Bilbao

May, June and September are good months to visit, when the weather is generally fine and hotel prices dip outside of peak season; it’s also just about warm enough to hit the beach.

In August, it can be hard to find a room – especially after the 15th, when the city holds its biggest festival, the nine-day Aste Nagusia.

Bilbao, like the rest of the Basque Country, gets plenty of rain, especially in the autumn and winter. But because the main attractions are indoors, it won’t dampen your fun – just bring an umbrella.

Bilbao’s airport, with its terminal designed by Santiago Calatrava, is linked by bus A3247 to the Bilbao Intermodal metro station every half hour. Taxis are a swift and affordable option, too – it’s a 15-minute drive to the centre.

Although Bilbao has excellent bus and metro systems and taxis in the busiest spots, you’ll probably have little reason to need them, as the Guggenheim and other museums are all within walking distance of the Casco Viejo (Old Town) – the metro is, however, very handy for the beaches.

Because of its complex topography and signage (sometimes only in the Basque language) driving can be a bit of an adventure here: a sat-nav will help you out.