Bilbao is a city in the Basque Country, Spain, that has a long and rich history, culture, and cuisine. Bilbao is famous for many things, such as its industrial heritage, its artistic innovation, its gastronomy, and its football team.

Famous Drinks in Bilbao

One of the most characteristic drinks of Bilbao is the txakoli, which is a white wine made from local grapes. Txakoli is usually served chilled and poured from a height to create bubbles. Txakoli has a light and fruity flavor and a low alcohol content. You can find many txakolindegis (txakoli bars) and restaurants in Bilbao that offer txakoli and pintxos (small bites of food on bread). Another popular drink in Bilbao is the zurito, which is a small glass of beer. Zurito is a typical drink in Bilbao’s bars and taverns, where you can enjoy it with some pintxos or tapas (small dishes of food). Zurito is also a common drink at festivals and celebrations, such as the Aste Nagusia (Big Week) or the Santo Tomás Day. A third famous drink in Bilbao is the patxaran, which is a liqueur made from sloe berries and aniseed. Patxaran has a dark red color and a sweet and aromatic flavor. Patxaran is usually served chilled or with ice as an after-dinner drink or a digestif. You can find patxaran in most bars and shops in Bilbao, as well as in some traditional festivals, such as the San Juan Night or the San Antón Day.

Famous Sports in Bilbao

Bilbao is a city that loves sports, especially football and pelota. The city has its own football team, Athletic Club de Bilbao, which plays in the top division of the Spanish league, La Liga. The team was founded in 1898 and has a loyal fan base that supports them at their home stadium, San Mamés. Athletic Club de Bilbao has won eight La Liga titles and 24 Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) titles, making it one of the most successful clubs in Spain. The team also has a unique policy of only signing players who are born or trained in the Basque Country, making it one of the most distinctive clubs in the world. The city also hosts an annual football tournament, the Euskal Herria Cup (Basque Country Cup), which features teams from the Basque Country and Navarre. The city also has a pelota team, Club Deportivo de Pelota de Bilbao, which plays in the top division of the Spanish league, Liga de Honor de Pelota Vasca (Honor League of Basque Pelota). Pelota is a traditional sport that involves hitting a ball with a hand, a basket, or a wooden racket against a wall. Pelota has many variants and modalities, such as mano (hand), cesta punta (basket tip), or pala (paddle). You can see pelota matches in many frontones (pelota courts) in Bilbao, such as the Frontón Bizkaia or the Frontón La Casilla.

Famous Streets in Bilbao

Bilbao has many charming and lively streets that reflect its history and culture. One of the most famous streets in Bilbao is Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro , which is a major avenue that runs through the center of the city. Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro is known for its impressive architecture, its shops, its cafes, and its monuments. Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro is also known as the main stage of many parades and events in Bilbao, such as the Cabalgata de Reyes (Three Kings Parade) or the Begoña Day . Another famous street in Bilbao is Calle Ledesma , which is a pedestrian street that connects Plaza Moyúa , where you can see the Palacio Chávarri , with Plaza Circular , where you can see the Banco de España . Calle Ledesma has many bars and restaurants that offer some of the best pintxos and tapas in town. Calle Ledesma is also one of the most lively streets in Bilbao’s nightlife, as it has many pubs and clubs that play music and shows. A third famous street in Bilbao is Calle Somera , which is one of the oldest and most historic streets in the city. Calle Somera is located in the old town of Bilbao , Casco Viejo , and has many historic buildings and monuments along its way, such as the Cathedral of Santiago , the Church of San Antón , or the Mercado de la Ribera . Calle Somera is also one of the most festive streets in Bilbao, as it hosts many festivals and events, such as the Aste Nagusia (Big Week) or the Santo Tomás Day .

FAQs about Bilbao

• How do I get to Bilbao? You can get to Bilbao by plane , train , bus , or car . The nearest airport is Bilbao Airport , which is about 12 km from the city center. You can take a bus , a taxi , or a shuttle from there to get to your destination. You can also take a train from other cities in Spain or Europe to Bilbao’s main train station , Abando , which is located near Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro . From there you can take a metro , a tram , a bus , a taxi , or a walk to the city center. You can also take a bus from other cities in Spain or Europe to Bilbao’s main bus station , Termibus , which is located near San Mamés . From there you can take a metro , a tram , a bus , a taxi , or a walk to the city center. If you prefer to drive, you can take the A-8 or AP-68 motorways to get to Bilbao.
• When is the best time to visit Bilbao? Bilbao is a city that can be visited all year round, as it has an oceanic climate and many attractions and events throughout the seasons. However, some of the best times to visit Bilbao are spring and autumn , as the weather is mild and the city is less crowded. Spring is also a great time to see the flowers and gardens of Bilbao, such as the Doña Casilda Park or the Etxebarria Park , as well as to enjoy the Easter celebrations and the Basque Country Day . Autumn is also a good time to see the changing colors of the leaves and the fruits of Bilbao, such as the apples or the chestnuts , as well as to enjoy the Begoña Day or the International Film Festival .
• What are some of the must-see attractions in Bilbao? Bilbao has many attractions that are worth seeing, but some of the most important ones are:
  • The Guggenheim Museum : The Guggenheim Museum is one of the most famous and innovative art museums in the world. It was designed by Frank Gehry and opened in 1997. It has a collection of over 20,000 works from the 20th and 21st centuries. Some of the artists that you can see in the Guggenheim Museum are Picasso , Kandinsky , Warhol , or Hockney . You can also admire the stunning architecture, the sculptures, and the installations outside and inside the museum.
  • The Casco Viejo : The Casco Viejo is the old town of Bilbao that preserves its medieval layout and atmosphere. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has many historic buildings and monuments, such as the Cathedral of Santiago , the Church of San Antón , or the Arriaga Theatre . You can also explore its charming corners, such as Plaza Nueva , Plaza Unamuno , or Calle Somera . You can also enjoy some of the best pintxos and tapas in its bars and restaurants.
  • The Zubizuri : The Zubizuri is a pedestrian bridge that crosses the Nervión river and connects Campo Volantín with Uribitarte. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava and opened in 1997. It has a curved shape and a white color that resembles a sail. It has a glass floor that offers a unique view of the river and the city. It is one of the most iconic symbols of Bilbao’s modernity and innovation.

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