Bilbao
Shimmering titanium Museo Guggenheim Bilbao is one of modern architecture's most iconic buildings. It played a major role in helping to lift Bilbao out of鈥
Must-see attractions in Basque Country
Bilbao
On the waterfront, this interactive maritime museum brings the watery depths of Bilbao and Basque maritime history to life. Start with a 10-minute video鈥
Bilbao
The Museo de Bellas Artes houses a compelling collection that includes everything from Gothic sculptures to 20th-century pop art. There are three main鈥
Getaria
Although Getaria is mainly about sun, sand and seafood, don't miss a visit to the Crist贸bal Balenciaga Museoa. Local boy Crist贸bal became a giant in the鈥
Basque Country
Art lovers shouldn't miss Vitoria鈥檚 palace of modern art. The large subterranean galleries are filled with engrossing pieces by artists from the Basque鈥
San Sebasti谩n
Fulfilling almost every idea of how a perfect city beach should be formed, Playa de la Concha (and its westerly extension, Playa de Ondarreta) is easily鈥
Bilbao
The compact Casco Viejo, Bilbao鈥檚 atmospheric old quarter, is full of charming streets, boisterous bars and plenty of quirky and independent shops. At the鈥
San Sebasti谩n
The views from the summit of Monte Igueldo (181m), just west of town, will make you feel like a circling hawk staring down over the vast panorama of the鈥
Bilbao
Take a neglected wine storage warehouse, convert it into a leisure and cultural centre, add a shot of Bilbao style and the result is the Azkuna Zentroa 鈥
San Sebasti谩n
A wonderful example of belle 茅poque architecture, the Hotel Maria Cristina was designed by Charles Mewes, the architect responsible for the Ritz hotels in鈥
Basque Country
Bibat incorporates the Museo de Arqueolog铆a, whose 1500-piece archaeological collection covers the province of 脕lava, from prehistory to the Bronze Age 鈥
Bilbao
A must for all AC Bilbao fans, this high-tech museum delves into the club's legendary past, with gear and trophies dating back to 1905. Interactive鈥
San Sebasti谩n
Playa de Ondarreta, the western extension of the renowned Playa de la Concha, has a less glam, more genteel atmosphere. It's long been popular with the鈥
Bilbao
The morphing ground between the Casco Viejo and the newer parts of Bilbao, the Plaza del Arenal is a large open space that frequently plays host to鈥
Bilbao
Bilbao is a city hemmed in by hills and mountains, resting in a tight valley. For a breathtaking view over the city and the wild Basque mountains beyond,鈥
Getaria
This cobblestone village on the coast has much to recommend it, including excellent seafood restaurants, narrow atmospheric lanes sprinkled with shops and鈥
Bilbao
One of Spain's best museums devoted to Basque culture takes visitors on a journey from Palaeolithic days to the 21st century, giving an overview of life鈥
Bilbao
This two-storey museum takes you deep into the past, beginning with 430,000-year-old fossils found in the Sierra de Atapuerca. On the 2nd floor, along the鈥
Basque Country
At the summit of the old town and dominating its skyline is the Catedral de Santa Mar铆a. Built between the 13th and 14th centuries in the Gothic style,鈥
Basque Country
Situated 10km south of O帽ati, the Santuario de Arantzazu is a busy Christian pilgrimage site that's a fabulous conflation of piety and avant-garde art鈥
Basque Country
On a peaceful, tree-lined boulevard, this low-lit armaments museum showcases weapons used over the centuries, from Bronze Age spearheads to 19th-century鈥
San Sebasti谩n
Designed in 1877 by French landscape artist Pierre Ducasse, who also created the Jardines de Miramar, this little park is one of San Sebasti谩n's loveliest鈥
Basque Country
For over 7000 years, 'white gold' has been produced at this site, where over 4km of wooden aqueducts transport high-saline spring water from 200-million鈥
Bilbao
This 16th-century basilica towers over the Casco Viejo from atop a nearby hill. It's mainly Gothic in look, although Renaissance touches, such as the鈥
Basque Country
Vitoria鈥檚 cathedral might look old, but in fact it only dates from the early 1970s. There are some impressive, fairly adventurous stained-glass windows鈥
Bilbao
Forming the heart of Bilbao's Casco Viejo are seven streets known as the Siete Calles (Zazpi Kaleak in Basque). These dark, atmospheric lanes 鈥 Barrenkale鈥
San Sebasti谩n
Sun-drenched cultural space Tabakalera occupies a beautifully reconfigured tobacco factory dating from 1913. It's a hub for the arts and design, as well鈥
San Sebasti谩n
A symbol of the city, the Peine del Viento (Wind Comb) sculpture, which lies at the far western end of the Bah铆a de la Concha, below Monte Igueldo, is the鈥
Basque Country
Ringing the city is the Anillo Verde (Green Belt), a series of interconnecting parks, ponds and marshes linked to one another by 31km of cycling paths,鈥
Bilbao
Towering above all in the Casco Viejo (although strangely invisible in the narrow streets) is the Catedral de Santiago, which has a vaulted cloister and鈥
Hondarribia
Hondarribia's walled historic centre, much of which dates to the 15th and 16th centuries, is an atmospheric grid of graceful plazas, cobbled lanes, and鈥
Bilbao
Although Bilbao isn鈥檛 a bullfighting city in the manner of the towns of 础苍诲补濒耻肠铆补, the audiences here are considered by matadors to be among the most鈥
Basque Country
The portentous Santuario de Loyola is dedicated to St Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit order. Its domed basilica, laden with grey marble and carved鈥
Universidad de Sancti Spiritus
Basque Country
O帽ati鈥檚 most prominent building is the Renaissance treasure of the Universidad de Sancti Spiritus. Built in the 16th century, it was the first university鈥
Basque Country
Located 5.5km southwest of O帽ati, this cavern system has numerous slow-growing stalagmites and stalactites. Visits are by guided tour and take you through鈥
Bilbao
Bilbao's modern football stadium, home of local team Athletic Bilbao, overlooks the river to the west of the city centre. Opened in 2013, it has a鈥
Hondarribia
It's a hefty hike from Hondarribia 鈥 a 4km walk uphill 鈥 but the Ermita de Guadalupe is well worth the effort it takes to reach it (you can also drive)鈥
Bilbao
The most striking of the modern bridges that span the R铆a del Nervi贸n, the Zubizuri (Basque for 'White Bridge') has become an iconic feature of Bilbao's鈥
Hondarribia
Just across the river from Hondarribia lies the pretty French town of Hendaye, linked by a regular passenger ferry. Apart from nibbling on perfectly flaky鈥
San Sebasti谩n
Set in a grand neoclassical building dating from the 1890s, this cultural centre has a packed line-up of art exhibitions, book launches, discussions and鈥
