Bilbao Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Bilbao, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain)

Bilbao has long been a major destination for visitors and attracts a regular influx of tourists throughout the year, with a good travel network and infrastructure. Much of city life in Bilbao is based around the city's Deusto University and tourism trade, and Bilbao has provided a number of fairly new and truly outstanding attractions, including the Museo Guggenheim (Guggenheim Museum), a spectacular art gallery which was opened in 1997.

Founded in 1300, Bilbao is also home to a wealth of historical sights, with many spacious plazas surrounded by historical buildings, monuments, shops and restaurants. The main squares in Bilbao include the Plaza Circular, the Plaza Moyua, the Plaza Nueva, the Plaza de Miguel de Unamuno and the Plaza Ernesto Erkoreka - where you will find the impressive Ayuntamiento de Bilbao (City Hall), which dates back to the late 19th century.

Tourism and Tourist Information (Oficinas de Turismo)

A number of notable tourist information offices and useful kiosks can be found in and around the city of Bilbao, with the main bureau being located on the Paseo del Arenal. Providing a wealth of travel tips, attractions leaflets and brochures, accommodation advice and maps of Bilbao, a popular tourist information kiosk can be found alongside the famous Guggenheim Museum.

Bilbao Tourist Office
Address: Paseo del Arenal 1, Bilbao, Spain
Tel: +34 944 795 760
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 19:30, Saturday - 09:00 to 14:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 14:00

Language

Spanish is the third most widely spoken language in the world, following Chinese and English. Although Spanish is the main language in Bilbao, English, French and German are often spoken and understood at most attractions, museums, hotels and restaurants that cater for visitors. Castilian Spanish is the official language in the area, but in the regions, Basque, Catalan and Galician are spoken. In smaller towns and villages a phrase book is a useful item to carry.

Tipping

Tipping is quite discretionary in Bilbao, with taxi drivers in Bilbao usually being given a 5 to 10% gratuity or similar, although this is by no means obligatory. Bilbao's restaurants always include service charges by law and these should be clearly shown on the menus, although a small tip will is always greatly appreciated. Hotel staff, such as luggage handlers, happily accept a tip of just one or two Euros. Generally, no other public service workers in the city of Bilbao expect to be tipped. It is advisable to always pay tips in cash, to ensure that the person it is intended for receives it fully.

Places of Worship

The national religion of Bilbao and throughout Spain is Roman Catholic, although many other faiths and major religions are also represented in Bilbao, including Protestants and Muslims. There are a large number of churches that welcome visitors and these have a fairly formal dress code, i.e. no shorts.

Smoking

In many of Bilbao's public buildings, places of work, restaurants and on all modes of public transport, rules now restrict smoking and this is strictly enforced, with hefty fines for those caught breaking this law. Spanish legislation makes it illegal to smoke in many public places in Bilbao and in general, the rights of non-smokers now prevail over those of the smoker. Many bars in Bilbao offer designated smoking areas, rooms or gardens, with both locals and visitors in Bilbao often choosing to simply only smoke when outdoors. When in Bilbao, the best advice would be not to smoke unless others around you are already smoking.

Tips for Using the Euro

The Euro is made up of eight coins and seven paper notes and was introduced on January 1, 2002. The 12 original members of the European Union - Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain - planned the event for many years in advance, deciding upon a specific conversion rate for each country's national currency. The colourful Euro bills, which include holograms and shades of green, yellow, blue, mauve, and orange, are identical throughout Europe. Coins have one common and one national side, but they can be used in any of the member countries, regardless of the country of issue. Old currencies are no longer accepted as legal tender, although major banks will happily convert them into Euros.

Telephones and Emergency Numbers

• Emergencies in Bilbao - for police dial 091 (national) or 092 (local)
• For fire emergencies in Bilbao - dial 080 or 085 and for an ambulance dial 409 5530
• To call from one city code to another in Bilbao- first dial '0' followed by the Spanish city code and the main telephone number

Safety

One of the biggest security threats in Bilbao are bag snatchers and pickpockets, who have become very skilled and fast. Always be conscious of handbags, money and luggage in Bilbao, wearing bags and cameras across your body, and consider using a concealed money belt.

Taxes

VAT (IVA) is always included in the price and refunds are unusual in Bilbao and throughout Spain. Tourists visiting Bilbao from countries outside of the EU can sometimes claim a refund on tax if the item was purchased for personal use and costs more than a certain amount. Ask the shopkeeper for details.