Bilbao or surrounding area. What to do in 40C heat not pool or beach?

[ZenNudist]

Help save holiday! Son has broken arm so my heat plan of beach and pool is off. Current plan for a 40C day is H and ds shelter in sweltering apartment whilst other dc and I go to pool. Any better suggestions gratefully received.

We are in the old port area and gave the tram on our doorstep and the car but don't want to walk far in 40C heat.

Not having much fun so far. We go to guggenheim and stadium tomorrow which is annoying as I'd go today to get out the heat.

Hopefully an evening meal if pixtos will redeem the day as we haven't got sunlougers and shade that we can sit all day in the garden.

inside until about 4pm

The maritime museum? It’s inside and my children loved it. Easy to access with the tram.

Try and buy a swimming arm cover. You might get one at a big pharmacy maybe? Or Amazon if they will deliver to you.

Museums definitely a good call otherwise. And avoid the middle of the day.

Long lie ins and going out later in the day/early evening when it's cooler. We did this last year in sweltering heat in Rome. Not ideal but changing our sleep pattern helped us enjoy the holiday more.

You can swim with a broken arm with the right cover for the cast. I've seen kids training at swim club with casts on. Maybe try to get a cover- would amazon deliver to where you are?

I think I would give serious consideration to whether the child with a broken arm and one parent should fly back home early so that they can at least do some fun stuff there while those on holiday do pool or beach without feeling torn/guilty.

After Corfu this July we've decided that we're not going to southern Europe in the summer again. It's just not enough fun in that heat.

We are Basque ! Ongi etorri !

In summer heat you need to get up early to go for walks, in Bilbao the walk along the river is nice, and go into the hills if you are more adventurous. Or in town go into the churches and the market. Go for a pre-lunch pintxo in the old town (especially on a Sunday.)

Stay indoors between 14h and 18h.

The Bellas Artes museum is also well worth a visit.

You can take a (long) bus ride (or drive if you have a car) to Guernica and see the oak tree, there is also some sort of museum there, but check it is open.

Personally I would strongly recommend visiting San Sebastian for a day; the town is beautiful and there is more than just beach. Try to get there early - there is a bus from Bilbao. During the hottest part of the day find an airconditioned restaurant (Foodoo - also has a branch in Bilbao - has a good menú del día). You could also do a boat trip, if that's your vibe.

If you're there on the 15th and it appeals to you I would go to a mass. Also prepare for everything to be closed.

Have fun and probably the heat won't last up here.

All day at the Guggenheim

I don't know Bilbao but is there an aquarium. I remember being in Malta with DC one year when it was similar temperatures, we found an aquarium by chance and it was lovely and cool we stayed for ages!

My dd broke her wrist whilst on holiday last year (in UK) but I ordered a bag to go over the arm so she could still go in the sea and pool!

It’s only 40º today in the north of Spain, I guess OP was asking for ideas for today. Flying back makes no sense when from tomorrow temperatures drop back to 25º maximum. Prepare for some showers tonight OP, and I assume you’re all indoors at this time of day anyway!

How old's your son? Maybe he'd like the "transporter bridge linking Las Arenas (Getxo) and Portugalete, declared a heritage monument by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, is more than 125 years old. Designed by the architect, Alberto Palacio, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel, it was opened in 1893." https://www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/en/puente-colgante

Fantastic experience (only 11 working transporter bridges left in the world)! Get the Bilbao Metro - it ought to be cool. Stop at Areeta / Portugalete. Cross over to Getxos with nice sandy beach, etc. I've done both sides on different trips and they're fab.

Please excuse me while I find out how to delete this now redundant message!

There is a (smallish) aquarium in the centre of San Sebastián.