Secrets of Bilbao Bike Ride, Bilbao

Explore beautiful, historic, and modern Bilbao by bike, one of the best cities in Spain for cycling. Biking gives the advantage of seeing more in less time, meaning you can zip through the city's historic Old Town and enjoy its modern neighborhoods. Along the way, you'll make quite a few stops to take in the city's must-sees, like the Cathedral of Bilbao, the river promenade, and the Guggenheim Museum.

Enjoy Bilbao in a unique way: on two wheels. You'll meet your guide on Calle de Villarias, right between Bilbao's two central districts, the modern downtown area and the historic Casco Viejo (Old Town). Get situated with your cycling equipment and start with a brief introduction of the activity, then start pedaling through the city, using designated bike lanes and pedestrianized streets to avoid traffic.

To start, you'll cycle along the Nervión River via the city's riverfront promenade, learning firsthand how Bilbao's modern expansion happened in the late 20th century. You'll pass sites including the Spider by Louise Bourgeois, Puppy by Jeff Koons, Arati Isozaki Towers, Zubizuri (White Bridge) designed by Calatrava, and La Salve Bridge. Of course, you can't miss admiring the unique exterior of the Guggenheim Museum, designed by the legendary architect Frank Gehry. 

Keep going and visit other sites, including the statue of the Tiger of Deusto, the San Mames area with its Athletic Club football stadium, and the Euskalduna Palace, built on the site of old shipyards.

As you circle back to your starting point, you'll pedal through Doña Casilda Park and make your way to Plaza Nueva in the Old Town. You'll make several stops to discover how the city started in its historic core and to admire buildings from the 13th century. One of the main stopping points will be the city's beautiful cathedral, built in the 14th century and featuring a beautiful Gothic-revival facade. Other Old Town sites include the Neo-Baroque Teatro Arriaga, the old city walls by the San Antón Bridge, and more.

By the end of your cycle, you'll better understand what made Bilbao grow and why it's now home to unique, ultra-modern, and sometimes quirky architecture and sculptures. You'll also get a sense of how all these buildings culminate into a beautiful city that has truly mastered mixing old and new, historical and contemporary.