Over the years Bilbao has transformed from an industrial port to a cultural and gastronomic hub. It also has a wealth of historical landmarks for visitors to explore. The Essential Free Tour Bilbao has been designed with this in mind to make sure that it covers all the key historical and cultural landmarks as well as offers guests on the tour the opportunity to uncover some of its best-kept secrets. Most tours will begin around the jewel in Bilbao’s crown the iconic Guggenheim Museum. This stunning Frank Gehry-designed building houses a wealth of contemporary art inside and outside including works by Louise Bourgeois and Jeff Koons. Here, your guide will tell the group about the museum's conception and how it came to be built in Bilbao.

From here guests on the Essential Free Tour Bilbao will be taken on a stroll along the riverside stopping off at the Zubizuri Footbridge. Here they will be able to take some amazing photos of the stunning river views and of the cool street art located under it. Following this, guests will navigate their way through the charming roads of the old town to the ornate Plaza Nueva, the heart of the city, which is home to the Royal Academy of the Basque Language and several quaint taverns. It has also been the scene of many protests and demonstrations through the years. A short walk away guests will find the gloriously gothic Santiago Cathedral one of the main religious sites of the city which has been standing since the 15th century.

Bilbao has a number of excellent museums; on the Essential Free Tour route guests will find the popular Museum of Archaeology and the Basque Museum. The latter is located in the cloisters of an old Jesuit college and gives visitors a fascinating insight into the Basque culture. One of the highlights of the tour is a trip to the Ribera Market where guests will have the chance to immerse themselves in Bilbao’s hip food scene and try some mouthwatering pintxos. During the tour please do not hesitate to ask your guide as many questions as you like. And, of course, all participants will come away with a host of recommendations and tips for the best places to eat and where to enjoy Bilbao’s buzzing nightlife.