The Guggenheim Museum is usually the first place that comes to mind when the Spanish city of Bilbao is mentioned.  Frank Gehrys celebrated architectural masterpiece has placed this city firmly on the tourist map, and since opening in 1997 has been largely credited with reviving this once shabby industrial town into one of Spains hottest city break destinations. But Bilbao is more than just a one-museum town and aside from the Guggenheim, visitors will find a city full of historical and modern treasures.
You can reach most attractions in Bilbao by foot, and once you have done the Guggenheim, your next stop should be the Casco Viejo (Old Town), on the banks of the Nervin River.  Centred around Las Siete Calles, the seven original streets that date back to the 1400s, this is a vibrant area both day and night.  A stroll through the cobbled streets will reveal the Mercado Antiguo Lavadero, the old market which is one of Europes largest, the 14th century Cathedral de Santiago and the magnificent Arriaga theatre.  The old town is full of small boutiques, cafes and bars and is a great place to relax and enjoy at a leisurely pace.  The Basque country is famous across Spain for its cuisine, in particular its Pintxos (tapas ) and a bar crawl, known as Txikiteo and involving the frequent eating of pintxos, is a Basque tradition.  Gure Toki in the Plaza Nueva is a good place to start, serving traditional and contemporary versions of Pintxos. 
Bilbao is a city that has invested heavily in its transport infrastructure to accommodate its increasing number of visitors.  The Norman Foster designed metro system impresses with its clean, modern stations and regular train services that reach across the city and the Greater Bilbao area.  Building on the Guggenheim effect, many of Bilbaos modern buildings have been designed by international architectural superstars, including the Zubizuri Bridge and Bilbao airport designed by Santiago Calitrava and Zaha Hadids redevelopment of the old port area.  You can take in views of the whole city, with its mix of the historic and futuristic, by taking the short trip in afunicular up the Artxanda hill.
For an insider view of the city, contact the Bilbao Greeters, a group of volunteers who enthusiastically share their knowledge and passion for the city, giving personalised tours and introducing visitors to locations beyond the traditional tourist map. 
If you fancy getting out beyond the city itself, you will be rewarded by a tour of the Basque Country, which stretches a hundred and sixty kilometres from Bilbao north to Bayonne, France and ranges from a rugged coastline to the vast mountains and forests inland. The Basque Country has a local train network, called Euskotren, which gives easy access to the beaches, towns and villages of the local region, including the charming fishing port of Bermeo. If you wish to venture further afield, you can take the Feve train along the picturesque northern coast from Bilbao, passing through Santander, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia.  Sometimes though, nothing can beat the freedom that a car brings and if you feel like treating yourself, hire a luxury car and experience cruising along the coastal roads with the top down.  Driving east from Bilbao on the Cantabrian Corniche, with mountains on the right and the sea below on the left is an incredible experience.

The glitzy beach town of San Sebastian, just one hundred kilometres from Bilbao on the Bay of Biscay is a popular destination, with buses running regularly between Bilbao and San Sebastian and easily accessible by car.  Its main attraction is the Playa de la Concha, a two-mile-long promenade that runs parallel to the gorgeous sandy beach, giving views of the Santa Clara Island that sits in the middle of the bay.  This is probably one of Europes finest city beaches and the picturesque town is surrounded by mountains and decorated with traditional architecture and public art sculptures.  San Sebastian is also renowned for its cuisine, and is often regarded as the gastronomic capital of Spain, which makes it well worth a visit.
Close to San Sebastian is the town of Pamplona, made famous by its annual festival of San Fermin, which includes the notorious Running of the Bulls celebrations. This is a city full of history and tradition and is the capital of the Navarra region.  Outside the festival season, the real charm of Pamplona is found in the old town, with its wonderful cathedral and narrow streets lined with cafes where life seems to move a slower pace.  This is a great place to walk the streets, and soak up the atmosphere and once again, enjoy some of that great traditional food.  Just a couple of hours drive from Bilbao, or a slightly longer bus ride, it is a great option for a day excursion.

You can access Bilbao from Madrid and Barcelona via the Abando train service, whilst the drive from either city takes about five to five and a half hours.   Flights from many European destinations arrive at Bilbao airport, located twelve kilometres from the city and ferry services from Portsmouth in the UK arrive at Bilbao port.  Whether you decided to rent a car on arrival in Spain, or make use of the public transport system, it is well worth taking the time to discover the beauty that lies beyond the city of Bilbao and enjoy the wonderful Basque Country.
Clare Haward is a travel writer for Europe Luxury Car Hire