BILBAO – from industrial hub to city of culture and services
Astonishing architecture, a venerable dining scene and stunning landscapes just outside the city centre: Bilbao is one of the great treasures of the Basque Country.
Cities change; they transform themselves, evolve. Bilbao is a fine example of this, the essence of urban evolution.
The transformation of Bilbao started in the 1970s as a result of the economical crisis that left the industry terribly damaged. To impulse economy, a rehabilitation plan was created with the objective to turn Bilbao into a city of services.
The transformation culminated in 1997 with the arrival of the Guggenheim—the famous art museum that not only transformed Bilbao, but the whole world.
The result of the rehabilitation plan is evident: Bilbao turned from being a grey city living of industrial activity into a cosmopolitan city where design is the order of the day.
The city’s heart still remains in the medieval cobblestone streets of the Old Town, known as Las Siete Calles (The Seven Streets) where you not only find some of the most popular pintxos bars, but also La Ribera Market, Europe’s largest indoor market and the 14th-century Santiago Cathedral.
What everyone knows is that the Basque Country is synonymous with the best and finest cuisine found anywhere in the world. But what not everyone thinks of when visiting this area are its endless beaches and great surf waves. You can even access some of the most beautiful beaches by metro.
Welcome to The Basque Country! Welcome to Bilbao!
