Bilbao: Origins to Renewal

In this walking tour through Bilbao, your host, a local with expertise in art and architecture, will introduce you to the city, making sure you understand the essential historical and cultural context, while providing insight into the city’s unique blend of architectural styles. You’ll pass through the city’s main central quarters and see how the medieval layout gave way to 19th- and 20th-century developments, before arriving at the high modernism of the 21st century. You’ll witness how eclectic this city is — where Art Deco sits next to the so-called ‘High-Tech’ architecture of Norman Foster, among others. You'll also visit the Cathedral, the region’s most impressive Gothic structure. Discover how the city has transformed from a mining town into a hub known for its galleries and contemporary architecture. Your host will take you to independent showrooms and galleries that visitors wouldn’t usually come across, and you’ll stop for classic pintxos and drinks at emblematic locations.

Bilbao is perfect for travelers looking for cultural exploration. Few cities can, like Bilbao does, boast more than ten buildings by Pritzker Architecture Prize winners. Its 21st-century urban renewal — led by architecture, transit, and design — has become a global model. Your host is a Bilbaína who has been exploring the city with locals and travelers alike for many years, and was directly involved in the process of its urban redevelopment. Having written a thesis on Basque cinema, being a long-term student of architecture and art, and embedded in the local cultural scene, M'Angel is the perfect person to show you the cultural and creative side of this city. Always on the hunt for good food and drink spots, she'll make sure you taste as well as see the best of what Bilbao and the Basque Country have to offer. There's few better ways to be introduced to the city and its cultural heritage, the creative side of the city that most travelers will often miss, and be made to feel at home.

M'Angel creates experiences that delve deep into Bilbao’s urban renewal and explore the dynamic landscapes and diverse heritage of Euskadi, enriched by academic insight and local expertise. She's passionate about cultural heritage, wrote her thesis on Basque cinema, studied art and film in England, and completed a master’s degree in Brussels. In 2020, she contributed to scenario design for the Bilbao Urban Regeneration Process. She enjoys sharing her love of art, architecture, Basque culture, and the Guggenheim effect, among other interests. Alongside being a local host, M'Angel participates in cultural events and discovering new culinary and outdoor experiences.

Comfortable walking shoes.