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BilbaoBilbao is located in the mouth of the river Ibaizabal in the north of the historical territory of Bizkaia, surrounded by several mountains such as Pagasarri, Ganeta, Restaleku, Arnotegi, Artxanda and Santo Domingo. Apart from being the capital of Bizkaia, it is the most populated Basque city and the economic driving force of the Basque Autonomous Region, as well as a cultural reference point.
The city has undergone an important transformation for the last decades, thanks to new infrastructures -the underground: Metro Bilbao -, the restoration of many buildings, the port's enlargement, the creation of new green areas, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the Euskalduna Convention Centre and the Maritime Museum, but still preserving its old the charm.
"Siete Calles"
The Old Town, better known as Siete Calles (Seven Streets), constitutes Bilbao's core and its main commercial and leisure area. It is a real delight to walk through its narrow streets studded with bars, restaurants and typical and modern shops.
In the nearby, the Arenal Bridge connects the Old Town with the 19th-century urban expansion area, that consists of elegant buildings and big blocks. Don Diego Lopez de Haro Street, commonly called as Gran Via, is the core of the enlargement. This elegant business and banking thoroughfare has now become a semi-pedestrian street. Bizkaia's capital is also a financial and service centre. The Bilbao Stock Exchange -an economic reference at State level-, and the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) -house of relevant international fairs, are two of its main economic features. On the other hand, the Port of Bilbao is the biggest and most important one in the Basque Country and one of the leading ports in Europe.
Cosy, plural and cosmopolitan city, Bilbao welcomes a growing number of visitors every year, especially during the Aste Nagusia (Big Week). Bilbao's main festival takes place in August. Mari Jaia, a big blonde figure built of papier mache, is the soul of the festival.
The city has undergone an important transformation for the last decades, thanks to new infrastructures -the underground: Metro Bilbao -, the restoration of many buildings, the port's enlargement, the creation of new green areas, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the Euskalduna Convention Centre and the Maritime Museum, but still preserving its old the charm.
"Siete Calles"
The Old Town, better known as Siete Calles (Seven Streets), constitutes Bilbao's core and its main commercial and leisure area. It is a real delight to walk through its narrow streets studded with bars, restaurants and typical and modern shops.
In the nearby, the Arenal Bridge connects the Old Town with the 19th-century urban expansion area, that consists of elegant buildings and big blocks. Don Diego Lopez de Haro Street, commonly called as Gran Via, is the core of the enlargement. This elegant business and banking thoroughfare has now become a semi-pedestrian street. Bizkaia's capital is also a financial and service centre. The Bilbao Stock Exchange -an economic reference at State level-, and the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) -house of relevant international fairs, are two of its main economic features. On the other hand, the Port of Bilbao is the biggest and most important one in the Basque Country and one of the leading ports in Europe.
Cosy, plural and cosmopolitan city, Bilbao welcomes a growing number of visitors every year, especially during the Aste Nagusia (Big Week). Bilbao's main festival takes place in August. Mari Jaia, a big blonde figure built of papier mache, is the soul of the festival.
Donostia-San SebastiánBathed by the Cantabrian Sea and surrounded by green mountains, Donostia-San Sebastián presents a fascinating landscape that captivates every person visiting the city. Capital of the historical territory of Gipuzkoa, the city is one of the most important cultural and tourist centres in the Basque Country.
The most famous image of the city is that of the beautiful shell-shaped bay that protects the sea. From there, we can have a nice walk to the end of Ondarreta beach and admire the Peine del Viento (Wind's comb), a magnificent sculpture by Eduardo Chillida. Likewise the Kursaal, Miramar palace and the Boulevard are some of the identity-features of the city, giving it a lordly appearance. Walking through the city centre we will find the Buen Pastor cathedral, a centenary temple of Neo-gothic style. The temple is 75 metres high and can be seen from many parts of the city.
The old part, the city's heart
The old part, situated at the foot of Mount Urgull, is a charming place whose streets form a very cosy place. In its centre we will find the Constitución square, with numbered balconies that remember the square's past as a bullring. In the evenings and every weekend, the streets are packed with people enjoying the gastronomy of bars and restaurants. Once tasted those delights, we can go for a walk to the Alderdi Eder Gardens and to the Gipuzkoa square.
Donostia-San Sebastián's agenda is full of different activities all through the year. The International Film Festival, with acting people and directors from the whole world gathered to enjoy the best cinema, is one of the most representatives. We have to mention, likewise, the International Jazz Festival, compulsory event for jazz lovers.
The holiday calendar begins on January 20, day of Saint Sebastian and patron saint of the city. Engines are started on the eve, when the city's flag is raised together with the march composed by Raimundo Sarriegi. All day long fun and drum music flood the streets of the city. This is a place full of charming places worth visiting. We have to mention two other celebrations: during the summer, the great week of San Sebastian with its firework, and during the winter, the celebration of Santo Tomás, where you can taste the traditionnal "txistorra".
The most famous image of the city is that of the beautiful shell-shaped bay that protects the sea. From there, we can have a nice walk to the end of Ondarreta beach and admire the Peine del Viento (Wind's comb), a magnificent sculpture by Eduardo Chillida. Likewise the Kursaal, Miramar palace and the Boulevard are some of the identity-features of the city, giving it a lordly appearance. Walking through the city centre we will find the Buen Pastor cathedral, a centenary temple of Neo-gothic style. The temple is 75 metres high and can be seen from many parts of the city.
The old part, the city's heart
The old part, situated at the foot of Mount Urgull, is a charming place whose streets form a very cosy place. In its centre we will find the Constitución square, with numbered balconies that remember the square's past as a bullring. In the evenings and every weekend, the streets are packed with people enjoying the gastronomy of bars and restaurants. Once tasted those delights, we can go for a walk to the Alderdi Eder Gardens and to the Gipuzkoa square.
Donostia-San Sebastián's agenda is full of different activities all through the year. The International Film Festival, with acting people and directors from the whole world gathered to enjoy the best cinema, is one of the most representatives. We have to mention, likewise, the International Jazz Festival, compulsory event for jazz lovers.
The holiday calendar begins on January 20, day of Saint Sebastian and patron saint of the city. Engines are started on the eve, when the city's flag is raised together with the march composed by Raimundo Sarriegi. All day long fun and drum music flood the streets of the city. This is a place full of charming places worth visiting. We have to mention two other celebrations: during the summer, the great week of San Sebastian with its firework, and during the winter, the celebration of Santo Tomás, where you can taste the traditionnal "txistorra".
Vitoria-GasteizCapital of Alava and the Basque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz is located in the Llanada Alavesa (plains), in the middle of the historical territory. It is home for the most important Basque institutions: the Ajuria Palace (official home of the Lehendakari-Basque President-), the Basque Government headquarters in the neighbourhood of Lakua and the Basque Parliament.
However, Vitoria-Gasteiz is above all a city rich in heritage. In fact, its medieval Old Town, declared Monumental Complex in 1997, is the best preserved in the Basque Country with its gothic design and its narrow streets, as well as important medieval and Renaissance buildings. In the Old Town we can admire four towers, belonging to its four great temples: Santa María Cathedral or Old Cathedral, at the highest part of the Old Town; the church of San Pedro; the church of San Vicente or the parish church of San Miguel, where the Virgen Blanca, patron saint of the city, is venerated.
Not far away from this last church is the Virgen Blanca square. On the first days of August, the descent of Celedón, which takes places at this point, marks the beginning of the most important festivals in the city. Nearby we can visit the Plaza Nueva square, declared historic-artistic Monument in 1984, and where the Town Hall is situated. This arcaded square means the beginning of the neoclassical new neighbourhood, formed by pedestrian streets and high commercial activity.
Large green zones
These pedestrian areas together with its large green zones make the capital one of the cities with the best quality of life in Europe. Vitoria-Gasteiz offers 20m² of green zones per inhabitant, the highest rate in the whole country. Furthermore it is surrounded by a green ring formed by four huge parks of great ecological and landscape importance: Olarizu, Armentia, Salburua y Zabalgana, which separate the city of the countryside.
Likewise we must mention that Vitoria-Gasteiz offers a wide range of activities throughout the year. In fact it houses numerous museums and culture centres like the Artium, the Basque Museum of Contemporary Art. Some of the most important cultural events are the Basque Cinema Week, the Spring Craftwork Fair or the International Jazz Fetival, which takes palce at the end of July.
However, Vitoria-Gasteiz is above all a city rich in heritage. In fact, its medieval Old Town, declared Monumental Complex in 1997, is the best preserved in the Basque Country with its gothic design and its narrow streets, as well as important medieval and Renaissance buildings. In the Old Town we can admire four towers, belonging to its four great temples: Santa María Cathedral or Old Cathedral, at the highest part of the Old Town; the church of San Pedro; the church of San Vicente or the parish church of San Miguel, where the Virgen Blanca, patron saint of the city, is venerated.
Not far away from this last church is the Virgen Blanca square. On the first days of August, the descent of Celedón, which takes places at this point, marks the beginning of the most important festivals in the city. Nearby we can visit the Plaza Nueva square, declared historic-artistic Monument in 1984, and where the Town Hall is situated. This arcaded square means the beginning of the neoclassical new neighbourhood, formed by pedestrian streets and high commercial activity.
Large green zones
These pedestrian areas together with its large green zones make the capital one of the cities with the best quality of life in Europe. Vitoria-Gasteiz offers 20m² of green zones per inhabitant, the highest rate in the whole country. Furthermore it is surrounded by a green ring formed by four huge parks of great ecological and landscape importance: Olarizu, Armentia, Salburua y Zabalgana, which separate the city of the countryside.
Likewise we must mention that Vitoria-Gasteiz offers a wide range of activities throughout the year. In fact it houses numerous museums and culture centres like the Artium, the Basque Museum of Contemporary Art. Some of the most important cultural events are the Basque Cinema Week, the Spring Craftwork Fair or the International Jazz Fetival, which takes palce at the end of July.
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