I wasn't sure how to approach planning my Royal Caribbean visit to Bilbao, Spain, until I was watching late night reruns on TV.
Some evenings I'll put on a TV show I've seen dozens of times just to have on in the background while I browse the web, take care of family matters, or call friends and family. A few weeks ago, I had "No Reservations" show on and I thought I should explore a port like Anthony Bourdain would.
Anthony Bourdain is a famous chef turned world traveler, and he documented his journeys by going to a city or region and going beyond the stereotypes. I always appreciated his blend of culture, history, and of course food.
On my visit to Bilbao, Spain as part of my 7-night Anthem of the Seas cruise, I decided to try it out. I did some research into what Bilbao offers, and found a tour idea from the show's web archive.
More than a museum
This was my first time in Spain ever, and Bilbao is anything but what I expected.
The city transformed itself over the last 30 plus years, to move from an industrial history to a new age city that clings to its Basque traditions.
Basque is an important word, because Bilbao is the epicenter of what's known as Basque country. Located between Bilbao, Spain, north to Bayonne, France, is a region known as the land of the Basques. This area is best known for impressive architecture, art, and even its beaches.
The Guggenheim Museum that opened in 1997 is probably what most people think of, but there's a lot more to see here.
It's a beautiful city, situated in front of the Pyrenees Mountains, with a mix of medieval history, modern touches, and a people who speak Spanish second behind the Basque language.
A botxo breakfast
The residents of Bilbao is called, botxo, and I wanted to start my day with a typical breakfast they'd have.
I went to a bakery in the old city of Bilbao to find a bollo de mantequilla, which is a brioche-like bun, sliced open and spread with a French buttercream-style whipped mixture.
Pastelería Arrese had lots of choices, reminding me the tantalizing choices I found yesterday at the boulangerie in Bordeaux.
I couldn't help but sample a few things, including the chocolate-dipped croissants.
To go with it, I stopped at coffee bar next door to get cafe con leche, figuring it would compliment it really well.
While I could have had my usual breakfast on the ship in the Windjammer, it's not often I have the opportunity to enjoy the kind of freshly baked pastries Europe is well-known for.
A day in the market
My next stop was to see where locals get fresh meat and produce, and I went to the largest covered market in Europe.
The Mercado de la Ribera is on the banks of the Nervión River and it's a 100,000 square foot building that sells meats, cheeses, fresh fish, and more.
The market began in the 14th century, and in 1929, architect Pedro Ispizua designed a space that purposefully had open spaces and not a single interior column, so that there would be free circulation of air to whisk away any lingering scents.
The building has stained glass windows, and an Art Deco motif to its exterior.
I didn't buy anything, but it was undeniably cool to walk through and see all the choices available to buy. I wish I was spending a few days in Bilbao, because I would have loved to grab a few things and cooked something at an Airbnb.
Exploring the old city
I spent most of my day in Casco Viejo, which is the name of the old quarter of the city.
There are a number of gothic churches within this area, and the streets look like something you'd expect to find in an Old European city. Narrow streets with brick and cobblestone roads. It was one of those areas I wandered to see what was around the next corner.
Across the river is Bilbao la Vieja, which is an area that has changed a lot over the last few decades.
The streets in this space are covered with urban wall art, where prestigious international artists (like Trakabarraka) make their contributions.
While there's new spaces, you'll also find Spain's history inbetween. It's not uncommon to turn a corner and find an old church or a building facade from centuries ago.
I wrapped up my tour of Bilbao La Vieja with a stop in a local bar that blends history and modernity.
I got to Peso Neto before they started food service, so I had to "settle" for just a cold beer and locals coming and going.
It's a neighborhood spot serving creative tapas, and I really wish I could have sampled some of the dishes they had on the menu.
Going up Mount Artxanda
The sun was shining and there were barely any clouds in the sky, so I wanted to get the best view of Bilbao.
For just a few Euros, you can take a ride up Mount Artxanda on a 100-year-old cable car that climbs up the mountain.
At the top, is an absolutely stunning view of all of Bilbao and the surrounding area.
I could have sat here for hours to take in the view. Between the scenery, gentle breeze, and comfortable temperatures, it's the sort of place you can't get sick of.
Street food lunch
While Spain is well-known for tapas, I couldn't help myself and stop for my favorite street food in Europe.
Ever since my first trip to Europe last year, I developed a guilty pleasure for doner kebab, which is Turkish dish that consists of seasoned meat cooked vertically, and then shaved off.
You can get it served in a few ways, but usually it's in a pita or a wrap.
As I walked back from the funicular that took me up the mountain, I saw it and couldn't resist.
It really hit spot, and it might not be the last time I have kebab on this trip.
Urban art
To round out my day, I thought it would be appropriate to see some art in a city known for it.
While the Guggenheim Museum is where most would go to find art, I decided to take a walk through the city and find the various murals by Bada, Fermín Moreno, and Jorge Rubio.
Urban art is the kind of art someone like myself can appreciate. You can enjoy it without committing to a day (or even a few hours) at a museum.
On my walk, I saw more of Bilbao, including gardens and busy streets. It's a big city, with lots happening and while my feet were hurting after the "short" 25 minute walk, I was glad to have seen more of the modern parts of Bilbao.
I eventually made my way to the Plaza Kirikiño, which features giant murals against buildings.
The art encompasses 2,200 square meters and is based on geometric and chromatic shapes, related to the architecture itself.
Like so much of Bilbao, I wish I had more time to stop at one of the many bars I passed by to grab a drink and take in the view.
Not the city I expected
Bilbao is anything but a formulaic European city. It has a blend of old and new, didn't even remind me of a stereotypical European city.
I relished going beyond tapas and the Guggenheim to see more of what Bilbao had to offer. While I think I would have enjoyed those things as well, I headed back to my cruise ship with a pretty good checklist of new experiences under my belt.
For anyone visiting Bilbao, I'd recommend taking the 20 minute Uber ride from where cruise ships dock in Getxo to take in all that it has to offer. Bring a few Euros, explore what's around the next corner, and come hungry for more.
