Once an industrial port cloaked in steel and smoke, Bilbao has reinvented itself as one of Europe’s most dynamic cultural destinations. Nestled in the heart of Spain’s Basque Country, this riverfront city now shines as a beacon of innovation—where avant-garde architecture, world-class art, and Michelin-starred cuisine blend seamlessly beneath the misty green hills of northern Spain.

In just 24 hours, you can experience the essence of Bilbao: its rhythm, its refinement, and its remarkable sense of place.

Morning: Coffee, Culture & Curves

Start your day like a local at Café Iruña, a Belle Époque institution dating back to 1903, located just off Parque de Doña Casilda. Beneath ornate mosaics and Moorish-inspired arches, sip a rich café con leche and enjoy a slice of warm tortilla española while the city slowly stirs awake.

Then, make your way to Bilbao’s shimmering icon—the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Designed by Frank Gehry, its sinuous titanium curves reflect the sky and river in a dance of light that redefined Bilbao’s skyline forever. Inside, you’ll wander through one of Europe’s most compelling modern art collections, from Rothko’s color fields to Richard Serra’s monumental installation, The Matter of Time. Even a brief visit here feels like stepping into the future of art.

Lunch: Elevated Basque Cuisine

Cross the Nervión River to Restaurante Mina, a Michelin-starred temple to contemporary Basque cuisine. With only a few tables overlooking the water, the experience feels deeply personal—an intimate dialogue between land, sea, and season. Chef Álvaro Garrido crafts an ever-evolving tasting menu that celebrates local ingredients with quiet precision.

Pair your meal with a glass of Txakoli, the region’s signature crisp white wine, and let the flavors tell the story of a city that balances tradition and innovation with effortless grace.

Afternoon: Old Town Charms

After lunch, wander into Casco Viejo, Bilbao’s beautifully preserved old quarter. Its “Seven Streets” are a labyrinth of pintxo bars, boutiques, and centuries-old façades, humming with Basque authenticity.

Make your way to Mercado de la Ribera, Europe’s largest covered market, where locals shop for glistening seafood, jamón ibérico, and nutty wedges of Idiazábal cheese. Pull up a stool at one of the market bars for a glass of Rioja and a couple of pintxos—the bite-sized culinary art form that defines northern Spain’s food culture.

This is Bilbao at its most genuine—where life unfolds between laughter, clinking glasses, and the aroma of grilled octopus.

Evening: A Culinary Pilgrimage

As the sun dips behind the hills, drive just outside the city to Azurmendi, a three-Michelin-starred sanctuary and one of the world’s most sustainable fine-dining restaurants. Set within a glass-walled structure surrounded by vineyards, chef Eneko Atxa reimagines Basque gastronomy through an immersive, sensory journey.

Before dinner even begins, guests are invited to explore the restaurant’s greenhouse and kitchen—an intimate prelude to a meal that fuses artistry, emotion, and place. Each course tells a story: of heritage, innovation, and harmony with the land.

Dining here isn’t just a meal—it’s a spiritual experience for the gourmand traveler.

Stay: Seaside Elegance

End your 24 hours in style at the Palacio Arriluce Hotel in nearby Getxo, a restored aristocratic mansion overlooking the Bay of Biscay. Its interiors blend heritage architecture with contemporary sophistication: think marble floors, sculptural lighting, and sea-facing terraces perfect for sunset contemplation.

Order a nightcap in the library bar, listen to the whisper of the waves, and reflect on a day spent in a city that feels both reborn and eternal.

THL Tip:

Bilbao rewards both the curious traveler and the culinary connoisseur. Whether you come for the architecture, the art, or the unparalleled Basque gastronomy, 24 hours is enough to fall under its quiet, magnetic spell—and to start planning your return.