Bilbao is the largest city of the Basque Country in northern Spain.
It attracts visitors with art, culture and culinary treats.
Some 3 hundred and 50 thousand people live here.
But what do we get to see if we leave things to chance
and ask the locals for recommendations?
First stop, then: the Guggenheim Museum in the city center.
The building was designed by world-famous architect Frank Gehry in 1993.
Visitors are greeted by a twelve-meter-high dog sculpture – "Puppy" by Jeff Koons.
Waiting at the rear of the museum is a spider called "Maman,"
a sculpture by artist Louise Bourgeois.
The Guggenheim Museum, with its collection of contemporary art,
is certainly a good place to start in Bilbao.
But what else is there to do near the museum?
Bilbao is located on the River Nervión.
Nine bridges connect the city districts.
Zubizuri pedestrian bridge is one of them – for many the most beautiful.
Its name is Basque and means "white bridge".
It was built in the mid-1990s according to a design by Spanish architect
Santiago Calatrava.
So where to next?
We'll find out more about pintxos in a moment.
But first, we're going to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the historic district
on Bilbao's west side.
Its core is the "Siete Calles" – the "Seven Streets" –
which date back to the 14th century.
There are lots of shops, restaurants and cafes here.
But what should you order here?
Pintxos are to Bilbao what tapas are to other areas of Spain.
They can be found in countless bars and restaurants,
for example in "Toma y Daka".
Jesús González works there.
He shows us what's on offer.
On to the next location, recommended to us by a local expert.
And who knows a city better than a cab driver?
What tip for Bilbao does he have for us?
You can get to the top of the mountain by car, cable car, or on foot.
The cable car takes just under three minutes to reach the top.
The outlook is perched at an altitude of 250 meters.
It's the best panoramic view of the city and yet another angle
from which to appreciate Bilbao.