Bilbao

[Frazzled2207]

Anyone been? Have an opportunity for a child free weekend to celebrate my 40th. Is fairly short notice so flights to everywhere are extortionate.

But not to Bilbao, well timed flights not too expensive. I like Spain generally so will we have a good time?

The alternative option is Palma but husband likes to not go where everyone else goes.
Already been to Barcelona and Madrid.

I’d recommend flying to Bilbao and heading to San Sebastián about an hour away, amazing place with fantastic food- tapas type stuff called pinchos, we did this fantastic food tour with a local guide and was one of the best nights ever!

Did this for my husbands 40th. Flew to Bilbao for one night, spent a half day at the Guggenheim museum, walked around, ate fabulous food, stayed in a quirky hotel, flew home. Highly recommend!

Oooh I'm all excited now. Looks worthwhile then!

Definitely recommend San Sebastián - we had a fantastic and greedy holiday there.

Oh yes - San Sebastian! Fabulous place with fantastic seafood.

Bilbao is good too, though. Nice bars with tapas (or pintxos) around a nice square. Lovely city.

Bilbao is nice but San Sebastián is nicer. You can get the bus from one to the other so it’s easy to split the time between them.

Ah right am now thinking we could do one night in one and second in the other.....doable?

It's an hour on the bus between Bilbao and San Sebastian. I'd get an Airbnb for both, do a day in Bilbao and the rest in San Seb.

If you like food try and get a table at Akelare or similar.

Im jealous

@iwantavuvezela, did that quirky hotel have a mad light up metal lady in the room as a headboard by any chance?

Haha justwanttoweeinpeace no I would have remembered that!

Bilbao is really nice. Go to the Guggenheim (it may be slightly cheaper or faster to book online in advance). The Alhóndiga arts' centre and Bellas Artes museum are also worth visiting if you have time in between strolling, eating and drinking.

The casco viejo (old town) is lovely to walk around and so is the riverbank. You can take the metro cheaply and quickly to nearby beaches such as Getxo, Plentxia and Santurtxi.

Bilbainos are friendly people and it's cheap to eat and drink. Try the local white wine - Txakoli - and there is also plenty of northern Spanish cider. (And kalimotxo - red wine mixed with Coca Cola - if you want to get truly local). The Basque country has the best food in Spain and you must try the famous pintxos as well as some great local cheeses and dairy produce. I recommend Café Iruña and Victor Montes for pintxos and Foodoo and La Mary for menú del día (cheap as chips lunch).

If you want to go to San Sebastián, take the bus from the coach station near La Alhóndiga. Tickets are bought in cash. The journey's about 80 minutes. I love DSS, but Bilbao has plenty of charms too.

If you go to San Sebastián, go to Bar Nestor in the casco antiguo and order the tomato salad. Get the chuletón too if you're very hungry (for 2 people).

For a good, quick eat, I recommend Bodega Donostiarra in Gros. Kök down by Ondarreta beach is also good for pintxos and snacks.

As a pp said, there are also some fantastic Michelin starred restaurants in San Sebastián, but do book quickly if you're coming in summer.