Ensanche

Bilbao, Spain

The city's elegant 19th-century expansion district, home to upscale shopping and dining.

Places in Ensanche

• Ensanche cafes Elegant cafes throughout Bilbao's 19th-century expansion district.
• The Artist Grand Hotel rooftop bar A rooftop bar at a hotel mirroring Bilbao's creative spirit, popular for evening drinks.

Practical notes for Bilbao

Best time to visit

May to September offers the mildest weather for exploring the riverside and old town on foot.

Getting around

Bilbao's centre is walkable, with a metro and tram network connecting the Guggenheim area to the old town.

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Language

Spanish and Basque. English is common in tourism.

Timezone

CET (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer)

Current trends

Bilbao's culinary reputation continues to grow beyond its Michelin-starred restaurants, with the riverside Mercado de la Ribera and the city's assortment of pintxos bars increasingly drawing dedicated food travellers.

Other neighborhoods in Bilbao

• Abandoibarra (Guggenheim area) — The riverside district transformed by the Guggenheim Museum and contemporary architecture.
• Casco Viejo (old town) — Bilbao's historic core, dense with pintxos bars and traditional shops.

Read the full Bilbao guide