Bilbao City Breaks

Bilbao, affectionately known as El Botxo, the hole, is the capital of the province of Biscay in the Basque Country. More than a million people live in this thriving city and there is a real cosmopolitan feel intermingled with the typically Spanish relaxed approach to life. There is one of the largest shopping areas in Europe to be enjoyed, a fantastic selection of restaurants with some gastronomic delights and wonderful evening entertainment ranging from theatres and concert halls to nightclubs and live music, not forgetting the regular opera season by ABAO (Bilboa Association of Opera Lovers) and of course the annual Semana Grande, the main festival that lasts for over a week and includes bullfighting and fireworks. Plus, don't miss out on Bilbao's cultural heritage, where the old historical attractions blending perfectly with the modern - visit the Cathedral, Guggenheim Musuem and Plaza Nueva.

The landscape surrounding Bilbao is stunning, with two small mountain ranges, forests, beaches and rivers all providing a wealth of outdoor leisure activities from cycling and hiking to golf and swimming. Visit the nature reserves and parks or perhaps take a metro ride to one of a number of beaches, especially those in Uribe-Kosta. There is over 150km of coastline to explore and the oceanic climate provided by the proximity to the Bay of Biscay ensures that the area can be enjoyed throughout the whole year.