While museums and old architecture are Bilbao highlights, the city has plenty in the way of attractions that will appeal to young visitors and sporting enthusiasts alike. Ranking as one of the best places in northern Spain to witness a bullfight, Bilbao maintains this traditional sport along with more modern sports, such as football and golf. The coast provides not only traditional fishing villages but pretty, secluded beaches where swimming and other beach activities can be pursued.

Beaches
Within a 20-minute drive of Bilbao are several secluded, Atlantic-facing beaches. Among these, Playa de Azkorri in Getxo is one of the most popular with its Blue Flag award, strong currents ideal for water sports, hotels and restaurants. Families with young kids will prefer Playa de La Arena Muskiz, a large beach with a children’s play area, and Playas de Gorliz y Plentzia with its esplanade, marina, and pine forest perfect for picnics.

Bullfighting
The Spanish tradition of bullfighting isn’t to everyone’s tastes but for many, watching this sport is a highlight of a trip to Bilbao. If you don’t want to watch a fight, the taurino (bullring) can be toured, as can the bull pens and the bullfighters’ quarters. An interesting museum onsite gives a good historical background of the sport and is suitable for children. 
Phone: +34 902 151 500

Dona Casilda Park
Known locally as Parque de Dona Casilda, this 100-year-old location has remained a favourite area of respite in modern times. Here families and couples can wander among ponds, trees, flower beds and fountains for relaxation away from the bustling city centre. The park is ideal for a visit before or after a trip to the close by Museum of Fine Art (Museo de Bellas Artes). 
Phone: +34 944 71 0301

Football
The 40,000-seat San Mamés Football Stadium is where regional football fans come to witness regular matches played by Bilbao’s local team, Athletic Club Bilbao. Due to the popularity of football in Bilbao, visitors are advised to obtain tickets to matches in advance. The stadium, Spain’s oldest, is in the Ensanche area of the city and was renovated in 1982 for the FIFA World Cup. 
Phone: +34 94 424 0877

Golf
Golf is a popular pastime among visitors and locals alike in Bilbao with four courses situated within 20 kilometres of the city centre. Two of the most popular 18-hole courses are Laukariz Golf Club (phone: +34 94 674 0858) and Neguri Golf Club (phone: +34 94 469 02 00) while further choices are available in nearby San Sebastian, 15 kilometres away.

Ria de Bilbao Maritime Museum
A major seaport, Bilbao houses an excellent maritime museum tracing its seafaring history. At the museum, visitors will find interesting nautical items and even a shipwreck as well as an outdoor exhibition of restored sailing ships. The museum is situated in the Euskalduna shipyard, a dockland area that has recently grown in popularity. 
Phone: +34 902 131 000; www.museomaritimobilbao.org 

Unlike some of Spain’s other Atlantic coast cities, Bilbao attracts visitors largely with its cultural activities rather than its beaches. From the opulent Arriaga Theatre to the Baroque Diputación Palace, the city is bursting with historic architecture. In addition, the city boasts northern Spain’s most notable modern museum, the Guggenheim, as well as an interesting selection of other worthwhile museums.

Arriaga Theatre (Teatro Arriaga)
Having been in operation since 1890, today’s Arriaga Theatre is just one of several that have been built on the same site over the years. The present-day construction, named after Bilbao composer Juan Crosótomo de Arriaga, was completed in 1919 and has been likened to the Paris Opera House, thanks to its ornate exterior. 
Phone: +34 94 435 5100; www.teatroarriaga.euskalnet.net/

Basilica of Begona (Basílica de Begoña)
Bilbao boasts a number of outstanding churches but if you only have time to visit one, the Basilica of Begona is a good choice for its views over the city. Constructed in the 16th century, the basilica features three naves and a tower. The original tower was destroyed in 1825 during the first Carlista War, with the new tower having been added between 1902 and 1907. 
Phone: +34 94 412 7257

Bilbao Museum of Fine Art (Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao)
A must-visit for art fans, Bilbao’s fine art museum houses an impressive collection of 6,000 artworks spanning paintings, engravings, prints and more from the 12th century to the present. If you purchase an Artean Package ticket, you can gain joint entry to this museum and the Guggenheim. 
Phone: +34 94 439 6060; www.museobilbao.com

Diputación Palace (Palacio de la Diputación)
The grand seat of the Diputación was moved from Plaza Nueva to its current location on Grand Vía in 1900. The Baroque palace, designed by Luis Aladrén, can be toured. On tours visitors can take in the opulent interior and its attention to detail as well as its pretty stained glass windows. 
Phone: +34 946 083 537

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Bilbao’s most modern cultural highlight is this fantastic modern art museum, easily recognisable by its striking Frank Gehry-designed titanium exterior. This iconic museum runs alongside the Nervion River and features both permanent and visiting exhibits spanning sculpture, paintings, installations and prints. The Maman, a giant spider made by Louise Bourgeois, greets guests out front. 
Phone: +34 94 435 90 00; www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/?idioma=en

Plaza Nueva
A great square to wander around morning or afternoon, Plaza Nueva took 20 years to build and was formerly home to the Diputacion de Vizcaya until the office was moved in 1900. Today the former seat of the Diputacion is occupied by the Academy of the Basque Language. Perhaps the biggest attraction of the square, however, is not its architecture but its Sunday market where second-hand books and other collectibles can be picked up.

Eating out is taken seriously in Spain, and visitors to Bilbao will not be disappointed with the selection of regional Basque cuisine on offer. No visit to the city would be complete without sampling pintxos, the Basque version of tapas. The best time to indulge in these bite-size snacks is at night, when Bilbao’s bars and restaurants get going. Try the pintxos bars along Calle Zugastinobia for authentic recipes or the bars along Siete Calles for late-night drinking.

For something more substantial, Plaza Nuevo has a range of eateries to suit all tastes while there is also a selection of restaurants around the Diputacion. It can be pricey to eat in Bilbao, making taking advantage of the menu of the day (menu del dia) a wise choice for those on a budget. Wherever you eat, expect Basque cuisine, including fresh seafood, to feature heavily.

When shopping in Bilbao, forget modern glitzy malls and head for the Mercado de la Ribera, one of Europe’s largest indoor markets. The best time to witness this example of Bilbao daily life is in the morning, when locals come here to stock up on fresh meat, fish and cheese. Plaza Nueva is another intriguing site to pick up local goods of the second-hand variety, with the Sunday market here seeing coins, stamps and other collectibles on sale.

For affordable high street fashions, head for Gran Vía between Plaza Abando and Plaza Moyua. Here you will find dozens of clothes shops as well as El Corte Ingles, Spain’s favourite department store. For souvenirs such as Basque handicrafts, including linen, flags and dolls, you can try the boutiques found in Casco Viejo, the city’s old town.