NH Collection Villa de Bilbao

Geographically speaking, Bilbao lies in the far north of Spain, on an estuary that flows out into the Bay of Biscay – but as the largest city in the Basque Country, it very much has a flavour of its own, reflecting the region’s proud and distinct identity. Formerly an industrial powerhouse whose economic growth was fuelled by the iron, steel and shipbuilding industries in the 19th and 20th centuries, it has morphed into one of Europe’s most culturally rich cities today, packed with eye catching sculptures, fascinating museums and an eclectic blend of ultra-modern and traditional architecture.

The Guggenheim Museum, designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, is an unmissable masterpiece, renowned for its futuristic titanium facade and contemporary art exhibitions inside. Right next to it, you’ll find a 12.4m-tall sculpture of a West Highland Terrier covered entirely in flowers – one of many weird and wonderful permanent art installations dotted throughout the city. When exploring the trendy La Vieja district, and when wandering the colourful streets of Casco Viejo (the old town), home to the 14th-century Gothic-style Santiago Cathedral, you’ll feel a totally different vibe. That’s the thing about Bilbao; each neighbourhood reveals a new and intriguing layer of the city’s unique character.