schön! selects | bilbao city guide

Serving the perfect combination of green hills and Atlantic breeze, Bilbao is the off-beat Spanish destination that everyone’s summering in, where nonchalance meets avant-garde elegance. Once known for its steel and shipyards, this Basque city has reinvented itself as a vibrant cultural hub, where bold architecture, Michelin-starred dining, and contemporary art live side by side harmoniously.

From sipping txakoli by the river to gallery-hopping through cutting-edge design spaces, Bilbao has an irreplaceable old town charm. Whether you’re drawn by the shimmering curves of the Guggenheim or the scent of pintxos drifting from stone-paved streets, this hidden gem proves that reinvention is an art in itself.


Where To Stay

The Artist Grand Hotel of Art

Tucked in the leafy avenues of Bilbao’s Abando district, The Artist Hotel is a vibrant masterpiece to the city’s sleek Guggenheim contours. Each of its 67 rooms is a mini-gallery, boasting locally commissioned art and playful, chromatic palettes that pulse with Basque creativity. You won’t find the usual black, white and beige from quiet luxury aesthetic hotels, but expect eclectic details like wooden floors in the rooms, elegant murals, retro orange furnishings, and thoughtful flourishes — from terrazzo tables to a 26-meter-high sculpture in the atrium—  that make one feel like living in an art museum. 

The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows boasting views of the Guggenheim museum — even from the bathtub. Walls are adorned with modern prints, floors with patterned carpets bringing a playful flair balanced by cosy wool throws and rich textiles. Everything is thoughtfully appointed: plush double beds, blackout curtains for restorative sleep, and mood lighting that transitions from energising morning brightness to soft evening ambience. Small surprises—a terrazzo bedside table, curated art books, high-end tea and coffee kit—amplify the feeling of a stylish retreat.

Despite its design-forward style, the hotel maintains a welcoming, intimate feel: a cosy lobby lounge stocked with fashion books and playlists, a secret garden patio, and a rooftop terrace for breakfast with a view of the entire city, where friendly staff remember your coffee preferences. 

Radisson Collection Hotel, Gran Via Bilbao

Located in the shopping district of Bilbao’s Gran Vía, right next to the Primark store, the five-star Radisson Collection Hotel sits within a beautifully restored mid-century former bank building, blending modern elegance with architectural charm. The hotel offers 137 spacious rooms and suites, designed in warm earth tones with marble and wood accents. Expect blackout curtains, piped air-conditioning, gold finish taps, and pillow menus that make winding down effortless.

Guests love its central location—a short walk to the Old Town—as well as its sleek, understated interiors. Dining is a standout here: Eneko Basque Bilbao, led by Michelin-starred chef Eneko Atxa, serves a refined take on local cuisine. The rooftop speakeasy bar, surrounded by vertical gardens and city views, is a hidden gem for sunset cocktails.

With a spa, indoor pool, fitness centre, and a concierge team that knows the city inside out, the Radisson Collection is a polished and luxurious base for exploring Bilbao.


Where to Eat

Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao

Tucked inside the iconic Guggenheim Museum, Nerua is where art and gastronomy meet to create Bilbao’s most refined culinary experiences. Led by renowned chef Josean Alija, the Michelin-starred restaurant is known for its minimalist aesthetic, both on the plate and the vibe — white linen table cloths in a light-filled, quiet dining room that overlooks the Nervión River. Nerua’s tasting menus are rooted in seasonal Basque ingredients — think line-caught hake, saffron sea bass, wild mushrooms, and delicate baby squid, all elevated with masterful precision.

The service is thoughtful and unfussy — “I swear you could hear a hair pin drop” in Taylor Swift’s words — allowing the food’s quiet complexity to speak for itself. Wine pairings are meticulously selected, and there’s also an à la carte option for a more flexible experience. For those seeking something truly memorable, request a terrace table and watch the light shift over the water. Nerua offers a sensory journey that mirrors the city’s blend of innovation and deep cultural heritage — understated, elegant, and unforgettable.

Olio

Nestled within The Artist Hotel, Olio offers an intimate and stylish dining experience that reflects the hotel’s artistic flair. With seating for around twenty guests, the restaurant’s pared-back decor—neutral tones, soft lighting, and locally sourced artwork—creates a calm yet intimate backdrop to Basque-inspired dishes. Olio specializes in seasonal small plates designed for sharing, highlighting fresh, regionally sourced produce like Cantabrian anchovies, smoked piquillo peppers, wild mushrooms, and tender local lamb. Each dish is thoughtfully paired with natural wines from nearby Rioja and Navarra, creating harmony between food and drink.

Service here strikes the perfect balance between friendly and discreet, giving the evening an unhurried, relaxed pace. Men can be seen playing cards on one corner while in another corner, a woman silently reads her book and enjoys eating amid soft jazz, and the warm glow of candlelight that infuses a sense of casual sophistication. For hotel guests and locals alike, Olio is a hidden gem—creative, personal, and quietly luxe.


Things to Do 

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Even if it is for just one day, the only museum stop to make is Barbara Kruger’s Another Day Another Night at the Guggenheim. Known for her sharp text overlays and confrontational use of “you,” Kruger is back with a bang—this time with immersive video, LED walls, and digital projections that pull her signature feminist critique into the hyper-online present. This immersive exhibition interrogates the mechanisms of modern media, our collective gaze, and the tension between public and private identity. It’s powerful, timely, and in dialogue with Bilbao’s own transformations.

Inside, the gallery spaces are as much a part of the experience as the monumental works gracing them, seamlessly blending architecture, nature, and art. Must-sees include Jeff Koons’s reflective Puppy outside and Richard Serra’s imposing steel sculptures within.

The museum also hosts rotating contemporary shows, curated talks, and guided tours. After exploring the galleries, take time to stroll along the riverbank or enjoy a drink on the terrace overlooking Frank Gehry’s curves—an essential blend of visual wonder and architectural delight.

Hike up to Mount Artxanda

For panoramic views over Bilbao, a hike up Mount Artxanda offers the perfect mix of nature, history, and urban charm. The trail begins near the Zubizuri footbridge and winds through quiet forested paths and steep staircases. There are also many escalators and travelators along the route, rewarding walkers with sweeping vistas of the city’s rooftops, the Nervión River, and the shimmering curves of the Guggenheim.

Though you can take the funicular up, hiking gives you a deeper sense of the city’s geography—and makes the view all the more satisfying. At the summit, you’ll find leafy parks, local cafés, and a charming lookout promenade perfect for sunset photos. A lovely woman at the top might even hand you a printed local newspaper with your photo in it – a picture she captured secretly while you were basking in the views. It’s a peaceful escape from the urban buzz and a chance to see Bilbao from a different, more serene perspective.

words. Meehika Barua