If you want to escape the city streets, this is the right place for you to take in a breath of fresh air and look down at Bilbao from above. At the Artxanda viewpoint, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the city and the beautiful mountains that surround it. There is a small funicular railway that functions as a fast mode of transportation to reach the top of the hill.

The National Museum of Wildlife Art is home to a vast and impressive collection of over 5,000 cataloged works, representing more than 550 artists. The collection spans from ancient pieces dating back to 2500 B.C. to contemporary works, offering a diverse range of art styles, including realism, modernism, and even explorer art. Featured artists range from historic figures like Karl Bodmer and Albert Bierstadt to modern icons like Picasso and Rembrandt. Situated on a hillside overlooking the National Elk Refuge, the museum blends its art with the natural landscape. Its Sculpture Trail, designed to complement Jackson Hole’s breathtaking scenery, offers visitors an immersive experience, showcasing wildlife sculptures in their natural surroundings.

Take a sneak peek at a day in the life of a local by going on one of the most typical and easily accessible hiking routes in the region. Reaching some 673 metres (2,208 feet) in height, Pagasarri is one of the smaller mountains that surround Bilbao and most locals will have tried this hike at least once before. There are buses from the city centre, with a few different routes starting from the area of Zabalburu or from Peñascal, on the outskirts of the city. At the top of the mountain, there is even a bar selling 'bokatas', the typical no-nonsense baguette rolls filled with your local delicacy of choice, from tortilla de patata to txistorra or chorizo. If you've reached the summit of Pagasarri, you're already halfway to Ganekogorta, a summit at 998 metres (3,274 feet) which is a little further away.

The National Elk Refuge is a prime destination for wildlife viewing, featuring much more than just elk. Besides the massive elk herds, which can number up to 5,000 during winter, visitors may spot other species such as bison, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, and even wolves. A key highlight is the horse-drawn sleigh ride, which offers a magical and close-up experience with the elk in their natural habitat, running from mid-December to early April, depending on weather and herd conditions.