Hi
I'm leaving the kids at home and escaping to Bilbao 6-8th Feb for a weekend away with a friend.Shopping needs to be done (on a budget!) so any suggestions for markets, quirky shops (inc ceramics) & streets would be very welcome, as well as any places for a good value menu del dia. I bought the Footprint guide, which looks good, but on the brief side. Any suggestions for a good guidebook?
We're planning on getting the bus from the airport, does it stop near the Hotel Nervion? if so is it by request?
Many thanks

You haven't checked our Maribel's Bilbao file? If not, then for shopping, you will want to visit the old quarter, the Casco Viejo. It has just about everything you're looking for. As far as eating goes, you can try the pintxos bars (tapas) in the old quarter or in the Ensanche, the new city. Both offer excellent dishes and you won't walk away hungry. There is also the "Cafe Iruña" (Calle de Colón Larreategui #13). Good for lunch or dinner.

As far as a guide books go, besides Maribel's files, I suggest the Cadogan guide on "Bilbao and the Basque Lands".

Many thanks Robert, and I'll do a search for Maribel's files.

Hi Gladys,

the airport bus doesn't stop near your hotel. It departs every half an hour from the airport or from the Plaza Elíptica. From there, in order to get to your hotel, I would get a taxi. The hotel is located in the other side of the river, and it is far away from any metro station. You could walk there, but it would take you around 20, 25 minutes, specially with luggage. There is a taxi stand just across the bus stop, by the Hotel Carlton.

Shopping ... you should head into the Old Town. Check the Mercado de la Rivera, specially the basement with the fishmongers (although I cannot promise you a big selection on Saturdays, but it is very interesting). On the first floor you will find the butchers and the fresh produce.
Afterwards you can walk around the Old Town (although the traditional shops are being replaced by clothing and shoes places ... pity ...), and maybe have something in the cafe Bilbao in the Plaza Nueva.
http://www.bilbaocafe.com/

Typical souvenirs, but with style, can be found in Basandere, near the Guggenheim museum, on Iparraguirre street.
http://www.basandere.com/
On the same street there is a nice place to have a quick bit, "Abando y Barra". Any of their pintxos are to be recommended.

Another place to check, the new Zara Home in the Gran Via near El Corte Ingles.
http://www.bilbaocafe.com/

For "menu del dia", I can also recommend you "Cafe La Granja", in the Plaza Circular. It belongs to the same owners of "Cafe Iruña". Another place can be the "Taberna de los Mundos".
http://www.delosmundos.com/
http://www.cafesdebilbao.net/

If you need more recommendations, or if you have any question, please write to me.

Rgds, Cova

BTW. The winter sales will still be on ... and the shoe shops are really good

Dear Cova
Many thanks for the advice. It all sounds so exciting ! It's great to be able to plan my trip ahead with such insider info!
Gladys