Things to do in Bilbao

Bilbao is the capital of Bizkaia, a province in Euskadi. It is important for its industry, and has beyond 400,000 people. Around the city the population is increasing, nowadays counting more than 500,000 inhabitants. Bilbao is surrounded by mountains and industrial areas at the same time, which makes the city one of the most prosperous in Spain. It has also become the most charming city in Euskadi because of its richness both cultural and gastronomical. Crossed by Nervion river (also called Ria de Bilbao), Bilbao has the city of Guipuzcoa on its east, Cantabria on its west, and Alava towards the south.

From recent excavations found on peak of Mount Malmasn and burial settlements in Mountains Avril and Archanda, Bilbao was most probably inhabited more than 6,000 years ago. Some scholars associate Bilbao as the Amanum Portus named by Plinius or Flaviobriga named by Claudius Ptolomeus.

There are many places to visit here:

Plazuela San Nicols, s/n
This church, built in the XVIII century by Ignacio de Ibero y Erkizia is situated in the city's old quarter (casco viejo). Its baroque style consists in an octagonal plant and two bell towers. It bears Bilbao's stone coat of arms at the entrance.
How to get there: the best way is using the subway, line L1 in Bilbao until Casco Viejo Station.
Monday-Saturday:11.00am-1.00pm and 5.30pm-8.00pm.
Sundays: 11.00am-1.00pm
Free entry

Plaza Nueva/ Barra Emparantza
This neoclassical square was created by Antonio Echevarra in 1829 and was finished in 1849. Silvestre Prez and Goicoechea also contributed to its establishment. It is situated in the old quarter. Full of commerce, it had previously been a square called "Plaza de los Zurradorres" and its original name was Plaza de Fernando VII. It consists in 18 arches on two of its sides. Each Sunday an open market offers second hand items, as well as birds and other little animals. On its main facade resides the Royal Academy of Basque Language. It is easy to find the first arch that was built on this square, as there is a signal on it.
How to get there: Close to Iglesia de San Nicolas and Sede Euskaltzaindia, together with other cultural places to visit, the best way to get there is the subway, L1 in Bilbao until Casco Viejo Station.

BASILICA DE BEGONA
This religious Gothic monument is located in Begona quarter and is a sign of written communication for the city of Bilbao. The beauty it holds inside is as remarkable as it is on the outside. Any visitor should stop and admire its beauty, its grandeur with the peaceful feeling that this church offers. Inside there is the Virgin of Begoa, patroness of Bilbao, which holiday is celebrated every 15 of August. This church consists in three naves. Many pilgrims arrive there as the ending point after having walked a whole night to get there to attend the mass.
How to get there: If you take the underground, stop at Santuxu station. It is 400 meters ahead.
Monday to Saturday: 10.30am-1.30pm and 5.30pm-8.30pm
Sundays: Only open during the mass at 10am, 12.00pm, 1.00pm, 6.00pm and 8.00pm
You can Vist Bilbao along with a vacation in the west side of the Pyrenees mountains

Informazioni dell' Autore

Visit tour-pyrenees.com to find out more about traveling Bilbao and the Pyrenees Region

by: zakkre Total views: 14 Word Count: 526 Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2010

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