Bilbao City Highlights, Old Quarter & Guggenheim Museum Tour

Streets, Landmarks & Old Quarter of Bilbao

Bilbao, Vizcaya´s capital and symbol of the Basque Country was founded in the year 1300 by Sir Diego Lopez de Haro, Lord of Vizcaya. Step into the heart of Bilbao's history and culture with a walk through the Casco Viejo (Old Quarter), the city's oldest neighbourhood. In its streets, we can find the main features of the city, the oldest shops, Bilbao Santiago´s Cathedral, The Ethnographic, Historical and Archaeological Museum and the tapas around its first "Seven Streets" (popular name of the area). Other iconic landmarks include Plaza Nueva (New Square), the Arriaga Theatre,  and the charming churches of San Antón, San Nicolás, and San Juan. These winding streets, steeped in centuries of Basque and Spanish heritage, reveal Bilbao´s remarkable transformation from a modest fishing village to a bustling market town.

Despite facing the devastating 1983 flood, Casco Viejo remains resilient evidence of Bilbao's enduring spirit. Beyond the famous Siete Calles, you will uncover hidden gems such as the Bidebarrieta Library, Casa Mazarredo, Palacio de Yohn, and the stunning Palacio Arana. 

The Iconic Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim Museum was built by the well known Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. The museum´s structure stands as an immense sculpture, made of titanium, limestone, and glass. It has become the most recognizable symbol of Bilbao. Within its walls, the exhibition galleries offer a captivating blend of surprising and orthogonal designs, each contributing to a dynamic visual experience. At the heart of all of it stands the stunning Atrium, crowned with a metallic flower over its skylight.

DAY 1:
BILBAO

• Meet your private English-speaking guide and chauffeur in the lobby of your hotel or at a designated meeting point if you are not staying in a city centre hotel.
  
• A panoramic tour of Bilbao´s important monuments to begin.
• Then enjoy an intensive visit to the World Famous Guggenheim Museum.
• After a walk through the Old Quarter with an explanation of the monuments as you walk by them.
• We have reserved a table for your lunch either before or after the tour at a recommended restaurant. 

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END OF CUSTOMIZED TOUR SERVICES