We’ve arrived in this Basque city on the first leg of our Spanish winter holiday.
I initially thought of Bilbao as more of a stopping off point than a destination. Our ferry from Portsmouth docked here and we’re spending the bulk of our time in Spain in Valencia but it’s a wonderful place. Four days probably won’t be enough.
Of course the Guggenheim Museum is the major attraction. Architect Frank Gehry passed away last week but what a legacy.
Described as the major catalyst for the transformation of an industrial wasteland, following the decline of ship building, into a world renown centre for the arts and culture the Guggenheim Museum is stunning – both inside and out.
The River Nervion, that runs through the city and on to the Bilbao Estuary, was central to its industrial development. Today it flows past exciting modern architecture, beautifully restored historic quarters, under multiple bridges and flanked by pedestrian promenades and landscaped parks. It’s a wonderful city to walk around – safe, clean and clearly loved by its inhabitants – young and old alike.
Although it did indeed feel safe the Basque region is known for its militancy and I saw that in action on my second day walking along a street close to our apartment.
They have managed to successfully mix the old with the new – I love the old streets with their delightful apartments. The one we are staying in has a balcony so we can look down on to the revellers below enjoying the bars and restaurants that remain busy until the early hours!
There are lots of sculptures dotted around the streets.
And murals too.
We visited the Museum of Fine Arts. It was only partially opened as they were in the midst of building an extension but was still worth going.
Spotted some creative opportunities with the morning light in and outside the gallery.
The second floor was taken up with a major exhibition of Georg Baselitz. I’d not heard of him but found his work interesting. He paints his portraits upside down but here, for my benefit I’ve turned them 180 degrees – (apologise to Georg).
I really enjoyed strolling around in the evening. They don’t go overboard about Christmas, certainly in the shops is quite underplayed compared to home, but the street decorations are lovely.
Here are a few more photographs taken around and about the city centre:
The visit passed quickly but we did manage a small excursion out of the centre to the port area where the Vizcaya Transporter Bridge is located linking Portulagete and Las Arenas.
This is how cars and foot passengers can cross. But there is another way for intrepid tourists!
Rachel took a bit of persuading but we did it – we walked across the top of the bridge.
