Bilbao, Spain

White Bridge

Subisuri Bridge (translated from Basque as “White Bridge”) by architect Santiago Calatrava is one of the most unusual sights in the city. It is paved with glass tiles (which, by the way, is replaced at the city a very significant cost) and consists of curved arches. The pedestrian suspension bridge connects two banks of the Nervión River and the Guggenheim Museum with its branch. The structure looks especially impressive at night, when the bridge’s white color reflects off the museum’s glass surfaces. Please be careful: in the rain the glass surface of Subisuri becomes slippery. Recently, it was “covered” with a black non-slip walkway, which greatly spoils the appearance of the attraction, but adds safety.

Santiago Cathedral

The Cathedral of Santiago in Bilbao was built in the 14th century on a northern pilgrimage route (Camino del Norte) to Santiago de Compostela. At the time, there weren’t even any cities here-only a small fishing village. So the cathedral is the oldest building in Bilbao. It has undergone some reconstruction-first after a fire (in the 16th century), and then after flooding-and today it is in excellent condition. Visit the cathedral for Mass or just for a look: the interior is unusually simple for a Catholic cathedral. The Cathedral of Santiago is right in the very center of Bilbao, in the historic quarter of Casco Viejo (Casco Viejo). Be careful-there are many beggars in this area.

Biscay Bridge

The compact bridge over the Nervión River was supposed to connect the cities of Portugalete and Getxo and not interfere with ships passing along the river. That’s how the Biscay Bridge, or Puente Colgante, came to be-its Spanish name means “suspension bridge.” The bridge itself, however, is not suspended: the gondola that carries cars and people from one bank to the other is suspended instead. The transport bridge operates 24/7, and the gondola runs every 8 minutes. Payment is by a separate ticket or by Creditrans card; the cost depends on the time of day (0.3 - 1.2 euros per person, 1.3 - 2.55 euros per car). You can also take the elevator up to the bridge platform to look down and around. To cross the Biscay Bridge on foot, you need to pay 5 euros.

New Square

Plaza Nueva (or the New Square) in Bilbao resembles a huge interior courtyard: it is surrounded by buildings on all sides, and there isn’t always a way through to the square. Today, the square is home to the Academy of the Basque Language (Euskaltzaindia). In the gallery running all around the square, there are cafes with extra tables right on the square, as well as tapas bars. On Sundays, a flea market takes place here, where you can suddenly become the proud owner of battered books, antique coins, birds in wooden cages, as well as mice and turtles, stamps from all over the world, and football cards. Plaza Nueva is also a favorite spot for holding yet another market: whether it’s Santo Tomás around New Year or a mass sale of flower crowns for All Saints’ Day.

Guggenheim Museum

The main attraction drawing tourists in is the Guggenheim Museum. This, perhaps, is the only case in history when a single monument of architecture and art so profoundly changed the life of an entire city. The museum’s opening is something of a turning point in Bilbao’s history, dividing the city’s life into “before” and “after.” The collection of Frank Gehry’s designed museum presents a complete history of 20th-century art: the exhibition includes works in the style of expressionism, pop art, conceptual art, cubism, and minimalism. At the museum, visitors will see paintings by Malevich, Picasso, Kandinsky, Miró, and many other iconic authors of the past century. The museum building itself is a work of art-it looks like either a rose or a futuristic starship.

Doña Casilda Park

This is a huge park with flowers and dancing fountains located behind the Museo de Bellas Artes. Kids will enjoy the ducks in the pond and the carousel, while parents can relax at cafés overlooking the park and watch the peacefully playing little ones. There’s plenty of greenery and benches for resting, and there’s also a stage where performances are held from time to time. From Doña Casilda Park, you can enjoy a nice view of the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao’s main attraction. During the day, the park is calm (except that leashed dogs and children on bicycles move a little faster than expected); in the evening, it’s usually where young people gather.

Casco Viejo

The Medieval Quarter (Old Town) of Bilbao, or in Spanish «Casco Viejo», is centered around seven historical 15th-century streets, the so-called «Las Siete Calles»: Somera, Artekale, Tenderia, Belostikale, Barrenkale, Barrenkale Barrena and Belostikale. In addition to narrow lanes, crowded and noisy bars and bright shops in the Old Town, there are the Cathedral and the churches of San-Nicolas and San-Antonio. For trinkets, head to the Sunday flea market at Plaza Nueva, for flowers for ladies or apartments - to the Sunday flower market at the neighboring Plaza del Arenal. Also, right here in the heart of Bilbao, is the well-known old Ribera market that is famous throughout Europe. The most ruthless shopping experience when it comes to clothing awaits you on Correo Street (Correo).

Bilbao Sightseeing Tour

Introduction to the city’s historic center and main attractions: the Cathedral of Santiago, built in the late 14th century in the Gothic style, the Church of St. Nicholas from the 18th century in the Baroque style, the city’s main street Gran Via, the old covered market La Ribera, and the main tourist attraction-the famous Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art-a masterpiece by renowned cult architect Frank Gehry. A monumental structure of abstract form, frozen above the river, gleaming with silver, named a symbol of the new computer age, has become the city’s calling card and attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists to Bilbao from all over the world. The excursion cost is 160 € (for a group of up to 4 people).

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can find out after booking the cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.