Bilbao Reborn: Feasting in the Comeback City
Description
Europe’s greatest comeback city, Bilbao is a place reborn. Until a few decades ago a postindustrial metropolis plagued by pollution and economic decline, Bilbao today is a buzzing cultural and culinary capital. On this full-day tour, we’ll trace Bilbao’s history and rebirth through the exceptional eateries – old and new – that call the Basque city home. On this full-day tour, we’ll walk Bilbao’s backstreets and stop into the local eateries – old and new – that tell this city’s remarkable tale of renewal.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This bridge is located right near the San Anton Nikolas Eliza Church and is one of the city's iconic landmarks. It's known for its historical significance and stunning views of the river and surrounding areas.
While you mentioned Ribera Market, it’s worth highlighting its architectural beauty. It’s one of the largest covered markets in Europe, with a history that dates back to the 1920s, offering fresh produce and a taste of the local culture.
he historic heart of Bilbao, just a stone's throw from the square. Casco Viejo is full of narrow streets, old buildings, and vibrant plazas, perfect for exploring the city's traditional Basque culture.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(46)
I have done about ten tours with Culinary Backstreets and all of them were excellent but I think this tour was one of the best. The Guide was excellent. Paul was full of information which he delivered with the perfect pace, in a relaxed and easy fashion, which made the entire day so enjoyable. The food was of course excellent which is to be expected, and was used as a catalyst for us to understand the culinary culture and history of Bilbao..
The tour was good. Lots of good food. Expensive, but probably worth it. But sometimes it felt like we were walking in circles (eg. literally spent ages going up and down the stairs in the market for no real reason) and many of the stops were at places that tour guides say to visit, which were tasty but not exactly “backstreet”. Compared to previous food tours I’ve done, it felt more like delivering a script than a slice of life.
Thank you for your review and for appreciating the delicious food on our walk. We sincerely apologize that the experience felt more scripted than the authentic slice of daily life we strive to share. Our commitment to "Honest Tourism" means we constantly evaluate our routes to ensure they truly reflect the unsung heroes of the kitchen, and we would love for you to contact us directly to share more about your experience.
A wonderful day touring the markets and then trying multiple different pinxtos and Tzakoli. Kaya made it all so interesting and fun! We were very full but lived it all. Highly recommended!
Thank you for joining us to explore the vibrant markets and daily life of Bilbao. We are so glad you enjoyed sharing pintxos and connecting with the unsung heroes who make this city's food culture so special. Your support truly helps preserve these invaluable culinary traditions for generations to come.
Gonzalo/Gibraltar was our guide for this well-paced tour of Bilbao. V food was great and each dish was well fought through and complementary of the next dish. At each stop the food was paired with a drink, which added to the fun. I would recommend this tour with Gibraltar to anyone visiting Bilbo or San Sebastian.
Thank you for the review and for sharing your experience exploring the complexity and daily life of Bilbao. We are so glad you enjoyed the thoughtfully paired dishes and stories shared along the way. Your support helps us continue preserving culinary traditions and championing the unsung heroes of the local kitchens.
We had an amazing food tour through Bilbao with Kaya today - starting at the markets with some delicious tastings along the way. Kaya gave us interesting information on the founding of Bilbao and the old town. We went on to taste some tinned cod livers ( delicious!) and squid then started on the tzakolis! We had multiple different pinxtos with tzakoli and really enjoyed strolling through the streets. Other highlights were the vermouth cocktail and tomato salad ( plus artichoke salad) and the cheese shop. We were totally full by the end and loved it all. Kaya was such fun to be with and can totally recommend this tour.
Thank you for the review and for spending your day exploring Bilbao's vibrant daily life with us. We truly appreciate your support of the unsung heroes and family-run spots that keep our city's rich culinary traditions alive. It is a joy to share the complex history and true flavors of the local community with curious travelers like you.
So so good... Gonzalo our guide was excellent. He has a true passion for the food scene... He took us to multiple local spots and showed us great food and a great time. Would highly recommend Culinary Backstreets and Gonzalo!
This was a fabulous experience. We were a varied group - 11 years to 73 years, and one vegetarian - and Paul did an incredible job of accommodating all of us. We learned so much history, interesting anecdotes and a real sense of the food and spirit of this fantastic city. I am so impressed with how Bilbao has reinvented itself and the resiliency of the Basque people.
Thank you for the review. We are so glad that Paul could share the remarkable history, resiliency, and daily life of Bilbao with your group. By walking with us, you help support the unsung heroes of the kitchen and preserve the deep culinary traditions of the Basque people. We hope to share more authentic stories with you in another city someday.
Our Culinary Backstreets tour was the highlight of our Basque trip. Three generations, my mother in her 70s, my 11‑year‑old son, and us were equally captivated. The walk blended flavors with stories of Bilbao’s history and neighborhoods, making our subsequent 2-day urban explorations more meaningful. Paul, our guide, paced the stops thoughtfully, tailoring his narration to different curiosities. We left feeling connected and with a deeper understanding of how Bilbao’s culinary traditions and new venues shape its cultural identity. My vegetarian son was not disappointed and we all loved the shop by shop and neighborhood by neighborhood meandering. The early morning of the busy market, the old to new districts, and the ending punctuation of at the Guggenheim narrated a memorable mind map of Bilbao.
Hello, and thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review of your family's time in Bilbao. We are thrilled that Paul could help your three generations connect with the city's daily life and rich culinary traditions. Thank you for walking with us and supporting the local artisans and family-run spots that are the true unsung heroes of the Basque country.
We had the best time with Gonzalo. Every spot he took us to was special and every bite we ate was exceptional. Could not recommend more.
Hello! We are so glad to hear you had such a wonderful time exploring Bilbao's culinary heart with us. It means the world to our team and the local establishments we visit to know you appreciate their stories and dedication to tradition. Thank you for supporting our unsung heroes and helping to preserve these cherished culinary traditions.
We had an excellent tour with Kaya as our guide. She tailored the tour to our interest, giving us a great history tour of Bilbao and the Basque region on top of an already-excellent food tour. We loved each of the stops on the tour, getting a nice spread of classic pintxos and modern cooking. Kaya was also very helpful with making sure one of our group members' nut allergy was taken care of. I would 100% recommend this tour for anyone visiting Bilbao!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're so glad you enjoyed exploring Bilbao's culinary stories and history with us. It means a lot to hear your kind words and to know that you're helping us support our local heroes and preserve these vibrant culinary traditions.
