Bilbao tours and excursions
Bilbao tours
Walking tours
Bilbao Turismo organises two guided walking tours throughout the year. One of the tours covers the Old Town, offering a snapshot of medieval Bilbao with its cobbled streets, charming corners and squares. The second tour covers the Ensanche-Abandoibarra area and explores Bilbao's architectural and urban development from the 19th century to the present, taking a look at the heart of a city where tradition and modernity converge. The tours start at the tourism office on Plaza Circular 1 and last for about 90 minutes; reservations are not necessary.
Tel: +34 94 479 5760.Website: http://www.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo
Bus tours
The Bus Turistikoa offers hop-on, hop-off deals that depart from the Guggenheim Museum at 17 Lersundi, outside the Tourist Information office. There are 13 stops en route, including the Plaza Arriquibar, the Fine Arts museum, the City Hall and more bridge views than you can imagine. Tickets are valid for 24 hours.
Tel: +34 94 344 1828.Website: http://www.busturistikoa.com
Bilbao excursions
Gernika (Guernica)
Gernika is the small Basque town that was razed to the ground by German aircrafts sent by Hitler to support Franco's troops in the Spanish Civil War. It was an experiment for the blitzkrieg tactics and the bombing of civilians seen in later wars, and it prompted Pablo Picasso to paint his most famous work named after the town itself. Gernika is the traditional heart of Basque nationalism and the famous Tree of Gernika, under which democratic assemblies were held from medieval times up until the 19th century, has been adopted as the symbol of the Basque Country as a whole, and the Biscay Parliament sits in the house next to it. Historical significance aside, excursions should feature a poke around its bustling Monday market and a txakoli (a local dry white wine) tour.
Tel: +34 94 625 5892.Website: http://www.gernika-lumo.org
Bermio
Just 35 km (22 miles) out of Bilbao sits the beautiful fishing town of Bermeo. This remarkably picturesque spot may be small, but it has a real Basque twang. Ideal for a day trip, the streets are alive with historic masterpieces such as the San Fransico Church, built in 1357, and the golden Gothic glow of the tower of Ercilla. The bobbing boats in the tiny harbour can hypnotise, while the nearby cove at Aritzatxu Beach offers ample opportunity for sunbathing and swimming.
Tel: +34 94 617 9154.Website: http://www.bermeokoudala.net
