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Historic neighborhood · Bilbao, Basque Country
Casco Viejo de Bilbao
Medieval center of Bilbao on the right bank of the ria, with the Siete Calles, the Plaza Nueva with neoclassical arcades, and dozens of pintxos bars.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Casco Viejo de Bilbao
Casco Viejo is the oldest part of Bilbao, founded in 1300 by charter of the lord of Biscay, Diego López de Haro, on a bend of the ria do Nervión. The original core is the Siete Calles, seven parallel streets that descended to the river: Somera, Artekale, Tendería, Belostikale, Carnicería Vieja, Barrenkale and Barrenkale Barrena.
The narrow streets have three- to five-storey houses with iron balconies and glazed windows, traditional shops, stores selling Basque products and bars. In the center stands the Catedral de Santiago, and at the tip by the ria are the Mercado de la Ribera and the church of San Antón, which appears on the city's coat of arms.
Plaza Nueva, completed in 1851, is a neoclassical square enclosed by arcades, home to some of the most sought-after pintxos bars and, on Sunday mornings, a small market for stamps, coins and books. Nearby are the Teatro Arriaga, from 1890, and La Concordia station, with a modernist façade.
The neighborhood was heavily affected by the 1983 flood and was restored; water level marks still appear on some façades.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
2 to 3 hours, with a stop for pintxos.
Best time
In the morning for the shops and the market; in the evening, from 7:00 PM, for the pintxos route. On Sunday mornings, Plaza Nueva hosts a collectors' market.
How to get there
It is on the right bank of the ria, a 10-minute walk from Abando station via the Puente del Arenal. The Casco Viejo metro station is on Plaza Unamuno, at the top of the neighborhood.
Tip
Do the pintxos route beginning at Plaza Nueva and continuing along the streets Santa María and Jardines. Order one pintxo and one drink per bar. Many bars close their kitchens early on Sunday night.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Casco Viejo de Bilbao
What are the Siete Calles?
The seven parallel streets that formed the medieval core of Bilbao, in the Casco Viejo, beside the estuary.
Where to eat pintxos in the Casco Viejo?
At Plaza Nueva and on Santa María, Jardines and Perro streets, with dozens of bar counters.
How do you reach the Casco Viejo by metro?
Casco Viejo station is at Plaza Unamuno, at the top of the neighborhood. From Abando station you can also walk there in 10 minutes.