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Bilbao Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Bilbao
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Bilbao Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Bilbao - Spain's northern industrial port city, Bilbao,
is the political capital of the nationalistic Basque people who
inhabit Spain's three northern provinces, an area known
collectively as Euskadi. The city is not beautiful - the buildings
are soot-stained and the Nervion River running through it is one of
Spain's most polluted waterways, but Bilbao does have some
surprises to offer visitors, and there are plenty of attractions in
the surrounding countryside and around the coast on the Bay of
Biscay which can be easily reached on excursions by rail or
road.
The main attraction in the city is the
controversial Guggenheim Museum, relatively new on the scene,
having been opened in 1997. The city fathers regard this
avant-garde building as the beginning of the city's revitalisation,
which has also recently acquired a new metro system and airport
terminal. Bilbao has some good beaches and a few scenic spots - a
favoured picnic site is on Monte Archanda, north of the old town,
accessible by funicular. Of the beaches Getxo is the favourite,
particularly with surfers, and features a 100-year-old suspension
bridge and some lively bars and nightclubs.
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Bilbao
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Guggenheim Museum
Abandoibarra Et. 2
www.guggenheim-bilbao.es |
What is it? Locals in Bilbao are divided on whether it is
a 'beauty or a beast', but the bizarre multi-million dollar
Guggenheim Museum, opened in 1997, has brought thousands of
visitors flocking to the city to be awed or floored. The massive
museum has no right angles and resembles a metallic flower, clad in
shiny titanium, sited in the former dockyard alongside the Nervion
River. It was designed by Frank Gehry. Inside, apart from
breathtaking spaces, the museum houses the works of some important
20th century artists, including Picasso, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy
Warhol, Willem de Koonig and Clyfford Still. There are also
sections displaying the work of young Basque and Spanish artists,
and rotating exhibits lent by the Guggenheim museums in New York
and Venice.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 8pm (also open Mondays
between June and August)
Phone:94 435 90 80 |
2. Museo de Bellas Artes
Museo Plaza 2
www.museobilbao.com |
What is it? For a more mainstream artistic experience
than that offered by the astonishing Guggenheim gallery, the Museo
de Bellas Artes in the Plaza Museo fits the bill admirably with
some valuable works on display behind an unassuming façade. The
museum's impressive collection spans art from the 12th to 20th
century, highlights being some excellent Flemish works from between
the 15th and 17th centuries. There are also works by El Greco,
Goya, Gauguin, Francis Bacon, Picasso and Velazquez. To the rear of
the building is a sculpture garden.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Saturday 10am and 8pm, Sundays 10am to
2pm
Phone:94 439 6060 |
3. Museu Vasco
Plaza Miguel de Unamuno, 4
www.euskal-museoa.org |
What is it? The Museu Vasco, also known as the Euskal
Museoa or Basque Museum, is in the heart of the old quarter of the
city, housed in a 17th century Jesuit cloister. The museum depicts
Basque culture, history and ethnology, and its exhibits span a wide
range of interests including: weaving, the blacksmith trade,
pastoral life and maritime matters. The displays offer the chance
to dip into Basque political and social life, using everything from
model ships to reconstructions of rooms and
gravestones.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 5pm, Sundays 11am to
2pm
Phone:94 415 5423 |
Bilbao
holidays - Top Events
1. San Fermin (Running of the Bulls)
From 2007-07-06
To 2007-07-14
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What is it? The annual festival honouring Saint Fermin is
most famous for its Running of the Bulls which takes place every
morning throughout the celebrations. Ernest Hemmingway brought the
festival to world attention with his novel 'The Sun Also Rises,'
and millions of brave visitors have since ventured to join in the
all-day-and-night merriment.
Where is it? The town of Pamplona in the north-eastern part of the
country |
2. O Grove Seafood Festival
From 2007-10-02
To 2007-10-12
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What is it? Come October, the north-western province of
Spain grows (as does its reputation) into the place to be for
seafood in Europe. Hundreds of thousands come by to enjoy the
succulent flavours and delights available.
Where is it? O Grove Town Hall, Galicia |
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