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In Bilbao, the Nervión estuary embraces the purely Basque identity and culture alongside international contemporary icons like the Guggenheim Museum. Character, authenticity, and innovation coexist in one of the world’s cities where cosmopolitanism and tradition converge.

Discover Local - Bilbao - EN

The mountain of reference for the people of Bilbao since the 19th century, Artxanda, is connected to the centre of Bilbao by a funicular railway that travels to its summit. A park, a picturesque hotel, restaurants and even a sports complex are located at a height of over two hundred metres. The idea of building a railway to the top was first proposed in 1901, but the project was not completed until 1915. Affected by the bombings of the Civil War, the funicular reopened in 1938 and remains open to this day. Are you going to miss the chance to taste a txakolin at the top of Artxanda?

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 📍The entrance to the funicular is located next to the Guggenheim Museum.

 🕗 In winter, the funicular opens at 7:00 am and closes at 10:00 pm, and in summer it closes at 11:00 pm. Check the timetables and fares available at[ ](https://funicularartxanda.bilbao.eus/horarios-y-tarifas/)__<https://funicularartxanda.bilbao.eus/horarios-y-tarifas/](https://funicularartxanda.bilbao.eus/horarios-y-tarifas/)__.

 💰An occasional trip costs just over two euros, and don't forget that you can also walk back to the city and enjoy the route.

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Connecting Artxanda since the 19th Century

Stamps, paintings, coins, old magazines, minerals, books and the odd decorative object fill the stalls of the Sunday street market in Plaza Nueva in Bilbao. A lively space where you can get to know the real atmosphere of the city, which attracts enthusiasts and collectors every week. It has also become a favourite place for children to exchange stickers.

📍It is located in the heart of the old quarter of Bilbao and the Plaza Nueva is considered an Asset of Cultural Interest.

🗓It is open every Sunday and public holiday from 10:00 to 14:00.

🍽Plaza Nueva is one of the best places to eat pintxos in the city, so take the opportunity to grab a bite to eat when you go 😉

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Plaza Nueva Trail

Wine with a taste of the sea. It seems impossible, but Plentzia Bay hides the world’s first underwater winery, where research and production of wine with maritime influences have been ongoing for ten years. That’s what Crusoe Treasure is all about—a winery committed to seeking out unique vineyards to craft unparalleled flavours. From May to Septem-ber, their boat leaves the dock to conduct tastings right in the estuary. An oenotourism experience as special as the underwater wine itself, if not more so.

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🚶🏻‍♂️The cruise aboard the Crusoe Treasure lasts 40 minutes and travels through Plentzia Bay.

💳It is necessary to present ID for security and alcohol consumption purposes.

🕗The schedule varies depending on the tides of the estuary.

There´s a winery at the bottom of the sea

The Nervión estuary splits Bilbao into two halves: on one side is the old quarter with the old quarter and the historic city centre and, on the other, the Ensanche, representative of progress and modernity. Two opposing and complementary halves which, for thousands of years, have been joined together thanks to the bridges. A tip for the more adventurous and those with a more flexible timetable: take the boat that takes you to the mouth of the Ibaizabal estuary. From there you will be able to see the bridge of bridges: the Vizcaya Bridge. A World Heritage Site since 2006, it is considered by UNESCO to be the perfect combination of beauty and functionality, an architectural marvel of the Industrial Revolution.

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🌉 The suspension bridge was inaugurated in 1893, the first of its kind in the world and one of the few remaining today.

🔗 It links links the town of Portugalete with the district of Las Arenas, as well as the two banks of the city's estuary.

😲 At 61 metres high and 160 metres long, it is impossible not to gawp at the sight of it.

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The bridge linking the two Bilbaos

There’s a place in Bilbao that embodies the union of tradition and innovation like no other. And it’s not the Guggenheim. We’re talking about Emilia and her Epelde & Mardaras gallery/restaurant. The proposition couldn’t be more enticing or more Bilbao-esque: devouring a hearty homemade stew in Emilia’s dining room and wandering through the halls and rooms of a 19th-century palace admiring works by artists like Goenaga or Zuriarrain. Of course, Emilia will guide you through her halls—af- ter all, they’re hers—so don’t go wandering off on your own.

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📍Epelde & Mardaras is located at Calle Jardines, 10.

🍽The menu includes a starter, a main course, and a dessert with an average price of 55 euros per person.

🙎🏻‍♀️Emilia carefully selects her products daily from the Mercado de la Ribera, and her menu changes regularly.

Homemade stew at Emilia´s gallery/restaurant

A stroll among viewpoints is perfect for lovers, lonely souls, or anyone looking to blend scenery with metaphysical doubts. If any of these options fit you, and even if they don’t, the wooden walkway that connects the Artxanda viewpoint with Enekuri through Bilbao’s “green ring” is a must-visit to enjoy the best landscape and nature in a very accessible way.

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🤳Along the way, there are two panoramic viewpoints with glass fronts.

🚶🏻‍♂️The pedestrian walkway is part of the Artxanda Activation Plan.

💡The walkway is made of wood and equipped with lighting.

Discover Local - Bilbao - EN

Homemade stew at Emilia´s gallery/restaurant

There´s a winery at the bottom of the sea

Bilbao from the heights

Connecting Artxanda since the 19th Century

The bridge linking the two Bilbaos

Plaza Nueva Trail