Bilbao (city) - an open thread

[justpix]

Hi, last weekend I was in Bilbao. Liked it very much there.

I would like to show pictures of this trip here, but to make it less of an "ego-trip", this should be an open thread.

So, we get more variety ... ---


Partial overview:





Looks nice on ground level, too ... :

 

[lugworm]

Sorry.....I thought this was about the hobbits !

Like the lower shot, mind.

 

[justpix]

1.)Sorry.....I thought this was about the hobbits !

2.)Like the lower shot, mind.

Hi,

1.- I made the thread title more explicit - to avoid disappointing Hobbit fans ...

2.-

 

[justpix]

So, here we go ... ---

Boarding:





Taxiing:





After take-off:

 

[justpix]

Hi, the rest of the trip:

A quiet flight:





Northern Spain, near Bilbao:





Bilbao airport:

 

[justpix]

Buen dia! At The Carlton (4th from left):






A room with a view (Plaza do Federico Moyua):

 

[justpix]

Buen dia! A walk along the Ria de Bilbao (upstream). On the first day, it was overcast. - Poor planning: I forgot the sunshine at home ... ---

 

[wibbly]

Very nice. We visited Bilbao a couple of years ago as my Wife has family there and really enjoyed it. It's a great city.

 

[justpix]

Very nice. We visited Bilbao a couple of years ago as my Wife has family there and really enjoyed it. It's a great city.

Could not agree more. - I enjoyed it very much there, as I will try to show...

 

[justpix]

Hi, walking on along the river, there is the oldest Bridge in Bilbao, the Puente de San Anton:




The last bridge I saw on this walk:




Tired, I went into a pub for a beer and a roll:

 

[justpix]

Buen dia! Art nouveau architecture.

The theatre:




A cafe (in the middle):




The market:

 

[justpix]

Buen dia! I found an oyster bar:





Last orders:





Back at The Carlton for the night:




(I never felt insecure in Bilbao, following my routine: Never on the road before 6.00 a.m., never out later than 11.00 p.m., and staying in the city.
Petty cash in the pocket, wallet in zipped jacket pocket, never to be taken out in the street. Camera in one hand, the other free.)

 

[justpix]

Buen dia! An early morning walk:

 

[justpix]

Hi, walking along the river downstream :

 

[justpix]

Buen dia! I continued my walk along the river:





Up to the point when I could see this bridge:






Back to The Carlton for breakfast, passing the Guggenheim:

 

[justpix]

Buen dia! There is art for every taste here:

 

[justpix]

Buen dia! Art from the Franco era:

 

[justpix]

Buen dia! Art can widen your perspective, or you can visit the Puente Vizcaya )) :





Use the elevator, and enjoy the view from the top downstream:





Upstream:

 

[justpix]

Hi, the Guggenheim has a gourmet restaurant I visited. I took the 14 course menue with wine:





Each course is a small plate, of course:





And the wine to go with each course is a small glass:





I was very satisfied with the restaurant. Including tip, I paid € 230, which was reasonable, regarding what was offered. The wines were exquisite!

Originally, I planned to go more often to restaurants, but with me, this takes 3 to 4 hours, 3 for eating, one hour siesta ... The weather was too good for this.

So, I had a full breakfast, snacks during the day, and 6 oysters in the evening.

The good thing about the Guggenheim restaurant: I can always say I have been to the Guggenheim, unless people start asking awkward questions about art ... ---

 

[justpix]

Buen dia! Streets in the old part:

 

[justpix]

Buen dia! Let's go for a walk up the stairs near the Plaza Nueva to enjoy the views!





Going up:





Looking down:

 

[justpix]

Walking on:





Passing the cemetery:





At the top, in the park:

 

[justpix]

The view from the hill:





The stairs down :




Well-deserved cerveja (grande) after the long walk!

 

[justpix]

Hi, using the FUNICULAR DE ARTXANDA :






At the top, iron reminders of Bilbao's industrial past:

 

[justpix]

Hi, a breathtaking view - and one does not get out of breath getting there using the funicular ... :

 

[justpix]

Hi, I think, I should come to an end with my Bilbao trip ... ---

The airport:









Waiting for the plane:

 

[justpix]

Hi, boarding :





Taxiing:





After take-off:




I enjoyed my stay in Bilbao very much. Of course, the things you do and see depend very much on the weather. All days dry, and even sunny, I went for long walks
along the river, and through the town enjoying the landscape and the architecture. Had it been rainy, I would have visited museums and restaurants more ... ---

Everything having been perfect, will I go there again? I am not sure, because the next visit cannot be better for me ... ---

This is an open thread. So, I hope, others will go to Bilbao, too, and show their pics here. Then we will get a more complete picture.

Good luck!