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Helen Ochyra. See how you can immerse yourself in world-class art, tasty bites and lazy days on the beach in this hip Spanish city.

Basque in it

THE Basque Country’s biggest city famously dines on pintxos – small but perfectly formed dishes selected from the bar top.

You’ll find them in almost every bar in the Old Town and dishes cost from £1.80.

Head to Plaza Nueva for some of the most delicious at Gure Toki (Guretoki.com).

Or trendy Ahoan makes a mean ham croquette (Facebook @ahoanbilbao), while Sorginzulo is known for its cracking calamari (Sorginzulo.com).

Culture Vulture

FROM the Old Town, take a stroll across the Nervión River at the Zubizuri bridge, a spectacular piece of modern architecture.

It has become symbolic of the reinvigorated city, which has morphed from a gritty post-industrial hub to a cultural powerhouse.

Nearby you’ll see a line-up of sculptures and art installations including the city’s beloved Puppy, a massive dog made of flowers by American artist Jeff Koons.

The dog stands over the Guggenheim Museum, famed as much for its iconic titanium architecture as for the cutting-edge contemporary art inside. Entry costs from £10 (Guggenheim-bilbao.eus).

Seas the day

BILBAO lies a few miles inland, but it’s an easy journey out to the coast and several gorgeous beaches.

Hop on the Metro (Line 1) to reach Getxo and Playa de Ereaga, a large sweep of fine golden sand known for its buzzing beach football tournaments.

To the north you’ll find the prettier – and often much quieter – Playa de Arrigunaga.

Fancy something wilder? Stay on the train a little longer and then hop off at Larrabasterra for Barinatxe beach, a dramatic stretch of ocean that’s ideal for surfers.

Drink Up

BILBAO'S hipster district lies just across the river from the Old Town in Bilbao La Vieja, commonly know as “Bilbi”.

This is the place to be as night falls. Hit Bihotz cafe and microbrewery for craft beers and superb coffees, then Bar Marzana 16 for a glass of the local txakoli white wine on the riverside terrace, before swinging by quirky Peso Neto for potent cocktails and a young, vibrant crowd that keeps the party going well past midnight (Pesoneto.es).

You’ll pay around £1.80 for a small beer or glass of local wine – bargain!

Shop around

YOU won’t be able to resist a spot of shopping in Bilbao, with independent boutiques and stores lining pretty much every street.

Don’t skip a visit to Sombreros Gorostiaga in the Old Town, a hat shop that has been open since 1857 and specialises in custom-made “txapelas”, a typically Basque type of beret, and classic hats.

For handmade jewellery, head to chic Ganboa and pick out a stylish ring, pieces start from £50 (Ganboajewellery.com).

Foodies should head to La Ribera, Europe’s largest covered food market, which is the perfect place to buy delicious local cheeses and cured meats (Lariberabilbao.com).

BTW

As well as Spanish, a common language in Bilbao is Basque, which bears no resemblance to Spanish.