The Basque city of Bilbao has been drawing visitors with its centuries-old churches, plazas, theatres and parks for decades, but the recent addition of the world-famous Guggenheim Museum Bilbao has given the city even greater appeal. Located on Spain’s Atlantic coast, not far from the border with France, Bilbao is also a major seaport.

While thousands of visitors come each year for the city’s outstanding museums, the city’s old town is full of charm and also a major highlight. Known locally as Casco Viejo, the medieval old town is packed with historic plazas, quaint cafés and tiny shops hidden away among winding cobblestoned streets. At night, the same narrow alleyways and plazas come to life with a vibrant bar scene.

The city’s churches are must-sees, but its museums see greater numbers with the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and its striking titanium exterior stealing the limelight. The more child-friendly Ria de Bilbao Maritime Museum is a better choice if you have kids in tow while the acclaimed Arriaga Theatre hosts performances year-round. Another Spanish event not to miss is bullfighting, with Bilbao being the best place to watch one of these gory feats of bravery in northern Spain.

The climate in Bilbao is cooler than elsewhere in Spain, meaning most visitors come for the cultural attractions rather than to sunbathe on nearby Atlantic beaches. However, summer days are typically warm and sunny, meaning nearby coastal resorts and water sports get going at this time of year.

Accommodation in Bilbao is plentiful and there are hotels in the city to suit most budgets. Most guests choose to stay in the Casco Viejo, but online advance booking is necessary for most of the hotels here. There are also an increasing number of ultra modern luxury hotels near to the Guggenheim to cater to its visitors.

Getting to Bilbao from other cities in Europe is easy as the city has its own airport, but international connections with cities outside of Europe are not available. Those coming from other regions will need to first fly into one of Spain’s busier airports and then catch a connecting flight or bus. UK travellers can arrive by car ferry from Portsmouth, however.

Although Bilbao experiences warm summers with temperatures of up to 35°C, it is one of Spain’s cooler cities. However, despite winter lows and occasional chilly Atlantic breezes, the city experiences a temperate climate year round, meaning you can visit at any time. The peak season is in summer, June to August, when sunny days are perfect for the beach.

If you prefer fewer crowds, try visiting in spring and autumn, when temperatures hover around 15°C. There is a threat of rain in the shoulder seasons, but Bilbao has plenty of indoor attractions. Winter sees lows of 5°C with the coldest weather arriving in December and January. If you can stand the cool weather, the cheapest accommodation deals can be had at this time, excluding the Christmas period.