The Tayko Bilbao puts you where Bilbao began. It occupies a building of 1924 on the Calle de la Ribera, the riverside street of the old town, the Casco Viejo, beside the La Merced bridge and a short walk from the Mercado de la Ribera, one of the largest covered food markets in Europe. The architects kept the historic structure and modernised the interior with steel, glass and polished concrete, creating a lively mix of industrial and classic touches, and the building is considered of notable architectural value by the Basque tourism authority. There are 61 rooms, from simple comfortable doubles to junior suites, plus family rooms with a sofa bed; all are soundproofed, with king-size beds, climate control, smart TVs, kettles and safes, and many look over the estuary. Dining is the hotel’s other calling card: the restaurant Ola Martín Berasategui, led by the celebrated Basque chef, serves modern and traditional Basque cooking in a gastronomic setting, and there is a wine cellar and a bar. Guests have a free gym and a chill-out area, the hotel accepts dogs, and, rarely for the old town, it has a private car park right in front. From the door, the Seven Streets of the Casco Viejo, the cathedral of Santiago, the Plaza Nueva with its pintxo bars and the Arriaga theatre are all within a few minutes’ walk.
Location and getting around: the hotel is at Ribera 13, on the edge of the Casco Viejo by the Nervión. The Plaza Nueva and the Seven Streets are a few minutes away, the Arriaga theatre and the Casco Viejo metro station are close, and the Guggenheim is about twenty minutes on foot along the river or a short tram ride. The Abando train station, with services along the coast, is across the bridge.
Rooms: choose a river-view room for the light and the view of the market and the bridges, or an interior room if you value total quiet. Family rooms with a sofa bed are useful for parents with one child.
Who it suits: food lovers, first-timers who want to stay in the historic heart, couples, families and drivers, who will appreciate the car park in a district of narrow streets.
Good to know: the restaurant is a special-occasion choice and should be booked ahead; for everyday eating, the pintxo bars of the Plaza Nueva are steps away. Ask about breakfast and parking conditions when you book. The old town is lively in the evenings, especially at weekends, which is part of its charm.
Why stay here
- ✓Ola Martín Berasategui restaurant
- ✓Wine cellar and bar
- ✓Free gym
- ✓Private car park in front of the hotel
- ✓Soundproofed rooms with king-size beds
- ✓Family rooms with sofa bed
- ✓Chill-out area
- ✓Dogs allowed
Good questions
Where is the Hotel Tayko in Bilbao?+
It is at Ribera 13, on the riverside edge of the Casco Viejo next to the La Merced bridge. The Ribera market and the Plaza Nueva are a few minutes away.
Does the Tayko Bilbao have parking?+
Yes, it has a private car park in front of the hotel, which is rare in the old town. Ask about conditions when you book.
Who runs the restaurant at the Tayko?+
The restaurant is Ola Martín Berasategui, led by the celebrated Basque chef. It serves modern and traditional Basque cuisine and should be booked ahead.