Barceló Nervión

The country of Spain is located in southwestern Europe.

Mainland Spain has a surface area of 493,486 square kilometers, while the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands cover 4,992 and 7,447 square kilometers, respectively. The Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla on the African continent account for an additional 32 square kilometers.

The World Tourism Organization rates Spain as the second most popular tourist destination worldwide, with 49.5 million visitors annually.

The Basque Country , in northern Spain, is made up of three provinces: Vizcaya, whose capital city is Bilbao , Guipuzcoa, whose capital is San Sebastián, and Alava, with its capital Vitoria Gasteiz.

The impressive landscapes, unique history, rich cultural tradition, and renowned cuisine, combined with the warm hospitality of its people, make the Basque country one of the main travel destinations for Spaniards.

Bilbao has a population of 360,000. It is the capital of the province of Vizcaya, which is situated in the western part of the Basque Country, in northern Spain.

As the financial and economic center of the region, it is a dynamic and innovative city with intense social and business activity.

The Gothic Santiago Cathedral. Listed as a National Historic Artistic Monument, it is the oldest monument in Bilbao.

Church of San Anton. 15th century church built on the ruins of the old Alcazar of Bilbao.

Plaza Nueva. Neoclassic plaza built in the 19th century. Many social activities and festivities are held here.

Arriaga Theater. Emblematic building, which today stages all kinds of artistic and cultural events.

Palace of the "Diputación del Senorio de Vizcaya". Magnificent eclectic building, with impressive paintings inside.

Begoña Basilica. This Gothic basilica, built in 1588, houses the statue of Amatxo de Begoña, patron saint of Vizcaya.

Museum of Fine Arts.One of the finest collections of paintings in Spain.

Guggenheim Museum. On the banks of the Nervion Inlet. Its architectural design is, in itself, a work of art. Along with its permanent collection, the museum houses interesting temporary exhibitions, concentrating on cutting-edge contemporary art.

Fish is one of the staples of the Bilbao diet, and is used in many popular dishes: hake in green sauce, hake "a la koskera", "a la ondarresa" or simply fried and battered hake; cod "al pil-pil", or "al ajo arriero"; and tuna "a la laqueitia", fried, or with tomatoes.

Although fish certainly plays a essential role in Basque cuisine, meats and vegetables are also an important part of Basque cuisine, including such outstanding dishes as t-bone steak, lamb, and "porrusalda" (a sauce made from leeks).

Other typical specialties include "marmitako", a delicious combination of garlic, olive oil, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes; "txanguro", or spider crab meat; a stew made from vegetables, tomatoes, wines and brandy; and "pintxos" (tapas).

Txacoli, an acidic wine with either a fruity or cider-like aroma, is an excellent way to accompany any typical Bilbao meal.

The most popular desserts are fresh "cuajada" (a yogurt-like dessert), rice pudding, San Marcos cake, and delicious "canutillos" from Bilbao.

The most typical handcrafted products in the region are carved wooden figures, decorative cast iron figures, wicker items, and traditional Basque ceramics.

In Bilbao capital, the busiest shopping area is the Historic Quarter, where visitors can find some of the city's most traditional shops.

The Ribera Market is the main market in the region. Other important shopping centers can be found in the cities of Bermeo, Gernika, Durango, Barakaldo and Galdakoa.