Perched above Bilbao on Artagan Hill, the Basilica of Our Lady of Begoña was built starting in 1511 on the very spot where, legend says, the Virgin Mary appeared. The church mixes styles: mainly Gothic inside, a Renaissance front with a grand arch, and a belfry added in the early 20th century. Inside, there’s a polychrome wood carving of the Virgin of Begoña ('Amatxu' to locals) from the 14th century. Sailors often used to name their boats after her, and every 15 August (Assumption) and 11 October (Feast of Begoña), the place fills with pilgrims.

Finally in 1950, this opera house could open up its doors, after a war period when all opera and theatre stages in Gdansk were destroyed by the Red Army. Since then it has been well visited by a cultural interested crowd. Several different music and dance performances are held here every year.

The St Nicholas Stairway is a long, steep staircase that provides a direct route from the lower city up to the entrance of Patras Castle. While the original stone steps have been replaced with a modern concrete version, the climb is rewarded with some of the best panoramic views in the city, encompassing the urban landscape, the Gulf of Patras, and dramatic sunsets. It is a popular spot for photographs and a quiet evening vantage point.