Bilbao: Old Bilbao and City Center

Bilbao’s historic heart, the Casco Viejo, offers a vivid journey through centuries of urban evolution, from the medieval layout of the Unamuno, Santiago, and Nueva squares to the cultural landmarks that define the city’s character. Visitors encounter emblematic structures such as the Arriaga Theatre by Joaquín de Rucoba, the Arenal Kiosk, and the distinctive La Concordia Train Station (FEVE), all set against the backdrop of a city transformed by intense industrialization during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This area also features key points of interest like the Bilbao Underground and Casco Viejo Station designed by Norman Foster, the Baroque Church of San Nicolás, and the Jardines de Albia, offering a blend of history, transport innovation, and green urban spaces.

Moving toward the modern center, the tour explores the city’s urban fabric through its major arteries and plazas, including Gran Vía, Moyúa, Indautxu, and Bizkaia. In the “Ensanche” district, visitors can appreciate remarkable contemporary works such as the Vizcaya Foral Library by IMB, Philippe Starck’s Cultural Center La Alhóndiga, and the Sanitary Headquarters by Coll-Barreu Arquitectos—examples that illustrate Bilbao’s architectural reinvention. This guided visit provides a comprehensive perspective of the city’s urbanism, ideal for architecture enthusiasts, professionals, and student groups. With Artchitectours, participants are accompanied by expert architect-guides who bring depth and insight to each stop along the itinerary.