Things to Do in Bilbao
The Essential Tour of Bilbao!
You have a perfect opportunity to enjoy the most complete tour of the historic center of Bilbao.
We have the best team of professional local guides at your service.
Discover the heritage, culture and history of Bilbao with rigor and entertainment, without rushing, seasoned with anecdotes and curiosities.
Enjoy!
Brief description and itinerary:
From its medieval old town (Las Siete Calles) to the alternative Bilbao La Vieja we will explore the origins of this merchant town from the beginning of the 14th century, strolling through its first streets, buildings, squares and markets. You will discover the importance of the estuary, the activity mining and industrial, the historical events. The history of Great characters awaits us in an essential visit to get to know the town of Bilbao.
Meeting point: Plaza Arriaga
- Arriaga Theatre
- El Arenal Church of San Nicolás and origin of the BBV
- New and Old Square
- The Basque language and Euskaltzaindia
- The Cathedral of Santiago
- UNESCO Way of St. James
- Great Bilbao players: Unamuno, Aresti, Pichichi...
- The Seven Streets, Traditions and Gastronomy
- San Antón Bridge and Church
- Old Bilbao
- Marzana Pier
- Local shops and art
- La Ribera Market
And much more....
End point: Plaza Arriaga or nearby.
What does this tour include?
- Professional guides: Tours with expert local guides. Experienced historians, architects and guides from the most important museums will show you the city with passion.
- Local tips: Our knowledge is at your disposal. We are here to help you enrich your trip with good recommendations.
Don't hesitate to ask us!
“Ongi etorri!” means Welcome! Join our free tour and immerse yourself with us in the culture and traditions of the city, visiting the most iconic monuments of the old town of BILBAO, because here we are villains!
We will begin the free tour of Bilbao in front of one of the most notable buildings in the town: the Arriaga Theater , did you know that it is dedicated to said Bilbao composer, called the 'Spanish Mozart'?
We will walk through the Arenal Gardens , the gateway to the Old Town of Bilbao, a lively urban park full of surprises such as the Music Kiosk , a meeting place for Bilbao residents. From this point, we will look out over the Nervión estuary, the backbone of the city.
Shall we continue? The church of San Nicolás, the Yohn Palace and the Plaza Nueva await us, a famous location for its pintxos bars. The history is important but even more so are the anecdotes and curiosities that gave life to its streets and countrymen, some as illustrious as Miguel de Unamuno or Amadeo de Saboya. Do you know that he starred in one of the most unforgettable “bilbainadas”?
We know that gastronomy interests you, that's why we have prepared something for you and during your visit we will recommend traditional and modern places where you can have the best pintxos and other typical dishes.
We will walk through Bilbao of the “ seven streets ” that houses centuries-old businesses, vestiges of the port's past, fragments of the old wall and emblems such as the Cathedral of Santiago , an obligatory stop on the northern route of the Camino. Although in Bilbao we have two cathedrals... Do you know which one is the other?
An obligatory stop on our tourist tour is the Ribera Market , a fantastic space where you can continue discovering Bilbao's gastronomy.
We will let ourselves be carried away by the channel of the estuary, so linked to the history of the town and which will give us the opportunity to end the visit talking about curiosities and many recommendations to continue enjoying the essentials of Bilbao.
Come discover this and much more.
We will wait for you!
With this tour, you will discover and enjoy the best buildings and routes of the modern part of Bilbao. We will meet at the Moyua Square, one of the most beautiful places of the city.
From there, we'll visit some of the most emblematic buildings of Ensanche of Bilbao, like the Alhondiga and Diputacion.
The walk will continue near the river, where we'll talk about the Guggenhiem effect, and we'll finish inside the Guggenheim, the modern art museum that transformed the image of Bilbao since its inauguration in 1997.
The Memory Walk (El Paseo de la Memoria) is an open-air- artistic walk along way the river estuary of the side of the Guggenheim Museum. Used to be a high industrial area, and now is the favourite place for a stroll. Having the Museum in its centre, bridges, buildings and sculptures are full of hidden stories, waiting for whom wants to listen.
The walk is of a straight course of about four kilometres and very relaxing, mainly because of the time of the day chosen to do. During an hour an a half, we'll talk about the Guggenheim Effect and why the Museum was built in Bilbao, the beginning of the Athletic Football Team, the stories of the bridges that we'll pass and about some even more interesting stories about its people whom lived in a city which has been transformed like no other, but wants to keep its memory alive.
In 2018 Bilbao was declared “Best European City” – do you want to know why?
We will meet in front of the modernist façade of the Estación de la Concordia , to begin this free tour of the essentials of Bilbao. Are you ready to discover the most emblematic corners of the Biscayan capital? Let's go!
We will cross Abando Station , with a mandatory stop at its spectacular and colorful window, to head towards the commercial and financial center of the city: El Ensanche. This area is also known as the “Golden Mile”, as it is where the most exclusive shops, luxury homes, financial headquarters and business offices are located.
Don Diego López de Haro, founder of the town, will appear on our tour to explain how its industrial past, linked to iron, blossomed into a unique model of an avant-garde city, without losing sight of the Basque charisma.
As we stroll along the Gran Via that bears his name, we will discover wonderful buildings such as the Provincial Council , the Campos Elíseos Theatre or the Alhóndiga (Azkuna Centre), the epicentre of Bilbao's cultural life. Almost without realising it, we find ourselves in the heart of the Ensanche, the Plaza Moyúa , where we will appreciate the exterior architecture of the Chávarri Palace and the Carlton Hotel .
But this is not the end of it, there are still a few more essentials for you to discover. A good example is the Museum of Fine Arts , which, located next to a large garden, houses one of the most important and complete art collections in the country.
We will follow the art trail that traces its itinerary until we find the famous Guggenheim Museum , one of the most famous works of the famous Canadian architect Frank Gehry. Here you will meet Puppy , the guard dog that tirelessly guards the doors of the museum.
After two and a half hours - which fly by - we will approach the Puente de la Salve to enjoy a fascinating panoramic view of this contemporary city.
There’s a saying that each of us has our own city. A city within a city.
We believe this is absolutely true, no matter where you are in the world. And we invite you to explore Bilbao with us through a very personal, intimate route. From the hotel near the famous theater where we stayed while looking for permanent accommodation, to the wonderful local bar with the most delicious homemade lunches – a place where only locals go.
We'll take you on the same path we followed two years ago when we first arrived in Bilbao. Along the way, we’ll not only tell you about the city’s history and landmarks, but also share our experience of what it’s like to move here—studying at the university, searching for a job, making new friends, and settling into life in Bilbao.
We are experienced travelers and guides with years of experience leading private tours. So, expect useful tips on where to find the best, most affordable, and tastiest spots in town, along with a few essential phrases in Spanish and Basque to help you communicate. All we ask of you is good energy and an open mind, ready to discover this amazing city.
The Essential Tour to discover the great change in Bilbao!
With us, discover the heritage, culture and history of Bilbao with rigor and entertainment, without rushing, seasoned with anecdotes and curiosities.
Enjoy!
Note: Both the historical tour and the modern tour offered by Basque Free tours Bilbao complement each other, you can enjoy them in the order you prefer.
Brief description and itinerary:
From the expansion to the new architecture in Abandoibarra, we will learn about the transformation that has revolutionized Bilbao.
A world-renowned and award-winning urban planning driven by architectural effects and monumental works. A grand tour of the most emblematic and important buildings accompanied by historic moments and anecdotes from Bilbao.
Meeting point: Plaza Arriaga
- City hall
- Volantin Field
- Basque sculptors: Oteiza, Chillida ...
- Isozaki and Zubizuri Towers
- Ibaigane Palace
- Athletic Club
- The Gran Via and the great families
- Plaza Moyua and "Fosteritos"
- Guggenheim Museums Bilbao
- Iberdrola Tower
- Universities
- Dona Casilda Park
- Museum of Fine Arts
And much more....
What this tour includes:
- Professional guides: Tours with expert local guides. Experienced historians, architects and guides from the most important museums will show you the city with passion.
- Local tips: Our knowledge is at your disposal. We are here to help you enrich your trip with good recommendations.
Don't hesitate to ask us!
Important information:
-The modern tour lasts approximately 2 hours. It usually ends near Plaza Moyua. Ask the guide before departure, as it may end nearby depending on the weather or guide.
-The tours always go out, rain or shine. We are in Bilbao 😊
-We recommend appropriate walking shoes, an umbrella if rain is forecast, and a reusable bottle to enjoy the water from our many fountains during the tour.
-BFT reserves the right to cancel the tour if the minimum of 4 participants is not reached.
We are convinced that we offer the best tour to enjoy Bilbao!
Get to know the most amazing legends of Bilbao by touring the capital of Biscay with this free tour. A route full of mystery and intrigue.
We will begin this free tour of mysteries and legends of Bilbao in front of the Arriaga Theater , the scene of a cruel murder still unsolved... Very close to this place we will contemplate the façade of the Cathedral of Santiago , whose exterior architecture will provide us with interesting clues about Basque mythology.
The next stop on this special tour of the capital of Biscay will take place at the Portal de Zamudio . Did you know that this crossroads is linked to none other than the witches of Bilbao? Just opposite is the Parroquia de los Santos Juanes , which guards the so-called “Miraculous Virgin”. If it weren't for her, the people of Bilbao would have suffered epidemics and other unpleasant torments...
We will continue the free tour of Bilbao next to the church of San Antón and the Mercado de la Ribera . If you still do not know the famous “Miracle of Atxuri”, this is a good place to reveal its curious history. Very close to this point is the Plaza de la Encarnación , where we will shudder remembering a turbulent event related to the most perverse and depraved side of the human being.
To get rid of the bad vibes of this last story, we will conclude the free tour at the Puente de la Merced . According to legend... Its sculptures bring good luck!