Orientation

The casco viejo, or old quarter, sits on the east side of the city, to the east of the Ría de Bilbao (also known as the Río Nervión), which makes a sort of upside-down “U” as it cuts through the city. The casco viejo contains the cathedral and siete calles (the original seven streets of Bilbao) and has the highest concentration of bars and accommodations. Across the river from the casco viejo are the neighborhoods of Abando to the north (where the museums are), Indautxu further south (where the nightlife is after 2am), Basurtu to the southwest (where the bus terminal is), and Deusto all the way west, across the river.