Bilbao is a city with about a third-of-a-million inhabitants, and with almost one million people in its metropolitan area. It is located in the Biscay province, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, in the Northern area of Spain, not far from France.

Burial sites were found here, dating from six thousand years ago, and evidence of a slightly more advanced community was found to be in existence in the third to second century B.C. As a formal city, it was founded June 15, 1300.

When to go

You can arrive in Bilbao either by the train station or by the airport. From either, you can find many car hire places. There are very many means of transportation here: buses, a ferry (from Portsmouth, England), various other public transportation, and taxi. However, a car hire is best because of the equally innumerable sights to see in the area.

Again, there are countless places to see and things to do, including numerous museums (including the world famous Guggenheim Museum), churches, architecturally-beautiful buildings, and even kayaking and purchasing at the flea market. Perhaps, though, the question is not, “Where to go?” but “When to go?”

Bilbao is somewhat warm and humid throughout the year. In February, the average temperature is 49.6° F although it has been known to be as high as 80.2° F and as low as 16.5° F. In August, the average temperature is 68.5° F, although it can be as high as 107.4° F or as low as 44.2° F. The humidity is always in the low 70% range and it rains 1-2 weeks each month throughout the year. It does snow one or two days in January and February.

There are not that many events or festivals--or, at least, not on a consistent basis. However, there is the Semana Grande, the city’s fiesta, held in late August and an open air concert throughout the Summer. There is also the above-mentioned flea market, on Dos de Mayo Street on the first Saturday of each month.

Destinations

As an explorer, you can go to the beach in your car hire as Bilbao is quite close to the Atlantic Ocean. One thing that you must understand and remember is its cultural history. Bilbao is a part of the Basque Autonomous Country, where there is a strong separatist feeling and animosity toward Spain. It is best to avoid political discussions until you learn more from the locals.