From Valencia to the beautiful and splendid city Bilbao

After visiting Valencia for a weekend, I had to attend a scientific conference where many scientific researchers meet in one single event, this conference was hold in the most amazing Spanish city ever, Bilbao. So from Valencia I had to take a bus with a duration of approximatively six hours and that passes by various wonderful cities and costs around 47 euros to reach this northern city that seems to hide many surprises, great landscapes and magical atmosphere. Bilbao and its inhabitants were waiting for visitors with open arms, in fact, the city offers many attractions that people can enjoy and visit and especially walk around in its streets, squares, admire its river as an unforgettable experience. Even though I arrived by night, the people of Bilbao were very friendly to help me find my way to the hostel and warmly welcome all poeple who come to visit them and invite them and accompany them in their visits, so that the foreigners do not feel apart from their country and can create very easily friends, and they feel with a real felling of being at home at the same as the inhabitants of Bilbao. Lively and full of charm, Bilbao is an ideal destination to go exploring for a weekend for example. The city offers so much great opportunities of leisure and people must not miss the most important sites of interest in the city.

Between the coasts overlooking the ocean and the green valleys of northern Spain thrives the vibrant Bilbao with its multi-faceted region and characteristics of the north of Spain and by the protected natural areas enriching the city’s nature, encircling the old town, with its previous century buildings and conserved architecture. Much less touristic than many parts of Spain, its small fishing ports of another time, its mountain villages, but also for the enthusiasm with which the inhabitants perpetuate the traditions, between songs, dances and other popular spanish games. The city is much more than it appears, it is a real tresor, although it takes some time to know all of its secrets. From the narrow streets of the old town that tells a lot of stories and legends that have made the small port born in the river a as reference in the whole world.

During the stay in this Spanish city, people will not be short of things to do in Bilbao. The old part of the city hosts many monuments of historical and cultural values. Firstly the city have many attractions that must be visited such as another emblematic place that is a must see attractions also is the famous Plaza del Arenal where people can chill and relax while discovering the most modern views. The parks and gardens of the city are other must-see places to visit in Bilbao. People must relax for a while away from the city in the multiple parks of the city but the famous one is the Doña Casilda Park where people enjoy themselves a lot to one of the best views of Bilbao that can be seen in another not so far Park. One, two or three days are never enough to know very well Bilbao, but the visitors can nevertheless get an idea of this city and its surroundings; it will also allow make them think that they must return to better know this corner of the heart of the world. This city offers many breathtaking views and very modern architecture, in a beautiful art-deco building overlooking the river. For those who want to discover local products and local life, this is a visit not to be missed. The market we went to is open usually from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00. It is advisable to visit early in the morning to enjoy the light filtering through the large glass art deco. If you are looking for other places of interest in Bilbao, you may like the area of La Ribera. The district has regained its former industrial infrastructure that preserves the essence of the city and its originality.

1. Guggenheim Museum

Our first objective during our trip is to visit the splendid Guggenheim Museum that offers much to see and to discover, beginning by it very original architecture that is famous worldwide, to its cultural aspects inside; when poeple are interested in art and architecture, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is a must-see attraction. its visit was therefore planned before a few years and it was a dream come true to see such a masterpiece in front of my eyes, and this building became the main and ultimate goal of a road trip in Spain for many people travelling with their backpack going just to adventure. The Guggenheim Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 20:00, except in summer when it is open every day. This museum is also the major attraction in Bilbao, impossible not to visit this monument of architecture and this high place of art. For lovers of contemporary art and modern art. In addition, despite its appearance that seems to come from elsewhere like a construction from aliens, the architecture of the Guggenheim Museum is closely related to the site in which it was firstly originated from, The building even operates as a kind link between the city and the river: on the south side, the building takes the architecture of the city with the right angles, the windows aligned, the natural part of the building... while on the North side, we can also see the reflexion of a river in the building.

The Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao has completely transformed Bilbao into a city of modernity of culture and art which attracted many people to discover this part of the world that was really not known before comparing to the biggest metropolitan cities as Madrid or Barcelona, placing the city on the top map of the world and radically changing its image and its reputation. Bilbao attract the most people and to put this edifice as the most original by many aspects. This place was the ground of the older poeple living inside the city, and became now one of the most modern and solicited by many people from all over the world. The design is based on the port that was before the source of living for the inhabitants and the city that remains as it is from the historical times. The walls are made from a substance that makes it possible to observe, at any time of the day, the tones that the light projects on the museum.

2. The Zubizuri Bridge

We had then as a second destination a masterpiece that is The Zubizuri Bridge also known as the Calatrava Bridge or the white bridge also by the architect that originally built it, we had the pleasure to cross it with much proud because the bridge is a real masterpiece in terms of architecture. it is linking two districts together and, despite the criticism it has always provoked as our Spanish friends told us about its construction, this edifice remains one of the symbols of city. The Zubizuri Bridge is one of those modern buildings that have contributed to the renewal of Bilbao. It is crossing the amazing river called the Nervion River and makes it easy to move from one side to another in the heart of the city. The structure of the bridge is astonishing. The white color only reinforces this sensation. This singular point is actually a huge metal structure giving more charm to the Nervion river. We had the curiosity to ask people about this weird name as we understood a bit of spanish but this word was complicated so they told us that Zubizuri means white bridge in their dialect, this funny bridge is a masterpiece and its originality originated from there. We then crossed the bridge which is Saint Anthony's Bridge to reach the other part of the city and discover the church of the same name. Both appear on Bilbao's magical buildings, which gives an idea of their symbolic significance for the city. Of the two monuments, The Catedral de Santiago worth also a visit while being in Bilbao with its gothic style and unique architecture it leaves people really impressed by its conserved state.

3. Arriaga Theater

Walking around the city allowed us also to discover many other cultural aspects such as the most beautiful building called the New Bilbao Theater, the Arriaga Theater is also located in the heart of the city and we were impressed by its architecture. Its interior is as well astonishing with its huge staircase and red carpet. On the steps of the stairs, The main hall contains three floors and it is possible to attend performances all year round. We also continued our cultural trip to discover another museum dedicated for art and culture even though it is more and more forgotten, the Museum of Arts of Bilbao that remains one of the biggest museums of Spain. We could therefore take our time to relax on the outside bar terrace which offers a great view of Doña Park and admire these masterpieces that tells the story of decades of cultural heritage.

4. Palacio de Congresos and the Musica Euskalduna

We also had a great walk near the other part of Bilbao city to discover that Bilbao is one of Spain's most industrial cities and that it combines both the modernity and the cultural aspects and by this way the city has reinvented itself as a holiday destination a few years ago and an important target for many tourists around the world. An important step in the modernity of the city was the construction of the Palace of Congress and Music, on a land that was once very modest and with farms and fishing activities as the main sources of living. Nowadays the city offers another style another atmosphere and a great tour is recommended for music lovers in this amazing Palace. Bilbao's tourist guide help people and invite them to discover this unique Spanish culture, We also had an amazing culinary journey in the multiple restaurants of the city to discover the specialties the city has to offer to us, it is of course difficult to mention Bilbao without thinking about its achievements and creation of good food: the various bars were everywhere inside the city streets, not to mention the places where they offer exceptional and different types of drinks and snacks. The city is home to some of the best restaurants in the country. pleasant and always ready to party and that by this way we had great and long conversations about the city cultural heritage with the local people that we had the chance to meet during our amazing trip.

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