Route 1. Bilbao, Port Before City
Information about accessibility Guggenheim Bilbao Museum
A port and industrial past and a transformative present
We recommend going by
- andar
- bicicleta
- tranvia
We highly recommend walking along the estuary from the San Antónbridge, the start of the estuary flow, to the Olabeaga neighbourhood.
The estuary was Bilbao’s High Street, the major thoroughfare toward which its most important buildings’ doors open: Arriaga Theatre, the City Hall, the University of Deusto and more. You can cross from one side to the other using one of the various bridges.
If you prefer, you can do the same route by bike or tram. You can visit all the old port's loading docks, which are now friendly public spaces.
Points of interest
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The estuary, the backbone of Bizkaia
The estuary was Bilbao’s High Street, the major thoroughfare toward which its most important buildings’ doors open: Arriaga Theatre, the City Hall, the ...
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Miribilla district mines
The modern neighbourhood of Miribilla is located on top of what was once an underground and open-pit mining operation.
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La Ribera market
La Ribera Market, Bilbao’s shopping area since the 15th century.
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La Ceres flour factory
The first building with a concrete structure in Spain.
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Train stations in Bilbao
In the early 20th century, travellers could choose from seven stations in Bilbao to start or end their rail journey.
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Bilbao docks
The current loading docks of Urazurrutia, Marzana, La Merced, Ripa, Arenal, Uribitarte, Olabeaga now converted into friendly public spaces, commemorate the ...
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Bilbao paving stones
An icon of Bilbao and Bizkaia, made with iron shavings from Altos Hornos de Vizcaya.
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Compañía de Maderas lumber company
In our stroll along the estuary toward Abandoibarra, we’ll reach what is now an icon of Bilbao-Bizkaia and all of the Basque Country, the Guggenheim Bilbao ...
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Bridges of Bilbao
It’s impossible to imagine the Nervión-Ibaizabal estuary without its bridges. Today, 14 bridges cross the estuary and another three are slated to open in ...
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The Deusto tiger
An industrial building converted for residential use with an imposing 9 metre tiger sculpture on its tower.
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Euskalduna shipyard - itsas sea museum
The seagoing and port past of the Nervión-Ibaizabal estuary at the Itsas Sea Museum, nestled in aport setting that recalls the importance shipbuilding had ...
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Zorrotzaurre: the channel and the Deusto riverside
In 2018, the area known as Zorrotzaurre was converted into an island with its focus on urban regeneration for new uses, attempting to maintain its ...
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Punta Zorrotza
Along with the Burtzeña area of Barakaldo, Punta Zorrotza is home to one of the largest concentrations of protected industrial monuments in Spain.
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La Alhóndiga
Bilbao’s former municipal Alhóndiga (now Azkuna Zentroa) in the heart of El Ensanche neighbourhood is worth a visit. This majestic former wine exchange in the modernist style – designed by the architect Ricardo Bastida and completed in 1909 – is one of the most striking buildings of the Indautxu neighbourhood. In 2010, this industrial monument was converted into a cultural container, where you can marvel at its large covered courtyard, with its 43 columns in different architectural styles and materials, along with its breathtaking rooftop terrace.
Guide in pdf format
Download the Iron River guide.