Gran Vía
Not only the city's main thoroughfare and a popular meeting place, Gran Vía is also an important business and shopping district as many establishments including the Bank of Bilbao and the Civil Government office are located here. Gran Vía sits between Plaza Circular and Plaza Moyúa with a statue of Don Diego Lopéz de Haro (the city's founder) marking the starting point of this pleasant walkway.

Plaza Circular
Plaza Circular is surrounded by many large buildings of great import like banks and other financial institutions. From here, the road leads to Casco Viejo (Old Quarter) if you go down Navarra street. The opposite direction leads to Gran Vía.

Plaza de Miguel de Unamuno
The name of the place is a homage to Unamuno, a prominent Bilbao literature and philosophy whose birthplace can still be visited near the plaza. His statue is erected on top of a large column as a patron of the area where the air of the past and the present comingle. The square is turned into a popular venue for concerts and other activities during festivals.

Plaza Moyúa
Also known as Plaza Elíptica, the square's location divides the Gran Vía in half. The square was dismantled in 1990 as the need for metro building works necessitated, but was re-opened in 1997 with the same astounding style of French Gardens intact. There are many quality boutiques and government offices to be found here.

Plaza Nueva
Plaza Nueva is perhaps the city's most popular meeting place as the bars and cafeterias here are always energetic with lively atmosphere. This is also the place where Mercado Rural de Santo Tomás, the most exciting traditional market held every December 21st, take place.

Casco Viejo
Situated on the right bank of the Nervión river, Casco Viejo or the old quarter is an ideal stop for every barhopper as arrays of stylish nightclubs and restaurants plaster the streets. Accommodation in this area is also much more idyllic than the new blocks in town. Casco Viejo is an outstanding landmark where old-style buildings proudly withstand the erosion of time.

Parque de Doña Casilda
The Doña Casilda park is situated alongside Gran Vía and it provides a peaceful getaway from the traffic-filled neighborhoods. The park was laid out between 1912-1920 along the lines of an English country house gardens with four ponds. The highly celebrated Museo de Ballas Artes is also nearby.

Catedral de Santiago
Constructed sometime during the 16th century, this cathedral with its persistent ancient facade can be considered to be the foundation stone of Bilbao. The Santiago Cathedral lies at the heart of the casco viejo's narrow streets which bulges with shops and bars as well as resident houses. From here the original 'seven streets' of early Bilbao lead down to the river, making this area an atmospheric place for taking a stroll or dining al fresco.

Guggenheim Museum
A product of collaboration between the Basque government and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, the architect Frank Gehry succeeded in delivering his free-form sculptural style to this museum whose outrageous exterior is acclaimed by architectures the world over. It also serves as a trademark of modern Bilbao that draws visitors from around the world to the city. The galleries inside swell with works by contemporary artists as well as the classics such as Picasso, Kandinsky, Cezanne and more.

Museo de Bellas Artes
Bilbao's Museo de Bellas Artes may not be as playful and heady as the Guggenheim Museum from the look on the outside, but this museum can be counted upon for a larger collection of noteworthy artistic pieces. The museum houses paintings and sculptures Bilbao has procured from the 12th to 20th century, including works by El Greco, Goya and Velazquez.

Museo a Euska/Museo Vasco
Visitors who are interested to learn about the history and culture of the Basque Country are highly encouraged to visit Museu Vasco which is located in the heart of Casco Viejo. The museum depicts Basque culture, history and ethnology, and its exhibits cover a wide range of interests including weaving, the blacksmith trade, pastoral life and maritime matters.