2023 Spain Trip – Sabbatical II – Bilbao

Strolling Bilbao

I love exploring cities by foot. That’s why long walks are always on my agenda. A stroll through Bilbao is like flipping through an old family album, revealing the rich history of this city. You can clearly see the current technological trends of the past decades, even spanning over a hundred years. An example of this is the Vizcaya Bridge, technically a ‘transporter bridge’, linking the suburbs of Portugalete and Las Arenas. The other end is, of course, the Guggenheim Museum and the area around it.

Another aspect I greatly enjoyed were the ubiquitous Pintxos bars. They’re the perfect places to observe the locals. I had the impression that these places are an extension of their living and dining rooms. In Spain, whether in the Basque Country, Madrid, or Galicia, there is a strong emphasis on gathering in the neighborhood and enjoying public life. The infrastructure is designed for it, ranging from shady, well-maintained squares to the bars.

I really like this city.