The industrial port-city of Bilbao is the political capital of the nationalistic Basque people, who inhabit Spain's three northern provinces (an area known collectively as Euskadi). The city is not beautiful - the buildings are soot-stained and the Nervion River running through it is one of Spain's most polluted waterways - but Bilbao does have some surprises to offer visitors, and there are plenty of attractions in the surrounding countryside and around the coast on the Bay of Biscay, which can be easily reached on excursions by rail or road.

The main attraction in the city is the controversial Guggenheim Museum, relatively new on the scene, having been opened in 1997. The city fathers regard this avant-garde building as the beginning of Bilbao' revitalisation, which has also recently acquired a new metro system and airport terminal. Bilbao has some good beaches and a few scenic spots - a favoured picnic site is on Monte Archanda, north of the old town, accessible by funicular. Of the beaches Getxo is the favourite, particularly with surfers, and features a 100-year-old suspension bridge and some lively bars and nightclubs.

Guggenheim Museum

Address: 2 Abandoibarra Et. Bilbao

Admission: EUR9, and an extra EUR2 for an audioguide. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm (open on Mondays between July and August)

Telephone: +34 94 435 90 00

Museo de Bellas Artes

Address: 2 Museo Plaza Bilbao

Admission: EUR5.50 (adults), free for children under 12 Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm

Telephone: 94 439 6060

Museo Vasco

Address: 4 Plaza Miguel de Unamuno Bilbao

Admission: EUR3, with concessions available. Free for children under 10 and senior citizens Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm, Sundays from 11am to 2pm

Telephone: 94 415 5423

Bilbao City Hall

Address: Bilbao

Telephone: +34 94 445 2828 (Reservations)

San Sebastian

Address: Bilbao

Vitoria-Gasteiz

Address: Bilbao

Pamplona

Address: Bilbao

Santillana del Mar

Address: Bilbao

San Fermin (Running of the Bulls)

Where: The town of Pamplona in the north-eastern part of the country,Bilbao

When: 6 - 14 July 2012

O Grove Seafood Festival

Where: O Grove Town Hall, Galicia,Bilbao

When: October 2012 TBA

Guggenheim Restaurant

Address: Avda. Abandoibarra 2 Bilbao

Food Type: Spanish

Restaurante À Table

Address: Dos de Mayo 18 Bilbao

Food Type: French

Aretxondo Restaurant

Address: Bº Elexalde, 20. (Galdakao) Bilbao

Food Type: Spanish

Etxanobe

Address: Avda Abandoibarra, 4 Bilbao

Food Type: International

Zortziko

Address: Calle Alameda Mazarredo, 17 Bilbao

Food Type: International