While living in Madrid I made a weekend break up to the north of Spain to spend some time in Bilbao. Arriving here by train is such a breeze and finding an AirBnB or couchsurfer to host you is always an option. This city is known for its pintxos, grittiness and artistic chops. Creative-entrepreneurial spaces like these always catch my fancy and whet my appetite to the adventures that can be had even when being pressed for time. Making sure my travel is always budget-conscious, if nothing else, is always at the top of my mind. So here are my suggestions for how to spend a short, impactful time in this vibrant city.