Where to go in Bilbao, Spain

[cgoodrich]

Hello fellow BOTL & SOTL,
I have a close work friend who is heading to Bilbao for training. I would love if any of you fellow members have any suggestions for good places to dine, where to hunt for CC’s as he’s agreed to bring some back or ship from there, and interesting spots to see.

Thank you in advance!

[Ken Gargett]

2 hours ago, cgoodrich said:

Hello fellow BOTL & SOTL,
I have a close work friend who is heading to Bilbao for training. I would love if any of you fellow members have any suggestions for good places to dine, where to hunt for CC’s as he’s agreed to bring some back or ship from there, and interesting spots to see.

Thank you in advance!

i have always found it one of the least interesting spanish cities. a few trips back, really tried hard. spent some time there. some okay restaurants but they just love cod - personally, i find cod one of the least flavoursome fish in the sea (and before i get a heap of emails with suggestions, trust me, i have tried and tried - all sorts of different dishes, all types of restaurants). there was no place i walked away from thinking i must go back (which is not to say there are not some now - it was a little while ago). if your friend likes cod, he'll be happy. 

the bilboa guggenheim is a brilliant building but for me, the building is of far more interest than the contents. museums and galleries in madrid and barca and other places leave it for dead.

so i suspect i am of no assistance. 

 

[cgoodrich]

Thank you for trying Ken. At least I know not to serve you Cod…😂

[PuroDiario]

Old town is fun for canas y pinchos. Try Kalimotxo, red wine and coke, or have cañas or txakoli. Whatever works.

On Bacalao (cod), (suggest visiting Ultramarinos  Gregorio Martin to learn about more Bacalao, and please send some pics and notes to @Ken Gargett) , allow me to recommend Bacalao a la Vizcaína (salt cured cod in pisto sauce, local Bizkaya recipe) and Bacalao al Pil Pil (same fish in an emulsion of garlic). Both phenomenal. 
Try kokotxas de Merluza, turbot, Dover sole, etc…Beef is great everywhere in that province, lots of places to eat. Have a Carolina for dessert.
Pinchos and drinks tour in Calle Ledesma is generally fun. Go to Globo and order the txangurro one (Spider crab w bechamel which is typical in Basque Country), then go to Anden de la Viña (all great). Old town has a lot of places too with a very local vibe fun too (there are 7 streets where all happens, just google)

Good places to eat and drink: 

bilbao/getxo: Tamarises Izarra, La oficina STZ, Aspaldiko, Asador Taskas (Grilled Beef and Seafood), Ola (Martin Berasategui), Taska Beltz, Bar Rotterdam, Lar, Nido, Mugarra, Txakoli Simon, Mercado la Rivera (good visit too)
Short drive: Casa de Marinos Uribe Kosta, Begoña Gorliz.

Two univerity friends moved there and run a river boat tour business and a couple of bars, can connect. 
 

overall not the most picturesque place other than Guggenheim and some other things  but post industrial cool, money flows in the local economy, young professionals stay…so it is lively and fun (rains a lot like in the rest of the north).

visits: 
Playa La Salvaje, Lequito is a beautiful coast little village lively in the summer.

catcj a Game in San Mamés 

Catedral de Santiago, Guggenheim (I don’t love the art in general they show case but depends on what you catch), Iglesia de San Nicolas carries the emblem of the city, puente colgante de Portugalete… 

asbolute must drive to Getaria (Balenciaga original background, not French for people into this stuff). And enjoy all the charcoal grills by the water. It’s a small fisherman’s village where the best Txakolina vines are combining sun exposure, slope, soil type and proximity to the sea. I like having Turbot and Beef when in Getaria. Many good places there you won’t miss. 

If you are into Game of Thrones visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe which is the castle of the dragons family in the show I believe. Fairly cool regardless of the show. 
 

you have other surf towns and things to do but with the above you can start your planning. 
 

enjoy and send pictures. 

[cgoodrich]

@PuroDiario, thank you so much!!! This makes me want to go myself, and now I’ll be jealous my friend gets to go. I really appreciate your time to respond in such detail.

One last question. Any recommendations on possible trustworthy locations to get Cuban cigars? He agreed to bring some back to me. Thank you in advance so very much.

Chris

[PuroDiario]

Just google estancos bilbao, get the list, plot the map and perhaps call. When I go is for a day or two max, not often and I don’t buy there. But all major cities in Spain have famous/reputable local estancos. 

[Ryan]

Cava Estanco No. 1 Iñigo

Paseo Urgoti 45 Estanco No. 1, Bizkaia

Iñigo Urrejola is probably the most knowledgeable retailer for Cuban cigars in the Bilbao area. A little bit out of town but an easy taxi ride. He doesn't have great English.

Ruth de la Ka in Estanco Neguri, Getxo is very nice and has just about fluent English. She won't have the depth of stock that Iñigo has though.

 

Near the Guggenheim, Estanco Alis will have a better chance of stock than Estanco Urquijo.

A search for "Cava de puros, Bilbao", will give you map of the estancos that have a cigar humidor.

 

Do visit the Guggenheim. The outside is very impressive as Ken says. Personally, I think the Richard Serra sculptures inside are worth a couple of hours.

There's a little pintxo place on Plaza Nueva that's very decent for a light meal and good people watching. Sorginzulo. Get there for lunch or early for dinner, 8pm. Bilbao closes earlier for food than much of Spain. I had a plate of manchego with fig jam and roasted walnuts there that was memorable.

[cgoodrich]

2 hours ago, Ryan said:

Cava Estanco No. 1 Iñigo

Paseo Urgoti 45 Estanco No. 1, Bizkaia

Iñigo Urrejola is probably the most knowledgeable retailer for Cuban cigars in the Bilbao area. A little bit out of town but an easy taxi ride. He doesn't have great English.

Ruth de la Ka in Estanco Neguri, Getxo is very nice and has just about fluent English. She won't have the depth of stock that Iñigo has though.

 

Near the Guggenheim, Estanco Alis will have a better chance of stock than Estanco Urquijo.

A search for "Cava de puros, Bilbao", will give you map of the estancos that have a cigar humidor.

 

Do visit the Guggenheim. The outside is very impressive as Ken says. Personally, I think the Richard Serra sculptures inside are worth a couple of hours.

There's a little pintxo place on Plaza Nueva that's very decent for a light meal and good people watching. Sorginzulo. Get there for lunch or early for dinner, 8pm. Bilbao closes earlier for food than much of Spain. I had a plate of manchego with fig jam and roasted walnuts there that was memorable.

Thank you @Ryan!