Sheltered between fine beaches and rolling hills, Bilbao has reinvented itself in recent years as a world-class weekend-break destination. The Guggenheim Museum is the big draw and it’s astonishing, a swirl of glittering titanium rising above the River Nervión.
Once a major port, in recent years, the city has attracted the great and good of architectural talent. Frank Gehry designed the museum, Philippe Starck converted the Alhóndiga warehouse into a buzzy cultural centre with a rooftop pool and Norman Foster is responsible for the Metro stations, which look like giant shrimps. A walk through town is a journey from medieval alleys to sleek Modernism.
If you fancy escaping the urban spaces, the seaside suburbs of Sopelana, Plentzia and Getxo are just a Metro ride away. The latter is the grandest: an old fishing village with good beaches and an elegant promenade. Jonathan Lorie
Getting there
The author travelled courtesy of Vueling (www.vueling.com), which offers daily flights from London Gatwick from €70 return
Dish of the day
Basque food is arguably some of the best in Spain. For traditional fare, try Restaurante Asador Guetaria, where the locals go to celebrate - its elegant back room harks back to colonial days. For cutting-edge New Basque cuisine, book a table at Nerua, the Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Guggenheim. Here, local chef Josean Alija’s exquisite menu deconstructs the cookbook, from pil-pil cod to sheep’s-milk ice cream. For a more relaxed meal, wander the bars in the pretty Plaza Nueva sampling local speciality pintxos - thin slices of baguette topped with an array of ingredients, often fresh fish - washed down with a glass of dry white Txakoli.
The old and the new
Sculpture and modern buildings sit along the redesigned riverside promenade, once home to the old docks. Start at the Maritime Museum and make your way past the Guggenheim and the soaring Zubizuri Bridge, finishing in the atmospheric old town or Casco Viejo. The Gothic streets are home to lively bars and historic sites, including the refurbished food market, La Ribera, a church on the Camino de Santiago and the excellent Basque Museum.
Sleeping pretty
The best hotel in town is the suitably Modernist five-star Gran Hotel Domine (www.hoteldominebilbao.com; 00 34 9 44 25 33 00). Plump for one of the spacious suites overlooking the neighbouring Guggenheim and enjoy breakfast on the rooftop terrace, with panoramic views across this vibrant city.
Country Life Top 10: Heavenly honeymoon destinations
We select the most romantic getaways around the world.
Monastero Santa Rosa, Amalfi: A monastery that's become a beautiful hotel
Hetty Chidwick visited Monastero Santa Rosa on Italy's magical Amalfi coast, and didn't want to leave.
Africa's greatest watering holes: Top 10 tubs with a view
What could be better than sinking into the ultimate bath after a day of wine tasting, walking or wildlife spotting?
-
Gaze over Cap Ferrat in this four-bedroom French villaIgnore the wind and the rain. Imagine yourself in this hillside home with some of the best views the Mediterranean can offer.
-
The Airlander wants to save our skiesA new hybrid aircraft promises eco-friendly aviation. Designed and built in the UK, can it be the future of air travel?
-
The Country Life guide to Somerset: What to do, where to stay and how to eatSomerset is rich in natural beauty and history, but it is its wealth of small-scale food and drink producers, farmers and makers that really set it apart from the competition. Find out how to make the most of it all with our indispensable guide.
-
On your marks, get set, go: The booming business of sports tourismRising numbers of travellers want to participate in or watch some form of sweat-inducing activity. From VIP Formula 1 tickets to golf underneath the Northern Lights, here's how to join them.
-
Direct to the DolomitesThe upcoming Italian Winter Olympic Games means that the Dolomite Mountains are firmly in the spotlight. And from new hotels to self-drive itineraries there's plenty to do and see.
-
Where to go in 2025A new year always brings a bumper crop of hotels to look forward to and the rest of 2025 is no exception. Here are the five we are looking forward to most.
-
From Bond to billions: How Andermatt is becoming one of the most talked about ski resorts in the AlpsOriginally a sleepy town used by the Swiss army, the resort of Andermatt is growing into a must-visit for the discerning skier.
-
'The country’s coasts are long-hailed as some of the most desirable destinations on the planet': Where was the third season of 'The White Lotus' filmed?Pack your bags because The White Lotus is back.
-
Riviera dreaming: Why this glamorous Tuscan seaside town isn't content to fly under the radar anymoreOnce frequented by David Bowie, Monte Argentario, on Italy's Tuscan coastline, is back in the spotlight a half century on and betting on a new wave of popularity.
-
Dawn Chorus: Audrey Hepburn’s Swiss villa hits the market for £17 million and research reveals that looking at art can, quite literally, help you live longerEverything you need to know today: The Swiss home that Audrey Hepburn lived in for 30 years prior to her death is for sale, those who regularly engage with art have a 31% lower risk of dying early and an iconic Palm Beach hotel teams up with interior designer Ashley Hicks.
