Though it isn't the political capital of the Pais Vasco, Bilbao is its cultural and economic heart, a city of almost a million that stretches from the beautiful Bay of Biscay to the foot of the mighty Pyrenees. Fine Basque cuisine reaches its tasty apex in Bilbao's elegant eateries and cute cafés, the city's nightlife rolls well past dawn, and its fabulous festivals offer something for visitors all year round.
Bilbao is both ancient and modern, with buildings that probably date to well before its official founding in the 1300s, such as gloriously Gothic Santiago Cathedral (most recently revamped in the 1500s), as well as modern masterpieces like the famed Guggenheim Museum, its wending ribbons of steel reflected in the Nervión River, and every tourist brochure for the city.
There is no end to the appeal of bustling Bilbao, with enough to keep travelers busy for a weekend or a lifetime.
Bilbao is the Basque Country's most popular destination and important city, and therefore at the heart of regional transport. High-volume Bilbao Airport (BIO) usually has the best deals and most convenient connections in the Basque, with direct flights to international cities.
BizkaiBus 3247 connects the airport, city center, and main bus station, where you can catch regular buses throughout the Basque and northern Spain. Bizkaibus line A-3151 connects the city to the port, where you can catc ferries (book in advance if you have a car) to Portsmouth, England. Many travelers consider the Basque's bus system superior to its growing network of trains.
