Bilbao

Culinary & Nightlife

Over 500 years of history will be explored on this walking tour. From the Cathedral of Santiago, Plaza Nueva, the Church of St. Anton and the ruins on which it stands, to the Mercado de la Ribera. This is where the town was born, this is where the port was, and from where the city opened to the world - serving as a bridge between northern Europe and the Hispanic kingdoms. You'll be guided by your professional tour guide in a small group. Learn the history that took place in the streets that Miguel de Unamuno once walked through. Your guide will also take you on a traditional “txikiteo” or “poteo” (bar crawl) to the area's most iconic bars.

Take a journey to mix with the locals. Take a tour through the bars of the old town of Bilbao with a local guide, who was born in Bilbao. This unique gastronomic experience is a must when visiting the Basque Country. Delve into the lifestyle and traditions of the inhabitants of Bilbao, explore the old part of the city and taste the most traditional pintxos.  Learn about the origin and development of the city by visiting four traditional places to taste typical pintxos, one of the specialties of the exquisite Basque cuisine. The pintxo is the Basque version of the Spanish tapa and is taken with a typical drink, usually wine or txakoli. They are delicious gourmet sandwiches that you can find everywhere.

Explore Bilbao by bike like a local, on an easy 3-hour tour of all the city’s main sights, accompanied by a knowledgable guide who will tell you the history of the fascinating city and its old and new attractions. Departing from the central Calle de Villarias, follow your guide along bike lanes and pedestrianized streets to avoid the busy traffic. Follow the course of the river to learn why it was essential to the development of the city. Encompassing contemporary and historic sites, the tour will stop at the dramatic Guggenheim Museum, which opened on the banks of the Nervión River and was designed by the architect Frank Gehry in the 1990s. Marvel at the Euskalduna Conference Centre, built on the site of the old shipyards, and see the new San Mamés football stadium. Explore historic Bilbao at sites such as the Neo-baroque Teatro Arriaga. Cycle the narrow streets and wide plazas of the Casco Viejo (Old Town), and discover the site of the old city walls by the San Antón Bridge, linking Bilbao La Vieja and Casco Viejo.

Bilbao's "casco Viejo" is known as the "Seven Streets", and has always been the heart of the city. The area was rehabilitated after some floods in 1983, and combines the old pedestrian streets and traditional Basque shops with the most innovative bars and restaurants where you can taste the very best of Basque cuisine. In its corners are the oldest churches and monuments of the city, including the Cathedral of Santiago, the Church of San Antón, the Mercado de la Ribera, the Municipal Library of Bidebarrieta and Plaza Nueva. Between the walls of this city lies a traditional wine from the area, titled "txakoli". You can discover how the wine is made, and experience the vineyards partnered with unbeatable views. You will be able to taste a txakoli wine whilst also tasting other typical products and observing the nearby mountains and San Mamé's arch. To better understand the traditional way of making txakoli, you will board a 30-minute train to see villages inland of Lezama, where a minibus will pick you up to take you to a winery. The vineyards are visited and a tasting of different Basque Country wines is conducted under the direction of a txakolinero teacher to help you discover the culture of typical txakoli. You will also try traditionally prepared products such as txorizo, bread and cheese from the area. At the conclusion of your tour, you will be returned to your accommodation in Bilbao.

Explore the stunning sights of San Sebastian, one of Europe’s most charming cities just an hour away from Bilbao, famous for its high quality food and pintxos, a traditional Spanish snack. Start the day with a wander around the city with your expert guide and learn about the area and the locals. Refuel your energy with a stop for some pintxos and a refreshing drink to keep you going throughout the day. Next, visit a number of small fishing villages on the coast, including Orio, Getaria, and San Telmo, and get to know the locals and their traditional way of life.

This tour is designed to guide you into one of the oldest traditional "cave-cellars" in the area, dug 7-8 meters (23-26 feet) deep under the houses. This is a fabulous experience not to be missed! This activity also includes  tasting wines in one of the most famous local wineries. You can also tour 'Marques del Riscal' winery cellar/hotel, which was designed by Frank Gehry, the architect who designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. You will also walk along the medieval streets of Laguardia, one of the most charming towns in La Rioja area, before discovering local home-made food for lunch in an off the beaten track, non touristy restaurant.

This tour is focused on the path of St. Ignatius, from his birth to the founding of the Society of Jesus. You will begin with a visit to the spectacular Basilica of Loiola, which was built in the 18th century. You'll then visit Saint Ignatius' family house and birthplace (in Loiola, Azpeitia), the hermitage of La Antigua in Zumarraga (where Saint Ignatius made a stop during his pilgrimage), and the Sanctuary of Arantzazu, which is located in a spectacular spot in a gorge and was rebuilt in the 1950s. It is also a showcase of modern religious art at its finest, having been awarded with several international prizes. This is a day full of spirituality which is bound to leave both faithful and non-religious tourists alike awed by the sheer beauty of its sights.

In a 3-hour guided tour, discover medieval Bilbao’s charming streets and squares along with the intense commercial and port activity that made this city into what it is today. Start by meeting your guide and delving into the city’s ancient past: see the city’s outer walls, the Gothic Cathedral of Santiago, the Plaza Nueva, and the emblematic Church of San Antón, totaling more than 500 years of history that seems to transcend time.   Then, continue your tour to the well-known Ensanche, a key sign of the progress of this city. See the urban development of Bilbao and its architectural wonders from the 19th through to the 21st century. It will be here that you’ll witness the pulsating heart of a city that exudes both tradition and avant-garde style.   Your visit ends with the opportunity to sample one of the most iconic Bilbao foods: pintxos. These are small snacks skewered with a toothpick, usually eaten socially in bars, which makes them the perfect way to end this small group tour with your new friends.

The province of Vizcaya has hundreds of charming places but it is difficult to find one that exceeds San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, located between Bermeo and Bakio. You will discover the history of the Hermitage of Gaztelugatxe while climbing the 241 stairs that lead to it, and get to know Bilbao, its old part, and the banks of the Nervión river, before finally visiting the Guggenheim Museum. Enjoy a pintxo meal along the way paired with Rioja wines and relax on the small group size tour with our expert guide who will show you the treasures of Vizcaya geography. Itinerary: Departure at 9:00 AMArrival at 10:30 AM to Gaztelugatxe and departure at 12:00-12:30PMFrom 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM head to Bilbao. You will have the chance to eat pintxos either before, during or after this visit (4 pintxos and 4 wines)Visit Guggenheim from 3:30 PM until 5:00 PM.6:00 PM: arrive in San Sebastián

Savor delicious wines and local snacks with this group winery tour in Bilbao. Tour an organic and sustainable winery and learn more about the winemaking process from a professional winemaker. Walk through the vineyards and admire the serenity of the natural landscapes in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Find out more about the philosophy of the Bodega winery. Experience the terroir that creates their unique wines. Sip on two different Txakolis (a famous local sparkling, white wine that is very dry), during the tasting. Try some Idiazabal cheese with a typical bask appetizer of olives, anchovies, and peppers.