
Plaza Barria
Plaza Nueva
Landmark · Casco Viejo
Neoclassical arcades and pintxo bars in the heart of the Old Town.
- Duration
- 20 min
- Price
- Free
- On foot
- 8 min from Plaza Circular
Plaza Nueva brings a formal rectangle of neoclassical arcades to the Old Town. Inaugurated in 1851, the square is lined with bars and restaurants, while the headquarters of Euskaltzaindia, the Basque language academy, occupies one side.
Bilbao City Council’s notice of 18 August 2026 says the central area is closed pending rehabilitation, while the arcades and the areas beside them remain available. Check municipal updates before visiting and follow the barriers on site.
Location
Nearby

Pintxos, sharing plates and wine behind the blue frontage of a Plaza Nueva café founded in 1911.
Restaurant · Casco Viejo
Photo: Amaia Astobiza Uriarte, CC BY-SA 4.0

Basque pintxos, raciones and txakoli beneath the Plaza Nueva arcades.
Bar · Casco Viejo
Photo: Sorginzulo, all rights reserved


Traditional and creative pintxos at La Olla on Plaza Nueva.
Restaurant · Casco Viejo
Photo: Foursquare, foursquare


Contemporary Basque pintxos and small plates at Plaza Nueva 12.
Restaurant · Casco Viejo · 9 min · €€
Photo: Paul Arps — Tapas at Gure Toki (Bilbao, España 2019), CC BY 2.0
You might also like

Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa
Historic, modern and contemporary art across Bilbao’s expanded Fine Arts Museum.
Landmark · Indautxu · 18 min · €
Photo: Zarateman, CC0

Basílica de Begoña Begoñako basilika
A hillside basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Begoña, patron saint of Bizkaia.
Landmark · Begoña
Photo: Zarateman, CC0

Archivo Histórico de Euskadi Euskadiko Artxibo Historikoa
See how Basque documentary history is preserved on a pre-booked archive tour.
Landmark · Indautxu
Photo: Zarateman, CC0

Torre Iberdrola Iberdrola dorrea
César Pelli’s 165-metre office tower above Plaza Euskadi.
Landmark · Abando
Photo: Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0

Yacimiento de la Plaza del Corazón de María Mariaren Bihotza plazako aztarnategia
A buried convent and barracks beneath Plaza del Corazón de María.
Landmark · San Francisco
Photo: Mentxuwiki, CC BY-SA 4.0

Iglesia de San Nicolás San Nikolas Eliza
Twin Baroque towers beside the Arenal, with a domed interior and richly carved altarpieces.
Landmark · Casco Viejo
Photo: Zarateman, CC0