English Local Walk, 2 Hours 30

Walk Like a Local: Discover the True Bilbao

★ 4.76/5 392 reviews on GuruWalk

Free pay what you want

Run by an independent local guide on GuruWalk

Takes you to the guide's GuruWalk page, where a free place is reserved directly. Nothing is paid here, and the walk is free, pay what you want.

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Language: English
Meeting point: Plaza Arriaga, back facade of the Arriaga Theatre
Where it walks: Casco Viejo
Guide: Anglotourismo
What it costs: Free, pay what you want

Overview

This English-language free walking tour runs under the title Walk Like a Local: Discover the True Bilbao, and it is listed on GuruWalk. The walk sets off from Plaza Arriaga, at the back facade of the Arriaga Theatre, in the Casco Viejo. It runs for 2.5 hours and is free to book, with guests paying the guide what they think the walk was worth at the end.

A narrow lane of the Siete Calles in the Casco Viejo of Bilbao, tall stone and plaster facades with wrought-iron balconies and a few distant walkers

The operator's description promises more than the standard postcard version of the city. According to it, the route touches on Bilbao's history and its transformation during the Industrial Revolution, then turns to modern-day life, covering the city's architecture, culture and politics. Guides also share tips on where to find affordable and tasty spots in town, plus a few basic phrases in Spanish and Basque to help visitors get by.

The tour is described as suited to anyone who wants both the historical picture and a sense of how Bilbao works today. It runs in English only, rain or shine, and the operator asks visitors who cannot attend to cancel through the app so the guide is not left waiting.

Itinerary

Stop	What Happens
Meet at Plaza Arriaga	Meet at Arriaga Plaza, 1, in the Ibaiondo district, at the back facade of the Arriaga Theatre. The operator moved the meeting point there because many groups gather in front of the central entrance.
Teatro Arriaga Antzokia	The first stop named on the GuruWalk page is the theatre itself, the building the walk starts beside.
Plazuela de San Nicolas	The GuruWalk page names this square as the next of the stops it shows. The full route has 10 stops, of which the page displays the first 3.
BBVA	The third stop named on the GuruWalk page. The remaining stops are not shown there, so the rest of the route is the guide's to reveal.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the GuruWalk page are worth knowing before you reserve a place.

Meeting spot. The walk gathers at the back facade of the Arriaga Theatre, not the front. The operator changed this because the front entrance gets crowded with other groups. Arriving with the right side of the building in mind saves confusion.
Language. This walk runs in English.
Weather. The tour runs rain or shine, per the operator's description. Bring whatever the sky demands, since a departure is not called off for bad weather.

“Mike provided an excellent tour. He took us to great sites that revealed much about the city, region, and basque culture. He covered the contemporary scene very well and added in much on history and sociology of region. Knowledgable, personable, Mike is a great guide! Would gladly take another class with him Again!”

Michelle, GuruWalk review of English Local Walk, 2 Hours 30

Cancelling. If you decide not to come, the operator asks that you cancel in the app. This is so the guide is not left waiting at the meeting point.
What you get. The operator promises local tips on affordable places to eat, along with some starter phrases in Spanish and Basque to use during your stay.

Common issues. The operator states plainly that the walk runs rain or shine, so poor weather is not a reason to expect a cancellation. No food, drinks or entry fees are mentioned as included, and the included and not-included lists on the GuruWalk page are empty, so anything beyond the walk itself is on you. The full itinerary is not published: the page shows only the first 3 stops of a 10-stop route, so you cannot check the exact route in advance.

Free Sights Across Bilbao

Place	Free Or Ticketed	What Is Free	What You Still Pay For
Casco Viejo and the Siete Calles	Free	Open public streets, free at all hours. Shops, bars and pintxos inside it are paid, and the cathedral, Euskal Museoa and Archaeological Museum have their own rules.	None for walking the streets.

What To Know Before You Reserve

How Much Does This Tour Cost?

Booking is free and the walk is pay what you want: guests pay the guide what they think the walk was worth at the end. No amount is set in advance, and there is no fixed price to pay on the day.

Where Does The Tour Meet?

At Arriaga Plaza, 1, in the Ibaiondo district of the Casco Viejo. Specifically, the group gathers at the back facade of the Arriaga Theatre, because many other groups meet in front of the central entrance.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

No. There is no pickup with this tour; you make your own way to the meeting point at the back facade of the Arriaga Theatre.

How Long Is The Walk?

The tour lasts 2.5 hours, according to the tour's page on GuruWalk. Plan for roughly that amount of time from the meeting point.

What Language Is The Tour In?

English. The page for this GuruWalk walk states English as the language, so it suits visitors who want a walk they can follow without translation.

What If It Rains Or I Cannot Attend?

The tour runs rain or shine, so bad weather does not cancel a departure. If you decide not to attend, the operator asks you to cancel the tour in the app so the guide does not wait for you at the meeting point.