Bilbao it is movement, it is frenzy, it is vitality, it is multiethnicity, it is modernity, it is Spain but not Spain. Capital of the Buscaglia, the most important region of the Basque country, it fully represents its soul. As soon as you arrive, Spanish pocket dictionary in hand, you can feel somewhat disoriented.
Addressing locals in Spanish is almost an offense, an affront. Very close to their openly independentist culture, if you don't know the Basque language you should communicate in English, in order to avoid incurring glances or no answers. Road signs are also in Basque language which, only in rare cases, bear the double Basque / Spanish wording. So arm yourself with patience and a healthy spirit of initiative and go a little bit on an adventure in this city that has so much to offer.
If you love confusion, I recommend you go there during the party of Auctions Nagusia Semana Grande held in the second half of August and it goes on for ten days, or should I say ten nights. During this period, hundreds of thousands of tourists crowd the streets of the center and it will be difficult for you to even walk without tripping over the unknown feet of tourists and locals. Thinking of finding a place to sleep without a reservation or even just a parking space for the car, these days, is almost utopian. It is advisable to book long in advance, to avoid having to sleep along the Nervion River.
I stayed in the Hotel Barcelò Nervion, located on the bank of the river of the same name. Very central and comfortable, it has an immense hall that looks like a square and which frequently hosts exhibitions or events. Equipped with internal parking, it is advisable to book it in conjunction with the room if you do not want to risk having to park the car on the outskirts of the city and then be forced to take a taxi or a bus to return to the hotel.
In Bilbao it is celebrated at night, all night and until the first light of dawn… so have fun and have a good Basque night!
