Here’s a detailed 7-day itinerary for exploring Bilbao, Spain, and its surroundings, including historical monuments, gardens, nature spots, shopping, and gastronomy, with recommendations for nearly free accommodation and dining options.
### Day 1: Discovering Bilbao
- **06:00 - 08:00**: Breakfast at **Café Iruńa**, a historic café to start your day.
- **08:30 - 12:00**: Visit the **Guggenheim Museum**, famous for its contemporary art and iconic architecture.
- **12:00 - 13:30**: Lunch at **Bistró Guggenheim Bilbao**, offering delicious dishes at reasonable prices.
- **14:00 - 16:00**: Explore the old town, **Casco Viejo**, with its narrow streets, artisan shops, and the **Plaza Nueva**.
- **16:30 - 18:00**: Stroll along the **Ría de Bilbao** and admire the city's modern bridges.
- **19:00 - 21:00**: Dinner at **Restaurante La Vina del Ensanche**, known for its tapas and Basque dishes at affordable prices.
- **21:30 - 22:00**: Enjoy the evening at a tapas bar like **Gure Toki**.
### Day 2: Culture and History
- **06:00 - 08:00**: Breakfast at **Café Bar Bilbao**, with a pleasant local atmosphere.
- **08:30 - 12:00**: Visit the **Bilbao Fine Arts Museum**, which features a wide collection of Spanish and international art.
- **12:00 - 13:30**: Lunch at **Restaurante Café Bar Bilbao**, offering authentic Basque cuisine.
- **14:00 - 16:00**: Explore the **Palace of the Diputación Foral de Bizkaia**, a historic building with impressive architecture.
- **16:30 - 18:00**: Walk through **Parque de Dońa Casilda**, a lovely green space with gardens and a lake.
- **19:00 - 21:00**: Dinner at **Restaurante Mina**, known for its gastronomic cuisine at reasonable prices.
- **21:30 - 22:00**: Evening at a cocktail bar like **The Oak**.
### Day 3: Excursion to Getxo and Beaches
- **06:00 - 08:00**: Breakfast at the hotel or a local café.
- **08:30 - 12:00**: Take a train to **Getxo**, a coastal town near Bilbao. Explore the **Puerto Viejo** and nearby beaches.
- **12:00 - 13:30**: Lunch at **Restaurante La Canasta**, offering seafood dishes at moderate prices.
- **14:00 - 16:00**: Walk along **Playa de Arrigunaga** and enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery.
- **16:30 - 18:00**: Visit the **Bizkaia Bridge**, a historic bridge listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- **19:00 - 21:00**: Return to Bilbao and have dinner at **Restaurante El Merca**, with traditional Basque dishes at affordable prices.
- **21:30 - 22:00**: Relax in a local bar like **Hermanos**.
### Day 4: Nature and Exploration
- **06:00 - 08:00**: Breakfast at the hotel or a local café.
- **08:30 - 12:00**: Explore **Mount Artxanda**. Take the funicular to the top for panoramic views of Bilbao.
- **12:00 - 13:30**: Lunch at **Restaurante El Viejo Zortzi**, offering Basque cuisine with a city view.
- **14:00 - 16:00**: Visit the **Bilbao Botanical Garden**, a green space with a variety of local and exotic plants.
- **16:30 - 18:00**: Walk through **Parque de la Ciudadela**, a large park with trails and green spaces.
- **19:00 - 21:00**: Dinner at **Restaurante La Olla**, known for its Basque dishes at moderate prices.
- **21:30 - 22:00**: Evening at a local bar like **Café Iruńa**.
### Day 5: Excursion to San Sebastián
- **06:00 - 08:00**: Breakfast at the hotel or a local café.
- **08:30 - 10:00**: Take a bus to **San Sebastián**. Explore the **Old Town** and **La Concha Beach**.
- **10:00 - 12:00**: Visit the **San Telmo Museoa**, a museum dedicated to Basque culture.
- **12:00 - 13:30**: Lunch at **Restaurante Bodegón Alejandro**, known for its pintxos.
- **14:00 - 16:00**: Walk through **Cristina Enea Park**, a pleasant green space.
- **16:30 - 18:00**: Relax on **Zurriola Beach**.
- **19:00 - 21:00**: Return to Bilbao and have dinner at **Restaurante Zazpi**, offering local dishes at affordable prices.
- **21:30 - 22:00**: Evening at a local bar like **Dando la Nota**.
### Day 6: Art and Culture
- **06:00 - 08:00**: Breakfast at the hotel or a local café.
- **08:30 - 12:00**: Visit the **Maritime Museum of Bilbao**, featuring exhibits on the region's maritime history.
- **12:00 - 13:30**: Lunch at **Restaurante Bar Restaurante**, with Basque cuisine at reasonable prices.
- **14:00 - 16:00**: Explore the **Museo Vasco**, dedicated to Basque culture and history.
- **16:30 - 18:00**: Walk through **Parque de la Ribera**, located along the river.
- **19:00 - 21:00**: Dinner at **Restaurante La Vina del Ensanche**, known for its tapas at affordable prices.
- **21:30 - 22:00**: Evening at a wine bar like **Vino Vino**.
### Day 7: Final Discoveries and Departure
- **06:00 - 08:00**: Breakfast at the hotel or a local café.
- **08:30 - 12:00**: Visit the **Euskalduna Palace**, a conference and exhibition center with remarkable architecture.
- **12:00 - 13:30**: Lunch at **Restaurante La Brasa**, offering Basque cuisine at reasonable prices.
- **14:00 - 16:00**: Take a final tour of **Casco Viejo** for last-minute shopping and souvenirs.
- **16:30 - 18:00**: Enjoy a peaceful walk in the streets of Bilbao or a local park.
- **19:00 - 21:00**: Farewell dinner at **Restaurante Bistró Bilbao**, with local dishes at affordable prices.
- **21:30 - 22:00**: Prepare for departure or enjoy a final evening at a local bar.
### Budget-Friendly Accommodation
- **Hotel Bilbao Jardines** – An economical accommodation option with a good location near the city center.
- **Pensión Manolo** – Offering simple yet comfortable rooms at affordable rates.
### Affordable Restaurants
- **Café Iruńa** (Bilbao)
- **Restaurante La Vina del Ensanche** (Bilbao)
- **Bistró Guggenheim Bilbao** (Bilbao)
- **Restaurante El Merca** (Bilbao)
- **Restaurante El Viejo Zortzi** (Bilbao)
- **Restaurante La Olla** (Bilbao)
- **Restaurante Zazpi** (Bilbao)
- **Restaurante Bodegón Alejandro** (San Sebastián)
- **Restaurante Bistró Bilbao** (Bilbao)
- **Restaurante Bar Restaurante** (Bilbao)
This itinerary will allow you to explore the various aspects of Bilbao, enjoying culture, nature, shopping, and gastronomy, while keeping to a reasonable budget. Enjoy your trip!
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