Bilbao is one of the alternative destinations for your successful corporate incentive trip. An incentive Bilbao in the Basque city par excellence with its own strong identity culture and its own language. It preserves ancient traditions. At the same time, it is moving towards a future dominated by the activity of young artists and creators. Suddenly famous for the Guggenheim Museum, designed by the Canadian architect Frank Gehry, the authorities have decided in recent years to completely renovate it in a green and sustainable version. With a past marked by heavy industrialisation, the city has been able to rise to new challenges. It completely reclaimed the river that crosses it, created almost 100 km of green spaces, and renovated the metro network.
Historical sources date the birth of Bilbao to 1300, when Ferdinand of Castile decreed the creation of the city in northern Spain. In 1500, the consulate of Bilbao was created and the port began to develop thanks to intense trade. It became the most important centre of the Bay of Biscay. Thanks to the exploitation of the iron mines, large-scale industry also developed. During the Civil War, the city was heavily bombed by the Francoist militias. Like Barcelona, it was conquered.
As mentioned, the main attraction in Bilbao is the much-discussed Guggenheim Museum. This magnificent example of deconstructivism was built in 1997 and has attracted much criticism in the Basque community, both for its cost and its futuristic architecture. Inside there are permanent and temporary collections of contemporary art. Another important museum, housed in a beautiful neoclassical building, is the Fine Arts Museum. It exhibits works of Spanish, Basque, and European art from the Middle Ages to the present day. Bilbao also boasts other outstanding architectural expressions. Examples include Santiago Calatrava’s Zubizuri Bridge and the atrium of the Azkuna Zentroa Cultural Centre, designed by Philippe Starck.
Your Bilbao Incentive in a city with ancient traditions, projecting into the future
But Bilbao is not only architecture. It also has an excellent culinary tradition. We will visit the Mercado de la Ribeira, a typical covered market with a surface area of 10,000 m2. There, more than 200 small shops sell the most varied products of the local gastronomy. Perhaps, we will enjoy a pintxos on the panoramic terrace.
What could be better than organising a wonderful incentive trip to Bilbao? Experience the typical atmosphere of the Basque Country first hand.
