Arriving at Bilbao Airport Bilbao Airport, Bilbao, I caught the A3247 bus directly to the city center. It took about 20 minutes to reach my base at Hotel Bilbao Plaza Hotel Bilbao Plaza, Bilbao. The transit system is straightforward and inexpensive, which was a relief after a long day of travel.
My first stop was the Casco Viejo Casco Viejo, Bilbao, the oldest part of the city. I spent my initial days wandering the Siete Calles, the seven original streets that form the heart of the district. The architecture is neoclassical, and the area is dense enough that you can see most of it on foot in a few hours.
Plaza Nueva Plaza Nueva, Bilbao became my daily anchor. It is a large, square plaza surrounded by arcades, and it stays busy from morning until late at night. I found that stopping here for a drink provided a good view of the local routine without needing a plan.
The food scene revolves around small bites. I spent a lot of time rotating between Gure Toki Gure Toki, Bilbao, Restaurante Victor Montes Restaurante Victor Montes, Bilbao, and Irrintzi Irrintzi, Bilbao. The pintxos are displayed on the bars, and the process is casual—you just order what looks good and pay when you are finished.
“The pintxo culture makes it easy to eat well while traveling alone.”
Between meals, I walked to the Santiago Cathedral Santiago Cathedral, Bilbao. It is tucked into the narrow streets of the old town, and the interior is quiet compared to the noise of the plazas. I spent the rest of my time browsing the local shops along the Siete Calles, which mostly sell clothing and kitchen supplies.
Staying in one city for over three weeks allowed for a slow pace. I didn't feel the pressure to see every site, so I mostly focused on returning to the same spots in Casco Viejo to see how the atmosphere changed throughout the day. It was a simple way to get a feel for the city.