Lonely Planet Pocket Bilbao & San Sebastian , livre ebook

Contents

Plan Your Trip

Welcome to Bilbao & San Sebastián
Top Sights
Eating
Drinking & Nightlife
Shopping
Museums & Public Art
Architecture
For Free
For Kids
Tours
Four Perfect Days
Need to Know
Bilbao & San Sebastián Neighbourhoods

Explore Bilbao

Bilbao Old Town
Bilbao New Town
Getxo & Portugalete
Central Basque Coast

Explore San Sebastián

San Sebastián Parte Vieja
San Sebastián New Town & Monte Igueldo
San Sebastián Gros
Walking Tour: Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Hondarribia & Pasaia

Worth a Trip

Gernika

Survival Guide

Survival Guide
Before You Go
Arriving in Bilbao & San Sebastián
Getting Around
Essential Information
Language
Behind the Scenes
Our Writers
Welcome to Bilbao & San Sebastián

Bilbao and San Sebastián are both captivating cities with a Basque soul and a love of the culinary arts. But where Bilbao is industrious and arty, San Sebastián is flirtatious and sunny. And in between the two? A string of picturesque coastal villages with a sea-salt heart.

Sunrise at Mercado de la Ribera, Bilbao | JON CHICA/SHUTTERSTOCK ©
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Bilbao & San Sebastián Top Sights

Museo Guggenheim Bilbao
The world-renowned architectural masterpiece.

© FMGB GUGGENHEIM BILBAO MUSEOA, 2018. PHOTOGRAPH: ERIKA EDE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TOTAL OR PARTIAL REPRODUCTION IS PROHIBITED

Bilbao & San Sebastián Top Sights
Museo de Bellas Artes
Treasure chest of Basque and Spanish art.

ALBERTO TORRES ALVES/500PX ©

Bilbao & San Sebastián Top Sights
Gernika
A city devastated by war.

TICHR/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Bilbao & San Sebastián Top Sights
Getaria
Picturesque village on the central coast.

ALBERTO LOYO/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Bilbao & San Sebastián Top Sights
San Telmo Museoa
Showcase of Basque art and culture.

JJFARQ/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Bilbao & San Sebastián Top Sights
Aquarium
An aquatic wonderland brimming with sea life.

EQROY/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Bilbao & San Sebastián Top Sights
Playa de la Concha
One of Europe’s loveliest urban beaches.

LAKOV FILIMONOV/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Bilbao & San Sebastián Top Sights
Monte Igueldo
Offers dramatic views over San Sebastián.

ALEXANDER DEMYANENKO/SHUTTERSTOCK ©
Eating

The Basque Country is famous the world over for its fantastic and one-of-a-kind cuisine. Whether you’re reserving ahead at a celebrated restaurant or just stopping for a glass of wine and a few pintxos at a no-name bar in a coastal village, you’re bound to have a memorable food experience.

MARGARET STEPIEN/LONELY PLANET ©

Pintxos
Enter any bar in the region and the counter is sure to be groaning under the weight of a small mountain of tiny plates of culinary art. These are pintxos (tapas), which will redefine your interpretation of the mere bar snack. As tempting as those lined up on the counter appear, the best are normally the hot ones made to order.

Traditional Basque Cuisine
You don’t have to dine in a fancy restaurant or pick at dainty pintxos to have a superb meal here. Many people like nothing better than a cheap and simple meal at the local eatery. For just a few euros, you can get a lunch that in many other parts of Europe would be classed as a gourmet dining experience.

Best Pintxos
La Cuchara de San Telmo Arguably one of the best pintxo bars in San Sebastián.
Sirimiri Atari Akademy A winning formula with top-notch pintxos , creative cocktails and an artfully designed interior.
Bergara Bar One of the most highly regarded pintxo bars in San Sebastián’s Gros district.
La Viña del Ensanche Go for the tasting menu at Bilbao’s standout pintxo bar.
El Globo Outstanding pintxos that showcase the great bounty of the Basque countryside.
Ledesma No 5 Best of the best when it comes to pintxos , on a restaurant-lined strip in Bilbao’s new town.
Best Basque
Mina Restaurante Fine dining with a lot of soul, on a waterfront strip across from Bilbao’s old town.
Bascook High-end culinary wizardry set in an atmospheric former salt warehouse.
Casa Rufo Bilbao hideaway serving exquisite traditional dishes.
Rio-Oja A sterling reputation for classic Basque fare, which sometimes includes adventurous dishes, like pig’s feet.
Gastroteka Danontzat A fun, creative spot in the cobblestone centre of Hondarribia.

DESIGN PICS INC/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO ©
Best Seafood
El Puertito Slurp down oysters and sip crisp white wine at this garrulous den near Bilbao’s stadium.
Kata 4 Top spot for feasting on seafood in San Sebastián’s new town.
Karola Etxea Feast on fresh seafood in a former fishing village above Getxo’s Puerto Viejo.
Elkano Famed seafood served up in the pretty coastal village of Getaria.
Mesón Arropain Magnificent fish plates and seafood appetisers at this elegant spot in Lekeitio.

Worth a Trip
The Basque Country boasts a cool 28 Michelin stars. Book here as far in advance as possible.
Arzak ( www.arzak.info ) Some of the best nueva cocina vasca (Basque nouvelle cuisine) in the world.
Azurmendi ( www.azurmendi.biz ) Superb setting and innovative, cutting-edge cuisine.
Mugaritz ( www.mugaritz.com ) One of the world’s top restaurants with avant-garde cuisine and gastronomic trickery.
Akelaré ( www.akelarre.net ) Nueva cocina vasca cuisine that is a feast for all five senses.
Martín Berasategui Restaurant ( www.martinberasategui.com ) Prepare for tastes you never knew existed.

Bilbao & San Sebastián on a Plate

Pintxos

ASIFE/GETTY IMAGES ©

o Top Spots for Pintxos
Gure Toki The top choice among many appealing pintxo bars lining Bilbao’s Plaza Nueva.
La Viña del Ensanche Not to be missed, this Bilbao classic has been serving up heavenly morsels since 1927.
Casa Urola An award winner in San Sebastián famed for its white asparagus, grilled scallops and wild mushrooms.
Chutney Gastrobar Turns out some of San Sebastián’s most creative bites.

Pintxos in the Basque Country
A showcase for the great produce from the Basque Country, this gourmet snack comes in limitless varieties. You’ll find tender grilled prawns, juicy stuffed peppers and wild boar terrine, as well as mouth-watering combinations like grilled octopus over kale or wild mushrooms with Idiazabal cheese.
Wherever you go, expect deliciously inventive fare, as creativity is a hallmark of these Basque delicacies.

Pintxos in San Sebastián | JUSTIN FOLKES/LONELY PLANET ©

Drinking & Nightlife

The Basque Country may not be famous for its nightlife, but there’s a lot happening if you know where to look. You’ll find a mix of buzzing cafes, convivial wine bars and lovely terrace cafes. Later on, you can join the party-minded crowds at bars, nightclubs and live music joints, with the revelry continuing late into the night.

JUSTIN FOLKES/LONELY PLANET ©
San Sebastián and Bilbao have an array of impressive venues that play a central role in cultural life. Jazz, classical music, dance, theatre, film screenings and opera are all part of the mix. The vibe is generally friendly and easy-going with a welcome lack of pretension. Venues’ websites usually have details of upcoming gigs and performances.

Best Bars
Mala Gissona Beer House A lively local spot that serves the best craft brews in Gros.
La Gintonería Donostiarra Gin lovers raise a glass at this tonic-loving joint in Gros.
La Mera Mera A small, charming drinking and snacking spot in the appealing San Sebastián neighbourhood of Antiguo.
Bar Ondarra The best place to head after a day on Playa de la Zurriola.
Pokhara One of the top places to start off the night (or early afternoon) in San Sebastián’s new town.
Peso Neto You’ll find a fun, local crowd at this warmly lit ramshackle bar and restaurant.
Bihotz Craft brews and enticing snacks served up in a tiny sun-drenched space.
El Balcón de la Lola The go-to late-night spot with a dance floor that draws in the party people.
Residence Catch live music or just stop in for a drink amid a laid-back crowd.
Best Old-School Spots
Museo del Whisky A museum’s worth of whisky and whisky paraphernalia. They claim to have over 3000 bottles of the stuff!
Côte Bar An easy-going drinking den in San Sebastián’s old town.
Bataplan Disco Get your groove on at this classic DJ-fuelled spot near the beach.
Best Cafes
Sakona Stroll over to this stylish but welcoming Gros cafe for the best coffees in town.
Koh Tao Slow down over a coffee or cool drink at this friendly San Sebastián cafe.
Botanika A laid-back retreat near San Sebastián’s riverfront, popular with locals of all ages.
Baobab Creative teahouse and drinking space with an art-centric vibe.
Bohemian Lane The best place to linger over a coffee and dessert in Bilbao’s old town.
Best Performing Arts
Kursaal The city’s architecturally striking performing arts venue stages an impressive cultural line-up.
Teatro Victoria Eugenia Dating from 1912, this is a lavish theatre to catch a performance.
Tabakalera A celebrated new cultural centre with a line-up of film screenings and concerts.
Teatro Arriaga Take in a classical music concert in the neobaroque surrounds of Bilbao’s beautiful old town theatre.
Euskalduna Palace Enjoy classical music from Bilbao’s two orchestras in this striking building.
Best Live Music
Kafe Antzokia The vibrant heart of contemporary Basque culture: music, public discussions, a cafe and beating bar.
Altxerri Jazz Bar A temple to jazz and blues. Hosts frequent live acts from local and international musicians.
Le Bukowski Hands down one of the best places to hear eclectic bands in San Sebastián.
Etxekalte Live jazz, experimental sounds and DJs near the waterfront. Altxerri Jazz Bar Catch live jazz and blues throughout the year at this buzzing spot on the edge of San Sebastián’s old town. -->

Shopping

The Basque Country has an enticing array of regional wares, locally made fashions and gourmet shops. The best places for indie stores and foodie spots are in the historic neighbourh