Bilbao

Grimy, damp and industrial, Bilbao is all that its reputation declares it to be: you'll either love it or hate it. First and foremost a working city, it enjoys a culture deeply rooted in a tradition whose clearest expression is in the Basque language and the cuisine, arguably the best in Spain. It's a place with guts, where strong flavours satisfy strong tastes, and the best way to get a feel for all this is by wandering its streets and sampling the rich life of its bars and restaurants. Bilbaoans work hard and play hard: bars and clubs heave with people, the tapas here is as good as you'll find anywhere in Spain, and amid the hectic grind of the city glimmers a sprinkling of Art Nouveau cafe bars with superb period detail.

BilbaoHotels

Sheraton Bilbao Hotel - Lehendakari Leizaola - Bilbao 48007 - Spain Phone: 944280000 Fax: 944280001
Mirohotel Bilbao - Alameda Mazarredo, 77 - Bilbao 48009 - Spain Phone: +34 902 117 777 Fax: +34 902 117 755
Silken Gran Hotel Domine - 61 Alameda De Mazarredo 61 - Bilbao 48009 - Spain Phone: 944 253 300 Fax: 944 253 301
Carlton Hotel - Plaza Federico Moyua, 2 - Bilbao 48009 - Spain Phone: 944162200 Fax: 944164628
Hotel Lopez De Haro - 2 Obispo Orueta - Bilbao 48009 - Spain Phone: 94 423 5500 Fax: 94 423 4500
Hotel Ercilla - 37 C/ Ercilla - Bilbao 48011 - Spain Phone: 944 705 700 Fax: 944 439 335
Barcelo Hotel Avenida - Avda. Zumalacárregui, 40 - Bilbao 48006 - Spain Phone: 944124300 Fax: 944114617
Hotel Silken Indautxu - Plaza Bomberno Etxaniz, S/n - Bilbao 48010 - Spain Phone: 944 211 198 Fax: 944 221 331
Abando Hotel - Colón Larreategui, 9 - Bilbao 48001 - Spain Phone: 944236200 Fax: 944245525
Hesperia Zubialde Hotel - 34 Camino De La Ventosa - Bilbao 48013 - Spain Phone: 944008100 Fax: 944 008 110