Bilbao is an old metropolis located in northern Spain. Situated along the Bay of Biscay, Bilbao grew with its robust, industrial economy built on the steel and chemical industries. However, today the city is more regarded for its culture, arts and tourism opportunities. Bilbao and its surrounding province are distinct from all other Spanish cities because it is the heartland of the Basque people, who possess a culture and language found nowhere else in Spain.


Founded along the northern Spanish coast in 1300, Bilbao's waterfront grew into a commercial hub of shipbuilding activity. Later, mining activity in the region would strengthen the maritime industry. Today, you can take a walking tour along the waterfront and visit the Maritime Museum, which depicts the rise of the Bilbao maritime industry and hosts exhibits such as 17th-century clipper ships and other seafaring vessels. Other homages to the city's economic history include the Palacia de Euskalduna, an arts center that resembles a rusting ship.


Bilbao offers many types of tours that give visitors an accurate picture of the city. A tour of Bilbao's arts scene isn't complete without a visit to the Guggenheim Art Museum, a titanium, glass and steel architectural wonder built to resemble ship sails in the wind. A gastronomical tour of Bilbao's best cuisine should include visits to Kiskia, a tavern near the Sans Mama soccer stadium serving classic Basque dishes such as sidreria, a chorizo sausage cooked in cider.


Bilbao is a modern city sprinkled with a generous number of historic buildings and old customs. The Casco Viejo, or Old Quarter, is a maze of family-owned shops, restaurants and taverns, while the more modern Gran Via is where today's world of fashion and luxury items can be acquired. Touring Bilbao is best done on foot or by taking public transportation, such as the Euskotram, a trolley that runs alongside the Nervion River.


Bilbao is one of the most tourist-friendly areas to experience the exotic cuisine and culture of the Basque people. While the Basque language of Euskara is more prevalent than Spanish in everything from signage to restaurant menus, when touring Bilbao you will find adequate Spanish translations in even the most rustic, locally owned establishments. When choosing your wardrobe, be aware that Bilbao has a mild, coastal climate with average summer temperatures of 68 degrees Fahrenheit and winter highs of 48 degrees.


The U.S. State Department warns tourists that "the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorist organization remains active in Spain." The ETA's goal is to create a Basque homeland separate from the rest of Spain, and its propaganda and graffiti are highly visible in certain areas of Bilbao. Although most of its targets have been the Spanish military and government officials, some Americans have also been killed. The U.S. government warns tourists to stay away from demonstrations and other potentially violent situations.


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