Short Trip: Bilbao
Facades as colorful as jelly beans and buildings like something out of a science fiction film: Bilbao is for visualists, for people who celebrate beauty, be it old or new. Dense greenery on one side, the vastness of the Atlantic on the other. The small town of Bilbao is located in the north of Spain – far away from the tourist magnet Barcelona, behind which Bilbao has always stood in line. When the obvious becomes boring, you become more interested in a place like this, which provides you with impressions that you haven’t gained anywhere else. Sandra Mateo moved to Bilbao from a small town five years ago and knows where to go and what to see.
Living
The walls of the Iturrienea Ostatua hostel whisper stories. The building in the old town has 100 years under its belt and, thanks to the loving restoration of the hostel guides, hopefully also has 100 years ahead of it. If you’re traveling with friends, the Quartier Hostel is the right place for you, as there are numerous large rooms for people who can’t part with their loved ones at night.
Iturrienea Ostatua, Santa Maria 14, 48005 Bilbao, www.iturrieneaostatua.com
Quartier Hostel, Artekale, 15, 48005 Bilbao, www.quartierbilbao.com
Food
No meat, no fish, no eggs and nothing at all from animals is served at La camelia. The small vegan bar serves Japanese food and even sushi that will make you forget all about your favorite sashimi. Txukrut offers a new menu every day for just under nine euros: freshly cooked from organic ingredients. Bascook celebrates Basque cuisine, but focuses on new interpretations, local ingredients and organic production.
La camelia, Villarías Kalea 3, 48001 Bilbo, www.facebook.com/lacamelia.bilbao
Txukrut, San Francisco 25, 48003 Bilbao, www.txukrut-vegan-bar.negocio.site
Bascook, Barroeta Aldamar 8, 48001 Bilbo, www.bascook.com
Shopping
Ah! is located in Bilbao’s old town in the street Carniceria Vieja and houses the collections of young designers, beautiful books, jewelry and traditionally made soap. The Labeko bakery smells so good every day that you simply have to come in. Everything that goes into the oven is made completely oldschool. Harmony rock is Bilbao’s best address when it comes to music. The focus here is on all sorts of stuff from the 60s and 70s and is guaranteed to have every record you can think of .
Ah!, Carnicería Vieja 18, 48005 Bilbao, www.facebook.com/ahbilbao
Labeko, Carnicería Vieja 4, 48005 Bilbao, www.labekookindegia.wordpress.com
Harmony rock, General Concha 19, 48010 Bilbao, www.harmony-rock.com
Party
The Pub Shake! is not only a place for drinking, but also for rocking, dancing and swaying. If you like rock, spends your nights here. Bilbao’s largest concert hall is called Kafe Antzokia. Nobody kicks you out before 6 a.m. at the weekend. The classics have recently been joined by Moma, a large nightclub specializing in pop and electronic music.
Shake!, Ibáñez de Bilbao 2, 48001 Bilbao, www.facebook.com
Kafe Antzokia, Done Bikendi Kalea, 2, 48001 Bilbao, www.kafeantzokia.eus
Moma, Rodríguez Arias Kalea, 66, 48013 Bilbao, www.salamoma.com
Quarters
Bilbao’s old town is the heart of the city. Small stores, lots of bars, sights by the meter. The river is a good starting point for a stroll through the city. When the sun is shining, the young people of Bilbao sit on the dock with beer and good humor to collect vitamin D. The area around Marzana Dock, Aretzaga and the streets of San Francisco has numerous restaurants and bars – the ideal place to spend your weekends.
Must do
If you want to discover Bilbao, it’s a good idea to view the city from Artxanda Mountain. The cable car takes you there, and there’s even a cold beer at the summit. On Sundays, the flower market in the Arenal district is a nice destination, after which you can treat yourself to a few pintxos and marianitos in the old town. Somera Street is the best place for goodies, and Beltza Taberna is one of the coolest addresses here. Bilbao is at its best on Sunday anyway: A flea market is held around the Zottozaurre area.
Beltza Taberna, Barrenkale, 13, 48005 Bilbo, Bizkaia, www.facebook.com
Events
MAZ Basauri Festival 26.4. until 4.5. Everything to do with music, whether on stage or on the big screen: if you want to dance, sway and celebrate, this is the place to be.
Sandra Mateo
is a vegan baker at Bohemian Lane.
loves chocolate and rock music.
hates shiitake mushrooms and cruelty to animals.