Bilbao Essentials

Bilbao Essentials & Tourist Information

Bilbao Tourist Attractions
No short break would be complete without a visit to the awe inspiring Guggenheim Museum. It has transformed the city and is its most iconic feature, boasting sleek futuristic design that is simply unique. It houses a tremendous collection of modern artwork from major names such as Picasso and Warhol and features work from many local Basque country and Spanish artists. Tickets cost €10.50 and it is open daily until 8pm. The Museu Vasco is another worthwhile visit that highlights the rich heritage of the Basque culture and offers an insightful look at the region's history and ethnology.

Useful Spanish Phrases

Bilbao Opening Hours
Bilbao city centre shopping hours are from 10am until 7.30pm Mondays to Saturdays with the majority of small and medium sized stores closing for an extended lunch break between 1pm and 4pm. Larger department stores and supermarkets will remain open throughout the day and often stay open later until around 9pm. Aside from a few tourist orientated stores, virtually all Bilbao traders are closed all day Sunday.

Tipping & Etiquette in Bilbao
Restaurants and bars generally add a service charge automatically to bills amounting to an average of 10% so no further tipping is required. Taxi drivers may be rewarded with the addition of a similar amount on top of the fare and in bars and for baggage attendants a small tip of one or two Euros is sufficient. 

Bilbao Food & Drink
The food of Bilbao is typically Basque in style and substance yet takes many influences from mainstream Spanish and French cooking. The city is noted for its haute cuisine seafood restaurants where dishes such as Bacalao (salt cured cod) hake and baby squid are always popular. Traditional tapas bars throughout the city feature many tempting bite sized meals such as Basque tortilla, roasted ham, chorizo, garlic and pepper beef and a delectable Gâteau Basque. Locally made sheep's milk cheese is renowned with Idiazabal and Roncal among the most popular. Filling dishes of grilled and roast meats such as wood pigeon, pork and lamb are highly regarded and also form the basis of some excellent country style stews. Wash down a meal with local Gipuzkoa cider or a bottle of refreshing Txakoli wine.

Bilbao Useful Numbers
• Calling the UK from Bilbao – 0044 + area code minus zero + number
• Police – 112
• Ambulance – 112
• Fire – 112

Disabled Access in Bilbao
The renaissance of central Bilbao has seen many modern buildings and hotels that provide good access and facilities for the disabled especially along the waterfront and it provides wide and level pavements in which to negotiate with ease in a wheelchair. A good selection of bars and restaurants offer accessibility, although not all the metro system has wheelchair access from street level. Many attractions offer free entry for the disabled and ramp and lift access such as the Guggenheim and Fine Arts Museums.

Spanish Embassies
•British Consulate Alameda de Urquijo 2, 8º 48008 Bilbao Telephone: (34) 94 4157600     
• Spain Embassy - 39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB Telephone: 020 7235 5555

Bilbao City Breaks  Getting Around Bilbao

Things To Do In Bilbao  Bilbao Weather