The Breathtaking City In Spain With A World-Famous Museum And Michelin-Starred Eateries

Spain is one of Europe's major food, culture, and nightlife epicenters. Every city in the country adds its own unique flavor that makes Spain one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Valencia is known for its paella, Sevilla for flamenco, and Madrid for its many famous museums. Of course, even though the country has quite a few popular cities, it is also home to some of the most underrated tourist destinations in the world. A lesser-known area of Spain that should be added to any travel bucket list has to be the Basque Country region, an underrated place that Rick Steves calls a "premium blend" of Spain and France.

Located in this region is Bilbao, a somewhat overlooked city that some never thought would see its day in the sun (mostly because Northern Spain is pretty cloudy). In 1997, The Guggenheim Museum was built, hoping to bring an economic revival to this otherwise industrial city. This, along with delicious Basque gastronomy –– since the region boasts the most Michelin star restaurants in Spain) –– put Bilbao on the map, tourism-wise. Today, visitors can enjoy a river-side walk to the cultural epicenter of the Guggenheim Bilbao, spend an afternoon drifting through the beautiful old town, and enjoy a night stuffing their bellies with Basque delicacies.

Designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, The Guggenheim Bilbao played an intricate part in raising Bilbao to its rightful place as a tourist destination. Being asked to design this titanium powerhouse was a major challenge –– one that Gehry competed against two other architects for. Now, The Guggenheim Bilbao is one of the top museums in Spain, visited by over 1.3 million people in 2023. What makes it so special? Aside from its unique and highly recognizable architectural design, visitors will find 250 permanent collection pieces by an eclectic group of artists from the Basque Country and Spain, as well as international artists such as Andy Warhol, Anish Kapoor, and Mark Rothko, inside the museum.

Get lost in a literal maze of steel created by artist Richard Serra, or sit and watch the lights of Jenny Holzer's nine LED-powered columns flash different phrases and texts. The surroundings of the Guggenheim are a bit like an outdoor museum themselves. Artistic works dot the outside of the building, such as Louise Bourgeois' larger-than-life spider sculpture or Jeff Koons' 43-foot tall "Puppy" statue, made up of thousands of flowers. Inside the museum, self-guided tours are available in multiple languages and are included with the price of admission. Free guided tours in Spanish are also conducted at limited times during the day. You can also request a 2-hour guided tour in the language of your choice for 250 euros (about $260).

Northern Spain has developed itself as a culinary powerhouse, and one of the ultimate destinations in Europe for foodies. With nearly 40 Michelin stars, the Basque Country has the highest amount of Michelin-starred restaurants per capita worldwide. If a fancier dining experience is not your cup of tea, almost every bar in Bilbao offers patrons the opportunity to try the region's famed pintxos (pinchos), a snack that is particular to the Basque Country and very similar to tapas. Consisting of a small slice of bread, they are topped with delicious delights. Everything from ham and goat cheese to spiked towers of shrimp can be considered pintxos. One makes a great snack, but multiple make a fantastic dinner. Pair these with a glass of beer or wine and you've got an authentic Basque meal.

For more sensory and culinary delights, head over to the La Ribera Market, the largest covered food market in Europe. Set alongside the river near the Old Town, it has three levels filled with stalls selling everything from fresh seafood and meat to cheese and vegetables. To the right of the market lies a food court, where patrons can sample numerous Basque culinary treats. Head to Cafe-bar la Ribera on the ground floor for beautiful terraced views of the river and daily jazz serenades.