SCandinavian Cruises - 2026
Thursday 4 June'26 - Bilbao (Spain)
Docked just after 0800 and as we were undertaking a ship excursion, which we didn't need to be there until 1040, another laid back brekky. The day was rainy but a nice comfortable 17'c. We actually docked at Getxo, as Bilbao (pronounced Bilbow by the locals - as in the boat) is a little further in land on the Nervión River. As we headed into town along the port road, some interesting old architecture, as well as some very expensive real estate. As we drove into Bilbao itself, we passed the Guggenheim Museum but there were far too many trees and the bus windows were covered in rain, to get a good shot for a. Did get a chance at a couple of the sculptures outside. The 1st being a giant spider, the 2nd a tribute to the women of the town who used to "pull" the ships up the estuary in times gone by. We then commenced the walking part of the tour in the old town and came across the statue of Don Diego López de Haro, the founder of Bilbao. Like so many places in Europe, the buildings are amazing...
Next stop on the walk was Cathedral of Santiago, Bilbao's main church. Then the Palacio de Justicia de Bilbao (High Court) and Teatro Arriaga (old Opera House). We then had about an hours free time where retail therapy was undertaken before getting back on the bus.
We were then driven to a viewpoint up in the mountains overlooking the metropolitan area of Bilbao, from where I was able to grab a good shot of the Guggenheim. At the viewpoint there was also an interesting sculpture (well, I thought so). We then went to see the Vizcaya Bridge, best described as a transporter bridge and was built in1893. Then back to the ship, some drinks at Trivia then dinner in the Cosmopolitan.