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| A revitalised focus on art & architecture |
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The Guggenheim is not the only reason to visit Bilbao, and don't
be put off by the weather: there's plenty on offer here both in and
out of doors. The tranquil winter season is an ideal time to visit
the Basque Country's largest city. Some of its best features are
indoors, namely art and food.
While Frank O. Gehry’s
dramatic creation is on the top of the list as far as Bilbao sights,
The Arte Ederren Museoa (Museum of Fine Art) is another artistic
attraction for museum-lovers. It houses over 6,000 paintings,
sculptures and drawings, dating from the 12th century to the present
day.
Of course, there is the Guggenheim. Its creative, organic design
and its spectacular shows have been a major factor in the
revitalization of Bilbao, helping to boost the city's economy and
outside appeal. Its 19 galleries house some of the world’s best
avant-garde art, mainly focussing on some of the most important
artists of the second half of the 20th century including Willem de
Kooning, Antoni Tàpies and Andy Warhol. Among its permanent
installations are Jeff Koons’ giant Tulips, Louis Burgeois’
frightening Mama, and Arcos Rojos by Daniel Buren.
Outside, take a walk around the premises and stand near the
riverside to witness the considered way the museum converges with its
surroundings—creating a blended (and imaginary) triangle between
the Museo de Bellas Artes, the Universidad de Deusto and the Teatro
Arriaga. With the Nervión River passing between these
institutions, the buildings seem to have flow and movement.
Spider at Guggenheim Bilbao - Photo by Jessica Edwards
Bilbao is an architecture lover’s dream. It's small enough to
stroll around the city to take in the sites such as the Euskalduna
Concert Hall and Convention Centre, a gorgeous site. Even Bilbao’s
metro is a testament to the city’s architectural ambitions: it was
designed and built in the late 1980s by Norman Foster and features
glass tunnels that offer access to the stations.
Eating
Out
Basques love to party and Bilbao brims with
options from world-class opera and classical concerts to gay clubs,
tapas bars and late-night discos. Hit the tapas bars in the old
quarter and then wander over to the Indautxu and Abando areas for
late night clubs. The ambitious may want to participate in a txikiteo
– a pub crawl where the only things ingested are txikitos
(small shots of wine) or zuritos (small glasses of beer). For
tapas or pintxoak (pintxos Basque for tapas), try Estoril which
specializes in delectable stacked, Basque-style tapas. El Globo takes
the idea of tapas to another level. They’ve elaborated on the
traditional pintxo for a more creative snack. At Artajo try the house
specialtly: spicy tigres - fried, stuffed mussels. For a traditional
Basque meal sample the seafood and cider at El Viejo Zortzi. If you
are hankering for a bit of oxtail or salted cod (a local specialty)
Bola-Viga will satisfy any cravings for traditional fare.
Sleeping
Over
The Hotel Ostatua is an inviting place
and amazing value. Rooms are spacious and most have a little balcony
with views of the neighbourhood, plus they offer a bountiful
breakfast for a small additional cost. Ostatua is a great deal with
its classic location about a block away from the Catedral de Santiago
and a handful of good restaurants. If Ostatua is booked, there are
other options such as Abba Parque, an adequate 3-star a couple of
blocks from the Guggenheim. G.H. Dómine Bilbao Silken is an
opulent 5-star located right in front of the Guggenheim with primo
views of the museum and river. If you’re looking for something
quiet, Hotel Artetxe may suit you. A former farmhouse-turned-boutique
hotel with just twelve rooms, it’s two kilometres from the city
centre, meaning a car is a must for this countryside option.
Around
and About
The Basque countryside is uniquely
stunning with its characterful small farms, white cottages and jade
hills. If you don’t have a car, the local Eusko Tren passes
through most points of interest in the region. Beaches are less than
an hour away from Bilbao, as is Gernika and Vitoria-Gasteiz. The
Eusko Tren ride itself is an experience offering serene leafy Basque
landscapes on almost all routes.
Getting
There
Bilbao is reached by a slow train ride from
Madrid and Barcelona on RENFE. If going by car, the trip is much
faster. From Madrid head north on the E-5, and you’ll reach Bilbao
in about 4.5 hours, give or take. From Barcelona take the E-30
towards Zaragoza and head north for about 5.5 hours.
Fact
File:
The Guggenheim Bibao
www.guggenheim-bilbao.es
Arte
Ederren Museoa
www.museobilbao.com
Hotels
Hotel
Ostatua – Santa Maria Kalea 14
94 416 1500 (€60 and
up)
Abba Parque – Rodríguez Arias 66
94 441 3100
(€100 and up)
G.H. Dómine Bilbao Silken – Alameda
Mazarreao 61
94 425 3300 (€165 and up)
Hotel Artetxe –
Ctraa. Enekuri-Artxanda, Km. 7
94 474 7780 (€50 and
up)
Restaurants
Bola-Viga
– Enrique Eguren 4
94 443 5026 (€35 p/p)
El Viejo Zortzi –
Licenciado Poza 54
94 441 92 49 (€40 p/p)
Artajo – Ledesma
7
94 424 8596
El Globo – Diputación 8
94 415
4221
Estéril – Emilio Campuzano 3
94 441
1033
Other
Eusko Tren - www.euskotren.es
Tourist Office: www.bilbao.net/bilbaoturismo
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