Easter in Bilbao
Summer will soon be here! Time is giving us a break and, this year, more than ever, we are looking forward to making the most of these holidays. A small taster of spring that helps us disconnect from routine and look at these strange months more positively. While 2021 will continue to be different, without processions in the streets of Bilbao, we can still appreciate and enjoy the city.
Holy Week processions in Bilbao
But we must not forget that one day we will go back to what we used to do.
The vibrant atmosphere of the town, meetings with family and friends and, above all, Bilbao’s Holy Week processions have always been some of the main tourist attractions.
Since its origin in 1554, Bilbao’s Holy Week currently hosts a total of 13 brotherhoods that tour the city over the nine days, accompanied by Pasos (floats) of great historical and artistic value. If your visit coincides with this fiesta, we recommend you attend the procession of the Holy Burial, led by the Vera Cruz brotherhood, the first to be formed in Bilbao and considered to be one of the most important for the value of the carvings and floats. However, at dawn on Good Friday, Our Lady of Mercy leads the Procession of Silence. A moment of prayer and emotion without music that will leave your hair standing on end.
However, if your trip does not coincide with these important dates, we encourage you to come to the Museum of Pasos de Bilbao and learn more about this spectacular form of art.
What to do in Bilbao at Easter
But in addition to the Pasos and the processions, Bilbao offers endless options for activities that you can enjoy with the whole family.
Taking advantage of these festive days and increasingly pleasant temperatures, let yourself be seduced by the most remarkable streets and corners of our beloved botxo. Some of the best options for getting to know this city include visits to the Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, a walk through the Arenal to the Arriaga Theatre or losing yourself among the history and architecture of the streets of Casco Viejo. If you plan to travel with the younger members of the family, you cannot miss the opportunity to navigate the Bilbao estuary. A unique experience with which you can appreciate the many changes in this legendary industrial city. During the trip, take advantage of the city’s many parks; they are the best option to rest, take a bike ride or continue with the adventure and let your imagination fly.
What to see in the surroundings of Bilbao
One of Bilbao’s advantages is its excellent public transport and good communication with other municipalities of great interest. Both the interprovincial bus and metro line 1 will take you to places such as Getxo or Sopelana, highly recommended destinations for enjoying the sea or coastal neighbourhoods such as Algorta and its Old Port. And if you want to continue getting to know the most important places in the province, the same metro line takes you to Las Arenas. Does the Hanging Bridge sound familiar to you? Enjoy the heights!
And if you’ve travelled to Bilbao by car, you’re in luck. A drive of 45 minutes links the town with one of the most visited places in the province, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. This islet is dominated by a centuries-old hermitage and connected to land by hundreds of stairs, a privileged location combining nature, history and tradition that you must not miss.
Where to eat in Bilbao
But what would the North and Bilbao be without an excellent gastronomic route?
Holy Week in Bilbao is also all about gastronomy. During your visit, you will be able to taste the most popular dishes of the season, torrijas and rice pudding, as well as the well-known pintxos and Bilbao’s finest cuisine.
The streets of Casco Viejo are your allies if you are looking for the best pintxos or a good glass of Txakoli, and the well-known Mercado de la Ribera is a paradise if you are looking for stalls selling fresh food of the best quality. And if you plan to indulge in haute cuisine, you can choose between Bilbao’s various Michelin-starred restaurants: the Eneko Bilbao by Eneko Atxa, the Nerua experience by Josean Alija or the Ola by Martin Berasategui, among many others.
Finding apartments in Bilbao
An essential point to consider for enjoying Holy Week in Bilbao is accommodation. Find a space where you can rest from all the activities offered by the city, where you can feel at home. Our recommendation? Bearing the location in mind, make your reservation as soon as possible: on these dates, they fly!
A good option is the new Libere holiday apartments in Bilbao. Located next to the Guggenheim and the famous La Salve bridge, this accommodation is presented as a new concept of space that adapts to you, your needs and your way of travelling. With technology as the protagonist, you will have access to the reservation and the apartment from your mobile phone. And you can customise your stay and services as you want. An innovative and designer-led option that adapts to both you and all your party on your trip to the Basque capital. Come to Bilbao with family or friends, and feel at home.
