Panoramic Bilbao

Follow the Nervión River into Bilbao to admire landmarks like its unusual transporter bridge and the Guggenheim Museum, a modern marvel of architecture on this mostly panoramic tour.

Depart from the pier and start driving towards downtown Bilbao, an energetic city on the Nervión River. Following the river's course, you will soon come upon the Great Biscay Transporter Bridge, a towering latticework of metal that opened in 1893. Ever since, it has been carrying people - and now cars, across the river in an open gondola suspended from the bridge high above. If the design reminds you of the Eiffel Tower, it's no coincidence; the bridge's architect was a student of Gustave Eiffel.

Next, you will drive up Mount Artxanda, one of the two mountains within the city limits. During a photo stop here, you will have an excellent panoramic view of Bilbao, one of the great cities of the Basque Country. While Bilbao's roots are definitely industrial, in the past two decades it has become passionately devoted to the arts. This cultural drive has been largely fueled by the celebrated Guggenheim Museum, where you will enjoy a brief amount of free time to take some exterior pictures and walk about.

Designed by Frank Gehry, the museum is clad in swirls of titanium, limestone and huge glass panes. Even before opening in 1997, it was hailed as the greatest building of its time. The Guggenheim is certainly the most photographed structure in Bilbao and after meandering about its grounds you will understand the attraction. Afterwards, you will return to the pier via a scenic route through downtown.