Bilbao is tucked into a landscape of rolling green hills just moments from the picturesque coastline. It's a place of contrasting styles – from steely multi-layered structures and attractive riverside promenades, to the antiquated abodes of its past. The most striking of these is the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which houses an enlightening array of artworks, and sits behind its curvaceous facade, clad in gleaming titanium.
Culture vultures will find no shortage of treats here, with more art at the Museo de Bellas Artes, performances at the Euskalduna Palace, and history at the Euskal Museoa. A must-do while in town is to try the local tapas, known as pintxos.