Tourist information - Bilbao
Bilbao is the heart of a Metropolis having a population of more than a million people. It is the driving force of social and economic development, along with it constitutes the principal factor around the modernisation of the Gulf of Biscay.
The ambitious architectural, and general infrastructure projects have fuelled the urban and financial regeneration of the city. The Guggenheim Museum; the Euskalduna Music Hall as well as Convention Centre; the underground, constructed by Norman Foster; the airport, created by Calatrava; the new tram; the projects by architects such as Arata Isozaki and Cesar Pelli... are examples of the overwhelming vitality that permeates Bilbao.
Situated at the Territory of Biscay, the city is encompassed by fertile landscapes, with forests, mountains, beaches, as well as steep coasts, that make Bilbao a privileged destination for any traveller. The modern network of transport and also roads brings the nearby Basque capitals like Vitoria and also San Sebastian much closer.
Bilbao's cultural calendar is hard to resist, having two of the best art galleries in Spain, six theme museums, innumerable contemporary art exhibitions, as well as a continuous series of shows as well as performances, just like opera, symphony orchestras, theatre, dance, cinema, easy listening, pop, as well as rock 'n roll.
The Bilbao Guggenheim Museum has become the cultural and also touristic driving force of the Basque Country. This magnificent building, created by Frank O. Gehry in 1997, is totally covered with titanium sheets. It houses its own private collection, furthermore to sharing with New York as well as Venice the world's most numerous along with outstanding private collection of modern along with contemporary art. The Fine Arts Museum is also among the best of its kind in Spain, with a great gallery that houses three collections: art through the centuries (El Greco, Zurbarán, Goya, and Van Dyck), contemporary art (Gauguin, Bacon, as well as T? pies), and also Basque art (Regoyos, Zuloaga, and also Iturrino).
In addition, the Basque Museum exhibits Basque prehistory and archaeology. The Diocesan Museum of Religious Art and the Museo de Pasos de Semana Santa (Museum of Religious Floats and Sculptures from the celebration of Holy Week) display works related to the religious tradition of Biscay. Bilbao's museum collection also includes the Museo Marítimo (Maritime Museum), opening soon, as well as the Bullfighting Museum. Sala Rekalde organises first class contemporary art exhibitions, and also moreover, some twenty other galleries have permanent exhibitions in the different fields of the visual arts.
In the field of the performing arts, the veteran, prestigious Opera Season on the Palacio Euskalduna (a facility with capacity for about 2000 people), stages magnificent shows that are the best international lyrical performers. The Bilbao along with Euskadi Symphony Orchestras and the Municipal Band secure a long year of quality concerts for those who love classical music; likewise, the Arriaga Theatre incorporates a varied programme that features theatre, dance and music. The offer does not end there; a number of more theatres along with 75 cinemas are also available.
Bilbao's 700 years of history are present in buildings as well as constructions that will pleasantly surprise the visitor. The historical quarter is listed being a Conservation Area, along with it constitutes the best point of reference in order to understand the city's history. It is an example of urban regeneration, with more than 400 shops of every kind. The city centre is a showcase of the very best of 20th century architecture, with establishments that have housed the most leading firms along with institutions of Bilbao for more than a century. This exceptional collection of establishments has been amassed by the best local architects of each period.
But Bilbao is not finished being built: moreover to the genius of the local architects, one of the most prestigious foreign firms have contributed finished projects to the grandeur of the city, plus some still in progress, by architects of the stature of Foster, Gehry, Calatrava, Isozaki, Pelli, etc.
The industrial city of Bilbao radiates stateliness. Eating very well is easy, being actually almost impossible not to. The various menus are always dictated by an exceptional taste and by the great quality of the ingredients. The cod capital of the world, because of the numerous, delicious recipes that it prepares. You should, before sitting down to dinner, try the "chiquiteo", the custom of drinking wine and eating small appetisers around the many bars as well as taverns of the old quarter.
Big as well as small shops have the best selection of national and also international fashion. The visitor may also be tempted by the many cool shops for interior design, furniture, gifts, and delicatessen.
Adolfo Domínguez, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Gucci... the streets of Bilbao are decked with the best and also most trendy designer brands, which have turned the city into a permanent, glamourous catwalk. Hence, the Biscayan capital joins other European cities in regards to haute couture, as well as this, combined with the exceptional taste for clothes that the people from Bilbao have always had, make the city one of the most enjoyable in the whole country in matters of fashion.
Bilbao has 10,000 firms within the commerce industry, which makes up more than 30% of the city's economy. Its commercial tradition in unquestionable and also further corroborated by the interesting along with varied array of shops and boutiques that can be found particularly around the two main commercial areas of the city: the historical quarter and also the Ensanche (new suburbs). Most shops open from 10:00 around the morning to 14:00, .as well as from 16:00 till 20:00 h, Monday through Saturday.
The visitor shall not forget the exquisite Biscayan crafts, which reflect the city's cultural identity. The artisan workshops of Biscay make both decorative and practical pieces, including ceramics, glass work, leather work, Basque pelota articles, enamels, wood along with iron work, damascene, forging, etc.; along with excellent food products, like cheeses, sausages, sweets, wines, cider, as well as txakolí.
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