Bilbao, City Bus Tour

The day began under mostly overcast skies, although the sun made occasional appearances throughout the afternoon.

We spent the morning exploring the narrow streets and historic neighborhoods of Bilbao. Eventually, we settled on a table in Plaza Nueva, where we enjoyed a few Pintxos and a cup of coffee while watching local life unfold around us.

Later, we crossed the Nervión River and purchased tickets for the Hop-on-Hop-off City Bus. The 40-minute tour provided a good overview of Bilbao’s main sights and neighborhoods. We enjoyed it enough to stay on for a second circuit, securing seats in the front row of the upper deck, which offered excellent views and opportunities for photos and videos.

The tour increased our anticipation for the next two days of exploring the city in more detail. Bilbao has impressed us with its clean streets, attractive architecture, and well-maintained public spaces. The photos below will tell much of the story.

Before returning to the apartment, we stopped to pick up a few items for breakfast. To my surprise, the “Find My” app on my laptop showed that my iPhone was located about five miles away in a suburb of Bilbao.

Kurt and I immediately called an Uber and headed to the location. Unfortunately, we were unable to recover it, since the app only provided an approximate location, and the area consisted of several three-story apartment buildings. It could have been in any one of them.

Our Uber driver kindly contacted his dispatch office and learned that yesterday’s driver, Pedro Manuel, had not found the phone or wallet in his vehicle. It appeared that a dishonest passenger probably took it.

Although we returned empty-handed, we did stop at the Bilbao Police Lost & Found office to file a report. The officers were professional and helpful, despite the language barrier. The experience gave me about 45 minutes to practice my Mexican Spanish.

In the evening, we returned to Plaza Nueva and sampled more Pintxos at a different restaurant, accompanied by a glass of wine. Once again, the food was excellent.

Tomorrow’s plans include a visit to the iconic Guggenheim Museum and a ride on the funicular to Mount Artxanda, where we hope to enjoy panoramic views of the city.Read more