Bilbao, Spain - We Will Return, Bilbao, Spain

Bilbao! You surprised us! You are just not a Cruise or Ferry Port to only spend one day in prior to cruising.

Up until 1992 Bilbao was a polluted industrial city in decline and today it has been heralded as one of Europe’s best-known success stories - a vibrant colourful city that you want to spend time in discovering its charms.

Although we were there for 2 full days before embarking on a Repositioning Cruise to Panama we missed out on seeing a lot of Bilbao due to very wet weather.

A Basque tradition that should not be missed. Pintxos is different to the tapas that you can enjoy throughout the rest of Spain. Pintxos are different layers of food held together with a tooth pick which you are charged by the number of tooth picks left on your plate. Throughout Bilbao, there are many bars offering Pintxos as a little something to eat between glasses of wine or beer.

Since 1300 Casco Viejo has been the commercial hub of the city. Nowadays there are over 400 shops, 200 hotels and the gastronomic La Ribera Municipal Market.

The Siete Calles (7 streets) which make up Casco Viejo; Somera, Artekale, Tenderia, Belostikale, Carniceria Vieja, Barrenkale and Barrenkale Barrena are a maze of squares and alleyways with 3 different styles of architecture - Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau which all make up the heart of the Old City. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).