Bilbao. Guide for Bilbao

Mercadona in Bilbao - Barakaldo

There is new interest in citizens having a Mercadona in Bilbao. And is that Basque is the only autonomous region that does not have a supermarket of this chain. That is why, tired of having to travel outside, or take advantage of travel to other communities to buy their products, social networks would reflect the desire to build an Mercadona in Bilbao. Groups such as "Basques who shop at Mercadona like there's no tomorrow" and "I WANT A MERCADONA IN BILBAO" populate Facebook with thousands of followers.

And it is not just about prices of products, because when people walking miles to go buy Mercadona, is because products like creams, yogurts, cereals, ... have little to envy in terms of quality with other brands known.

It seems that, after much pressure the first Basque Mercadona will appear shortly. Mercadona has moved piece and has contacted Megapark makers in Barakaldo, to install around your supermarket. And the space occupied by the closed and Saturn have many numbers to be elected.

Even so, the municipality of Barakaldo has not confirmed anything about it, but as it did when we announced the arrival of Ryanair in Bilbao , official sources nor indicated when the river sounds ... is that water takes.

The Basque capital is a beautiful city with a great tourist attraction, so that more and more people who choose to visit. As a result, some of the services offered to tourists have suffered a price increase. The best way to combat the rising prices are staying in a hostel.

The Bilbao Inns offer quality accommodation, good location and affordable prices. More not ask! Here are some examples to get an idea.

The Ganbara Hostel is a brand new, opened in July 2011 and is located in the Old Quarter of the city. There are a total of 62 beds in 13 rooms for four, six or eight people. Breakfast is included in the price, but that's not all ... Ganbara Hostel offers air conditioning, WiFi, security lockers, luggage storage, bicycle rental, kitchen, laundry, ... In short, all the amenities needed to enjoy economic and stay most enjoyable.

Surf Backpackers Bilbao - Hostal

On the other hand, the Surf Backpackers Bilbao offers private and shared rooms, to suit the budgets of all travelers. It is located in the center of the city, two blocks from the Guggenheim Museum and the surroundings have many tapas bars. Guests have free access to common room, kitchen, laundry, luggage storage and the Internet.

Hostal Mardones (Bilbao)

The last example that we share with you is the Hostal Mardones. This is a more traditional but boasts the best location (in the heart of Casco Viejo Bilbao) and excellent facilities. There are a total of 18 comfortable rooms, all double, ideal for couples and travelers who want to fully enjoy your privacy. The price includes bed linen, towels and luggage, but there are also Internet access, lockers in the rooms and parking.

These three hotels are just a small sample of the supply of housing having Bilbao. Private rooms, shared rooms, kitchen, laundry, internet access, ... The vast majority offer all the necessary amenities to enjoy a visit to Bilbao.

Hotel Sheraton Bilbao

The Hotel Sheraton Bilbao, designed by architect Ricardo Legorreta, has its privileged location between the Congress Palace and the Palace of the Music Centre, and close to the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Maritime Museum. Furthermore, it is just 15 minutes from Airport Loiu.

The Sheraton Bilbao Hotel design is based on the work of Eduardo Chillida. Ricardo Legorreta not only dealt with the task of designing the hotel, but took part in the choice of materials to be built in each of the decorative elements.

Sheraton Bilbao Hotel offers a total of 211 rooms including 21 suites. The rooms feature the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper (SM), cable TV, ADSL, air conditioning, minibar and marble bathroom. The suites have a spa bath and plasma TV.

On the sixth floor have the spa, with stunning views of the estuary. It features a gym, sauna, massage and heated pool.

Sheraton's restaurant, Aizian, we can find the best chefs, making it a point of reference. It can enjoy the best of Basque cuisine, but also in the room, thanks to 24-hour service available.

One thing to mention is the contemporary art collection of Spanish ship models, spread across the hotel with the intention of giving it part of the story port of Bilbao.

Sheraton Bilbao Hotel Room

The ascent to Pagasarri Bilbao is an activity quite frequently, hence the Pagasarri road is well documented.

The following describes the ascent route to the mountain, with photographs to facilitate orientation:

The route starts in the San Adrián (Bilbao). We start from the Plaza Zabalburu, located near the train station and we are on the street Avenida Juan de Garay and San Adrian. At the end of the street we find the bridge from the image below:

Way up to Pagasarri: Building Iberdrola

Crossing over the bridge cross the highway, reaching Iberdrola building. At this point we leave the city to begin the ascent to Pagasarri. Go around the building to the right to take the road Larraskitu, a paved trail that runs through the neighborhood Larraskitu.

Way up to Pagasarri: Road Larraskitu

Continue about 300 meters down the track. We find a path that goes left. If we take this shortcut will we end up at the same track much later, while ensuring more spin. This step is optional, if we follow the track all the time we'll end up at the same point but take more.

Way up to Pagasarri: Shortcut

Continuing along the road, called Camino Pagasarri, we will come to the Athletic and Bar later with a picnic area and tables, along with a panel of the council with a map and information about the area.

Way up to Pagasarri: Road Pagasarri

If we continue down the road, we arrive at a point where a barrier prevents access to vehicles. It is the point where it begins the ascent to Mount and in which, typically, we will have taken about 45 minutes to get there. Highlight a road that goes to the left, just before the barrier, and that leads to the chapel of San Roque.

Way up to Pagasarri: Barrier Pagasarri

On the way up, we will find the Fountain of Zapaburu.

Way up to Pagasarri: Power Zapaburu

Later we came to a crossroads offers three routes to Pagasarri. The right path is the softest and offers spectacular views of Bilbao. The central route, begins with stairs and an information panel. Of the three routes, is the fastest (about 30 minutes) and the oldest, but also the most physically demanding. The left path instead is the longest and gives the greatest return, so it is the least they usually do.

Way up to Pagasarri: Cross in the Pagasarri

If we have chosen the old road to Pagasarri, by the way we find the source of the next picture. This way, toward the end, is attached to the left path. On the descent we must remember to properly take detours.

Way up to Pagasarri: Fountain in the ancient way Pagasarri

The path to the left and right end joining in the campaign of Pagasarri, under Mount Ganeta (685 meters).

Way up to Pagasarri: Pagasarri Campa

In the fields we find a bar

Way up to Pagasarri: Campa and bar Pagasarri

To finish up the top, climb a hill behind the bar.

Way up to Pagasarri: Pagasarri Bluff

Taking the road Pagasarri ancient, ascension round the hour and twenty minutes.

Monte Pagasarri (Bilbao)

The Pagasarri is one of two mountain formations that surround Bilbao (the other is Artxanda). Part of Ganekogorta massif, separating Bizkaia and Araba.

Etymologically, Pagasarri comes from the union of two words: To / Pagoa which means there, and sarri which means dense, dense. So the translation would Pagassari to indicate that the Pagasarri is a mountain covered by a thick blanket of beech.

The Pagasarri has 673 meters high and is very popular in Bilbao, mountain aficionando the older and younger thanks to the known paths of Pagasarri.

The weather in Bilbao is characterized, like the Basque climate in general, a large amount of rainfall. These rains are spread throughout the year, which does not have a summer especially "dry". This is evident when one considers that rainy days represent 45% of the year, not counting the 41% of the year is covered.

The rainiest months are those that take place between October and April (November being the most). Although rainfall has generally take place in the form of showers, are also common fine mists, which are called drizzle.

The proximity to the ocean makes both summer and winter have few temperature fluctuations. In summer the average maximum temperature ranges between 25 ° and 26 ° C, while winter minimum averages ranging between 6 ° and 7 ° C. In winter the snow does not usually come to fruition, however if hailing, with a total of about 10 days a year.

Below you can see the weather in Bilbao the day and the following (x) days:

Hotel Carlton (Bilbao)

Located in the Plaza Moyúa the Hotel Carlton, the first deluxe hotel that featured in Bilbao. Designed by the architect Manuel Maria Smith, was designed in 1919 and completed in 1926. Its design was based on the guidelines of the Second Empire style, with classical forms and traditional plants, but direct inspirations of famous hotels of the era: the porch and facade access Carlton London, and the windows of the lobby the Hotel Negresco in Nice. Also of note is the magnificent oval skylight lobby, second in Spain by size, after the of the Hotel Palace in Madrid.

Skylight Hotel Carlton (Bilbao)

In 1937, Carlton Hotel hosted the first Basque Government still retains the bomb shelter at the time. It is also used for official ceremonies and cultural Bilbao.

With a section of the building is the hotel and other offices, has a basement, basement, ground floor, five stories high and sixth floor recessed. They distributed a total of 142 rooms (250m2 imperial suite, five semi-suites, 21 superior rooms and 115 standard rooms), decorated in a classic style but with the latest technological advances.

Imperial Suite Hotel Carlton (Bilbao)

Fair of Santo Tomas (Bilbao)

The December 21 is celebrated Thomas Fair, with the preamble of christmas Bilbao. This day, traditional products baserris (settlements) are presented in Plaza Nueva and the Arenal.

The origin of this festival is the late nineteenth century, when the baserris tenants came to Bilbao Bizkaia to pay rents of farmhouses to their owners. The baserritarras, plus go to Bilbao with rents, took samples of their products baserris owners.

Women in these baserritarras took the initiative to accompany them on these trips and taking positions in the Old Town Square (next to San Anton) and in different parts of the Old Town and the Bank, offered these products for housewives Bilbao , for consumption at Christmas.

In 1945, following a BBK idea Arzeluz Felix Garcia, is responsible for shaping market this event and giving it a continuity that has been maintained until now.

In this way, the Market or Fair of Santo Tomas becomes a great way to try the products typical Basque, having also the possibility to adquirlos. Among them, a typical food of this event is the talo with chorizo, accompanied by a txacolí.

Enter the Cafe Iruña in Bilbao

Founded in 1903, the day of San Fermin, by an employer Navarro, Severo Unzue, is now part of the historical heritage of Bilbao, both for its aesthetic and to become a meeting place for society Bilbao, welcoming participants conversations with such luminaries as Ortega and Unamuno Maeztu. Located on the corner of Columbus and Berastegi Larreategi and the architect Joaquín Rucoba (author also of Arab room of City Hall), has a neo-Moorish style which highlights its interior tiles and murals.

The Café Iruña is currently maintaining his literary vocation, being home to a dozen cultural associations, which continue to use the center Café Iruña as holding their biggest events.

But despite their strong cultural role, it neglects the gastronomy. It has a daily menu that recalls that pianist Café Iruña composed in that place, in 1927, the Castilian version of the song "Good Menu". In fact, the lyrics of the song are available freely on a postcard in the same Café Iruña and offices of Bilbao Turismo (BIT).

Finally, a detail of the importance of this Coffee in Bilbao has been unique Monument in 1980 and in 2000 won the award for best Coffee in Spain.

Cafe Iruña (Bilbao)

Cafe Iruña (Bilbao)

Cafe Iruña (Bilbao)