My friend Ron and I have an ongoing list of all the places we want to visit. Bilbao, in the Basque region of northern Spain, had been on the list for quite some time, and last year we finally decided to take the plunge! We loved every minute of our experience and are excited to share all the details. The Basque Country is notably unique; locals speak a language called Euskara, which is linguistically unlike any other language in the world, and the area hosts a warm, convivial culture that celebrates food, drink, and friendship. Read on for all our recommendations to have an extraordinary visit to the Basque Country, perfect for any food and wine lover!
Where to Stay
Hotel Miro Bilbao: This ultra-modern hotel has a great location from which you can walk to the Guggenheim, and it’s close to Old Town Bilbao and the shopping district. There are plenty of metro stations and bus stops nearby, too. The rooms are well-kept and comfortable, and there are two breakfast options: one’s a mini breakfast for 10 euros, with coffee, bread, and juice; and for the food and wine lover, a more expensive option for heartier fare, such as eggs made to order, fruit, cheese, pastries, and mimosas.
Hotel NH Collection Villa de Bilbao: You can’t beat the location of the NH Collection Villa de Bilbao. It’s situated right in the center of things, next to the San Mamés Football Stadium and the Euskalduna Palace. The hotel is also just a short walk from must-see attractions like the Guggenheim Museum and the Fine Arts Museum. Aside from the walkable sights, there’s also a metro stop less than five minutes from the hotel that takes you to the Casco Viejo (the old town) in less than 15 minutes. Also, make sure to check out their restaurant, Le Bol Blanc, which offers a fantastic multicourse tasting menu for less than 35 Euros.
What to do
If you’re going to spend three days in Bilbao, you must visit the Guggenheim! Few museums in the world are as spectacular as this famous contemporary marvel in Spain. Designed by Frank Gehry, the building is home to world-class modern art, with highlights including The Matter of Time by Richard Serra and Tulips and Puppy from Jeff Coons, and so much more. The museum is as impressive on the outside as on the inside. If you’re an art and architecture lover, consider a private tour.
Partake in a walking tour! There is so much to see in Bilbao – the Old Square, Casco Viejo, which is the historical city center the Cathedral of Santiago, and the pier. A walking tour will provide you with the history you need to fully appreciate the city.
Go wine-tasting! If you have three days in Bilbao, you have to make time for a wine tour. Bilbao is adjacent to the Rioja wine region, and a day trip to a few of the many wineries is highly recommended. We used Azul Tours to book a trip to two vineyards, which also included a stop in LaGuardia, a charming village in Rioja, where we had lunch and sampled more wine.
Where to Eat and Drink
The Basque Country is a food and wine lover’s paradise for a number of reasons. First, the region is known for having a fresh, farm-to-table approach to food. Second, it is renowned for pintxos, which are small one-bite treats that people enjoy in bars alongside a glass of wine, allowing people to eat and drink for hours while spending time with friends. And finally, the Basque Country is famous for its beverages, specifically Basque cider, a light white wine called Txakoli, and Tempranillo, the wine which refers to the grape primarily used in red wines from Rioja, located just outside of the Basque region. Here are some spots where food and wine lovers can sample the famous Basque food and drinks!
La Ribera Market: As one of the largest covered food markets in the world, this is a food and wine lover’s dream location. The venue has a market and on the upper level, rows and rows of pintxos stalls. You won’t know where to start, but don’t overthink it – just dive in! Be sure to try patatas bravas, croquetas, the fresh bread topped with local cheese, and alllll the desserts. Be sure to also appreciate the market’s beautiful location on the banks of the Nervión river, adjacent to the famous seven streets of the old town.
Arenals: We loved all the veggie dishes at this cute bar including roasted carrots topped with almonds and a creamy local cheese, ricotta ravioli topped with a garlicky tomato sauce, and cauliflower with shards of parmesan cheese. They are known for their natural wines, so be sure to sample one!
Boroa: Although you will have to take a taxi to get to this rustic farmhouse, any food and wine lover will find it worth it. Complete with spacious terraces and a winery, surrounded by old oak trees, it is a stunning place to visit and dine at. The menu changes regularly, but memorable dishes from our visit include mushroom and truffle fritters, house-made brioche bread with basil butter, and pistachio cheesecake.
Petritgi Cider House: Your experience in Bilbao is not complete without a visit to a cider house. This one is outside of the city, but you can access it by train. Reserve a table through their website, and you will be treated to a multicourse meal which includes bread, salad, an omelet, lots of cheese, and all-you-can-drink cider! You can also sign up for a highly recommended tour of the cider house, where you can drink directly from the barrels.
Book a Pintxos Tour
If you’re going to spend three days in Bilbao, we suggest you start with a Pintxos tour. Typically, you order at the counter and then enjoy your pinxto and drink standing up at the bar. There are many different kinds of pintxos, but some of our favorites include crusty bread topped with a piece of Manchego and quince jam, tomato and mozzarella skewers, slices of Spanish tortilla, which is a baked egg and potato dish, and stuffed piquillo peppers. We actually elected to do our own self-guided tour, which was just as fun! Here are some of the spots we visited:
• Bar Zabaleta (known for its tortillas)
• Bar Paco Bueno
• Bar Txepetxa
• Bar Néstor
• Irrintzi
• Gure Toki
Self-guided is always fun, but if you want a more in-depth experience, hire a tour guide. Jessica had a tour with Aitor Delgado of Aitor Delgado Tours, who took her on a walking tour of Bilbao, where she indulged in pintxos and wine. A native of the Basque Country, Aitor knows everybody in Bilbao, so it was great to get that local context.
Three Days in Bilbao: The Verdict
The Basque Country is a dream for any food and wine lover. Three days in Bilbao is the perfect way to start your Basque Country trip!
