Busy streets, lively
shopping precincts, gar dens and squares on either side of the estuary.
Bilbao is a capital that quite obviously offers the visitor far more
than just the famous Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Let's start our tour
in the hectic PLAZA DE ESPANA, also known as the Plaza Circular. Making
our way down the Calle Buenos Aires will bring us to the backbone
of the city, the estuary.
The GRAN VIA, dedica ted to Don Diego Lopez de Haro, but given this
shorter name by the locals, is the capital's most important banking
and shopping district. Stop in front of the building housing the DIPUTACION
FORAL DE BIZKAIA and in the large Plaza Moyua, also known as the Plaza
Eliptica. From the Gran Via you can access DOÑA CASILDA PARK,
where you'll find a bandstand often used for open-air festive activities.
This park, Bilbao's breath of fresh air, serves as the entrance to
the MUSEO DE BELLAS ARTES, and its excellent art collection. At the
bottom of the Alameda de Rekalde you'll be met by Puppy, the cute,
flower-coated mascot of the GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM BILBAO, where you can
end your stroll, either by visiting the building or by enjoying the
area surrounding it. Gehry's construction stands on the opposite side
of the estuary from Deusto University.
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