Once you go down, you cross the Calatrava bridge. Continuing along Uribitarte Avenue you reach the emblematic building of Bilbao, the Guggenheim Museum. You will feel like you are entering a magical world when you meet Mother, a sculpture that represents a huge spider (work by Louise Bourgeois) that welcomes visitors, or when you can admire the colored reflections in the titanium plates that make up the museum structure. A true spectacle that continues in the art collections found inside.
Outside the museum there are many other curiosities: Puppy, a huge 12 meter high dog made of flowers and a bouquet of colored tulips, both works by Jeff Koons.
Once the visit is over, we continue the walk along the estuary, observing extraordinary buildings such as the Museum of Fine Arts or the Palace of Congress and Music, which represents a ship, which can be reached by crossing the romantic urban park of Doña Casilda. Iturrizar.
On the second day you can visit the most traditional area: the Old neighborhood. Start your visit from Arenal Avenue. On Sunday, on the banks of the river, a lively flower market outdoor. From here, continuing along Fueros Street, you reach Plaza Unamuno, full of people at any time and ideal for having a coffee. Behind you are the 213 steps of the mesh roads. If you want to climb them all you will reach the Basilica of Our Lady of Begoña.
The best way to visit the oldest area of ​​the city is to get lost among its cobbled streets, discover the most traditional character of Bilbao and visit monuments, small squares, craft workshops and shops. The area of seven paths (seven parallel streets starting from via Somera) is the most popular. Through these and surrounding streets you can visit the Ribera Market and its colorful stained glass windows (the largest covered market in Europe), the church of San Antón, the cathedral of Santiago (the oldest church in Bilbao) and the Stock Exchange building.
To conclude the itinerary, you can walk along Bidebarrieta Street, reach Plaza del Arenal again and admire the elegant Arriaga Theater, the most emblematic theater in the city.
