Bilbao is the Spanish version of Detroit, a large, industrial steel town that has swallowed the surrounding communities. Although it may not be a touristy spot like Valencia or the Costa del Sol, it has its own quiet charm and history.

Bilbao is a seaport city set on the Nervión River, near the Bay of Biscay. The chief point of interest here is the Casco Viejo or Old Quarter, on the right bank of the Nervión. Here you'll find the sights that Bilbao has to offer: the Gothic Church of Santiago which dates from the 14th century, the elegantly arcaded Plaza Nueva, the stunning Teatro Arriaga.

You'd never guess that a 1983 flood devastated the area from the restored gothic-style buildings that line the narrow streets. It's in these streets that you'll find the best bars and restaurants.

Military buffs will remember that Bilbao was the capital of a short-lived autonomous Basque state that was under Loyalist control during the Spanish civil war (1936-39).

Though typically quiet, the town of Bilbao rocks the house in August during the Semana Grande, a major annual bullfighting event in Bilbao. Tourists and locals mingle in the open-air bars to dance and drink in the streets all night long. Those who've experienced the Semana Grande compare it to Mardi Gras, with a wild and friendly atmosphere to match the famous Fat Tuesday.