A port city in Spain has been named the best in the world for walking, tying with Valencia in the 2024 World’s Best Cities report by Resonance Consultancy.

Bilbao, often dubbed ‘the City of the Guggenheim,’ promises to be a walker’s paradise, thanks to its remarkable pedestrian-friendly layout.

The unique allure of this gem in the Basque Country is the seamless marriage of ‘old and new’, of ‘vintage and modern’.

While the cityscape is dominated by Frank Gehry’s iconic titanium of the Guggenheim Museum, the beauty of Bilbao extends beyond its avant-garde structures, and through the city’s historic old town and quaint plazas. 

With intimate, narrow streets featuring traditional centuries-old buildings and lively bars, Bilbao’s Casco Viejo is where locals gather. 

For art enthusiasts, The Museo de Bellas Artes houses a myraid of mediums, from sculptures to classical and contemporary paintings, while the Museo Guggenheim is an obvious tourist favourite.

Recalling their visit to this architectural marvel, a user on Tripadvisor called it a “must do experience” and said: “The building is a masterpiece! Inside, you can easily spend the day looking at the exhibits and admiring the design.”

On the bank of the river, Nervión is the bustling Mercado de la Ribera, which was recognised as the most complete municipal food market by the Guinness Book of Records in 1990.

For those travelling to soak in some medieval charm, the flea market, the flower market, and Las Siete Calles- the city’s original seven streets dating back to 1400, are well worth spending a whole evening. 

Strolling, sauntering, and walking in Bilbao is undoubtedly the best way to soak in the beauty and life of this dynamic city.