Plaza Circular
Plaza Circular
3.5
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The area
Neighbourhood: Abando
How to get there
- Abando • 1 min walk
- Moyua • 7 min walk
Best nearby
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Restaurants
1,550 within 3 miles
Attractions
137 within 6 miles
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3.5
155 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
42
Average
74
Poor
12
Terrible
4
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK185,662 contributions
Dec 2022
This public square is actually circular. So much so, it’s in the name. The plaza is better known for the number of prominent buildings than for anything else. These include the BBVA tower, the El Corte Inglés shopping mall, Santander Bank building on the northwest corner and the old BBK bank building now owned by Bilbao Council. There’s not a lot of cafes on the plaza itself, except for La Granja Cafe and the monument to D. Diego López de Haro, the founder of the city.
Written 22 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian C
London, UK23,724 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
The newer part of Bilbao is a refined area of broad avenues and squares surrounded by elegant buildings, a joy to explore. Look upwards and you will see beautiful architecture all around you.
The late 20th century developments were not kind to Bilbao. While the city and the Guggenheim commissioned top international architects for key projects, developers left an unhappy legacy. One on this plaza is undergoing refurbishment. Demolition would have been better, but no doubt economically unsustainable. The shame is that the images of the refurbished building looks no better than the previous one. A total mirror glass solution would at least have reflected other buildings, or the designers could have provided something with more articulation as in the new buildings on the way to the Guggenheim.
A missed opportunity!
The late 20th century developments were not kind to Bilbao. While the city and the Guggenheim commissioned top international architects for key projects, developers left an unhappy legacy. One on this plaza is undergoing refurbishment. Demolition would have been better, but no doubt economically unsustainable. The shame is that the images of the refurbished building looks no better than the previous one. A total mirror glass solution would at least have reflected other buildings, or the designers could have provided something with more articulation as in the new buildings on the way to the Guggenheim.
A missed opportunity!
Written 12 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SoonerSteve
Delray Beach, FL1,762 contributions
You must walk Bilbao to truly enjoy it. While there are plazas of greater interest this is where Gran Via transitions from the old town to the shopping and commercial district.
Written 29 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrapr
London, United Kingdom75 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
One of the most circular plazas I have ever seen. A triumph of circularity.
Written 3 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cymro
Coimbra, Portugal3,312 contributions
Sept 2019
I visited the Plaza Circular during the day and at night. It has nothing really to recommend it as it is just a large roundabout with a tall statue in the middle. Definitely not worth making a special effort to visit.
Written 17 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonard-cree
Drogheda, Ireland132 contributions
Sept 2017
lovely place this would go back anytime.stayed here 3 days.walked round a lot.there are two irish bars in town one is the wicklow bar.they talk english.and you can get food.the other is over the road down the steet called molly malones..an irish bar that cant talk english...nice place bilbao liked it...
Written 30 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,489 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Very busy circle in the center of town, but not pretty or charming. Very convenient for public transit and walking to many sites.
Written 7 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MACKIE901
Dundee, UK62 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
This plaza is always busy and is on the Gran Via, one of the main shopping and business avenues in Bilbao. It has a good tourist information office and there are lots of interesting side streets running off of it. It's not necessarily a must see but it passes a pleasant hour or two strolling in the surrounding area admiring the buildings.
Written 6 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MDowning1973
Hertford, UK318 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
This has a central location and so gets footfall. There's no real reason why this should get a separate mention as a place to see. You'll walk through it and barely realise it's a thing to 'see'.
Written 22 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rachelfrmn2016
Zaragoza, Spain7 contributions
Oct 2016
This was a very interesting place to visit. The Architecture was varied and the square had a pleasant ambience.
Bilbao was a surprise , we only went there to catch the ferry back to the UK. thinking, being a Port city that it would not have offered so many places to visit. We stayed at Kobetamendi motorhome parking, wow what a position , it overlooks the city , fabulous spot to spend a few days. Easy access to the city, just catch No. 58 bus, they run every 15 mins during the week and every 30mins at weekends. Highly recommended.
Bilbao was a surprise , we only went there to catch the ferry back to the UK. thinking, being a Port city that it would not have offered so many places to visit. We stayed at Kobetamendi motorhome parking, wow what a position , it overlooks the city , fabulous spot to spend a few days. Easy access to the city, just catch No. 58 bus, they run every 15 mins during the week and every 30mins at weekends. Highly recommended.
Written 9 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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