Plaza Nueva, Bilbao

Walking tours

Our pintxo discovery experience begins with a briefing at our shop @TourneBilbao. We want you to understand the importance of food in how we relate to each other and the special little tricks to doing it like a local. The Ribera Market, the largest covered food market in Europe and where Michelin star bosses and ordinary citizens stock up on some of the best food the city has to offer Then it's time to dive into the old town and its hidden secrets, so our first stop would be one of the classic bars where the "txikiteros", the local wine drinkers, sing songs as they drink. If we are lucky, we have the option to share with them a wine and a classic aperitif discussing the traditions and symbols of the Basque Country. Next, we will go to the emblematic Plaza Nueva, to taste 2 pintxos and learn about the local Basque wine: Txakoli in one of its local bars. Once we have visited the old town, we will cross the river to enter the Ensanche, the economic center of the city. We will visit a very historic bar and we will have the opportunity to taste Rioja wines, as well as pintxos that mix the most advanced cuisine with the most traditional flavors of local products. Your tour ends here, where you will not only be filled with delicious pintxos, but also gain a new insight into the local culture and traditions. And most importantly, you will feel like an authentic Bilbaíno.

Explore Bilbao by bike like a local on a guided tour past all the city’s main sights like the magnificent Guggenheim Museum. Uncover the history of this fascinating city and learn about its stunning old and new attractions. Departing from the central Calle de Villarias, follow your guide along bike lanes and pedestrianized streets to avoid the busy traffic. Follow the course of the river to learn why it was essential to the development of the city. Peddle by contemporary and historic sites and stop at the dramatic Guggenheim Museum, which opened on the banks of the Nervión River and was designed by the architect Frank Gehry in the 1990s.  Marvel at the Euskalduna Conference Centre, built on the site of the old shipyards, and see the new San Mamés football stadium. Explore historic Bilbao at sites such as the Neo-baroque Teatro Arriaga.  Learn the history of the narrow streets and wide plazas of the Casco Viejo (Old Town), and discover how the old city walls by the San Antón Bridge link Bilbao La Vieja and Casco Viejo.

Discover Bilbao by bike on this guided tour. Peddle along this vibrant city, and see the iconic sites such as the Guggenheim, parks, government buildings, the Maritime Museum, City Hall, and the La Ribera Market. Meet your guide at the activity provider's office to begin your cycle. Get a quick introduction to using your bike and wear your helmet before you whizz off to explore this city. Cycle through this beautiful city, marvel at the architecture and immerse yourself in this fascinating history and culture. See the iconic Guggenheim Museum. Pedal through the industrial past of Bilbao and listen as your guide tells you about this city's history, industry, and trade. See the towering bridges and historic warehouses that once defined the city's landscape, which are now beautifully restored and transformed into cultural landmarks. See another side to Bilbao as you explore it by bike and get your daily dose of exercise in. Immerse yourself in the local culture and history as you enjoy an adventurous day out with your friends or family that you won't forget. 

Over 500 years of history will be explored on this walking tour. From the Cathedral of Santiago, Plaza Nueva, the Church of St. Anton and the ruins on which it stands, to the Mercado de la Ribera. This is where the town was born, this is where the port was, and from where the city opened to the world - serving as a bridge between northern Europe and the Hispanic kingdoms. You'll be guided by your professional tour guide in a small group. Learn the history that took place in the streets that Miguel de Unamuno once walked through. Your guide will also take you on a traditional “txikiteo” or “poteo” (bar crawl) to the area's most iconic bars.

This tour, which begins at the gates of Bilbao's Old Town, will take us through the history of the old part of the city, the area around which the city as we know it today expanded. We will see the Plaza Circular and the Estación de la Concordia, from Bilbao's Belle Époque, before heading to the Arenal Bridge to cross the Nervión estuary. This important bridge is the access point to the most authentic part of the city. But before entering the 'Seven Streets', we will learn about the history of the church of San Nicolás de Bari, a monument that houses one of the most outstanding rococo sculptures in the Basque Country. We will walk through the streets of the Old Town until we reach the Plaza Miguel Unamuno, a lively square that connects with many other streets and has numerous bars. Among the narrow cobbled streets, where local shops populate the ground floor of the buildings, we arrive at the Mercado de la Ribera, the city's traditional shopping centre, today a reference point for those who want to enjoy all kinds of pintxos in the same place. However, we will try this delicacy a little further on, as the route continues. We will see the Merced Bridge, designed by the engineer Hoffmeyer, which had to be rebuilt after the Civil War. Again between streets, we will stop in front of the Palace of Yohn or La Bolsa, the common point of three streets of the Old Quarter, which today is a cultural centre. This building has no author, a fact that gives it a unique aura of mystery. Our last and long-awaited stop will be Bilbao's mythical Plaza Nueva, the meeting place par excellence for the locals of the botxo. In one of its most renowned bars, La Olla, we will enjoy a pintxo with a drink of your choice to close this walking tour of Bilbao in the best possible way. Book and live it!

In a 3-hour guided tour, discover medieval Bilbao’s charming streets and squares along with the intense commercial and port activity that made this city into what it is today. Start by meeting your guide and delving into the city’s ancient past: see the city’s outer walls, the Gothic Cathedral of Santiago, the Plaza Nueva, and the emblematic Church of San Antón, totaling more than 500 years of history that seems to transcend time.   Then, continue your tour to the well-known Ensanche, a key sign of the progress of this city. See the urban development of Bilbao and its architectural wonders from the 19th through to the 21st century. It will be here that you’ll witness the pulsating heart of a city that exudes both tradition and avant-garde style.   Your visit ends with the opportunity to sample one of the most iconic Bilbao foods: pintxos. These are small snacks skewered with a toothpick, usually eaten socially in bars, which makes them the perfect way to end this small group tour with your new friends.

Play a thrilling city exploration game and uncover the secrets of the Casco Viejo of Bilbao, the beating heart of the city! On your quest in search of the missing Maestro of the Bilbao Orchestra, you'll wander through historic alleys, step on bridges full of legends, and solve challenges to discover iconic and hidden treasures of Bilbao's Old Town.Are you ready for a mysterious adventure? The app offers precise directions through the city. Play at your own pace. Feel free to pause and explore your surroundings whenever you wish. After you book the game, you’ll get an email with instructions on how to play. For larger groups, one person can purchase access for the entire group by selecting the number of people in the group. All group members will be able to play the city game on their smartphone. Alternatively, each person can purchase their own voucher. You can play as a group and solve the clues together as you walk, or you can split into smaller groups/teams and compete against the others. Each person can also play on their own, separate from the group, and meet the group at the end.

Enjoy a boat ride along the Bilbao River, pass important buildings including the Guggenheim Museum and the University of Deustro.  Stroll through the city on a walking tour, walk under the different bridges in Bilbao and to Casco Viejo. Finish the tour by tasting a  pintxo (tapa) and having a drink. 

Discover the highlights of Bilbao on a private tour of major attractions such as the Guggenheim Museum and Ribera Market. Explore the Old Town quarter to see beautiful architecture and charming streets, and get a sense of how the locals live. Admire monuments such as City Hall and Santiago Cathedral, consecrated in honor of the apostle Saint James the Great. Look at the Gothic façade of the Church of San Antón, and discover off-the-beaten-path locations known only to the locals. Stroll through an old train station and window shop the fancy stores of the Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro avenue. Reach the magnificent Guggenheim Museum on the banks of the Nervion River, and take a fully guided tour outside to see the permanent collections of contemporary art. Take your time inside to enjoy the temporary exhibits.

Embark on an Exclusive Bilbao Exploration with Our Private Tour from San Sebastian. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Bilbao as we drive along the scenic Basque Coast. Our first stop is the iconic Artxanda lookout, offering panoramic views that unveil the entirety of Bilbao from the summit. Immerse yourself in the culture and history of this vibrant city as we leisurely stroll through its narrow streets. Indulge in a delectable lunch at the Bistró Guggenheim Bilbao, where the rich flavors of Traditional Basque Cuisine await. After savoring the culinary delights, our journey continues with a leisurely walk along the river, leading us to the world-class Guggenheim Museum. This architectural masterpiece awaits, promising an immersive encounter with contemporary art on a global scale. Book this private tour for an unforgettable day of exploration, cultural enrichment, and culinary indulgence in the heart of Bilbao.