Where the hell is Bilbao? That was my first thought when someone told me: Hey, Till, do you wanna fly over to Bilbao? Some of you may think now – Jesus, Geography – I am a wimp in Geography! But – God bless, we have internet – and while googling Bilbao – I thought that this is going to be an amazing day trip to Spain: palm trees, sunshine and good food. AND all these wishes came to pass.
However, let“™s start right from the beginning: After a three hours flight to Bilbao, I was kind of surprised: right at the airport I felt the first sun rays on my skin and I saw palm trees for the first time this year. My heart was jumping quickly and I forgot immediately that my trip would only last 24 hours – but I will make the best of it. First, check into the hotel. Arriving there, I could not believe what I saw: modern, fancy, high-value and completely urban – that“™s the Barceló Bilbao Nervión.
hotel recommadation: Barceló Bilbao Nervión
The hotel is located downtown at the river „Nervión“, which runs through the entire city. This city lies – exactly like Stuttgart – in a pocket – the only difference: in Bilbao, one could see the high mountains with snow on top!
Back at the hotel – I would call it a „fancy desing hotel“. I took the lift to the 7th floor to see my room. I quickly opened the door with my keycard and there I found nice welcome gifts: fruits and an astonishing view – I really wanted to start screaming because I was so excited and overwhelmed by this paradise-like view. The room – 70m² – had a curved glass front starting from the floor to the ceiling. That“™s how I imagine my own penthouse in Stuttgart.
Culture and architecture of Bilbao
After a quick jumping session on the bed, I started my journey to visit the beautiful historic city. Remember I only had 24hrs. The Basque country in the North of Spain is not only known for tapas, sun and the close distance to the sea, Bilbao has an unique architecture: a mixture of century-old houses and modern sky scrapers. Right in the middle, located near the river, lies the „Guggenheim Museum“ – embedded into this mixture of architecture.
The story of the „Guggenheim“ lies directly in front of the museum: a gigantic dog puppy – made of plants – was placed there for the museum“™s opening and should have been torn down after the opening. But the Bilbao people wanted to keep the „plant puppy“, so they had 100.000 people to sign a petition in order to keep „Puppy“ (that“™s the actual name of the art piece by Jeff Koons) in Bilbao. And the succeeded. Probably this fact explains that almost every citizen owns a dog.
My 5 Bilbao Must-Sees
I made it: I have explored everything of Bilbao which one could make within 24hrs including a coosy night in my kingsize bed at the fancy hotel suite. If you are considering to visit Bilbao, that“™s what you really need to see:
- Barceló Bilbao Nervión , Desin hotel with fancy rooms including an amazing view and affordable
- Old Town, Historical City with lots of bars and restaurants
- Promenade at Nervión River, strolling promenade – it“™s not like a „seeing-seeing“ – it“™s more like relaxing and enjoying yourself.
- Guggenheim Museum, one of seven in the entire world featury a exhibition about „Africa“ – and „Puppy“
- Ropeway Artxanda, ropeway which brought me to the city“™s „Kesselberg“ if you want to see the city from above – you“™re in for 80cents.
Bilbao is always worth a journey and not only made for a 24hrs-visit.
For the research of this article we were invited to Bilbao by „Barceló“.“¨ Thank you for the amazing stay at your hotel and the overwhelming view out of my hotel suite. I“™ll be back soon!
