Cooking vacations in Bilbao

Cooking vacations are becoming increasingly popular with tourists who are looking for a unique and amazing way to experience Spanish culture. Food lovers, gourmets and cooking tourists lap up these kind of experiences.

Do not hesitate to be immersed in a unique cooking experience that will make your stay in Bilbao most memorable.

Some visitors combine the cooking courses with cultural visits to nearby villages and cities (Vitoria, San Sebastián), local fishing villages or take advantage of the opportunity to learn Spanish by taking part in intensive Spanish courses or relaxed individual classes.

Natives in the Basque region take pride in the quality of their food, whether it is the traditional main dishes or its selection of pinchos (the Basque variety of Tapas). Due to the proximity of the Sea, Basque cuisine centres on fish and seafood. The specialties include bachalao pil-pil” (cod fish) and baby squid in ink.

It is very common for the Basque people to spend their evening moving from bar to bar, sampling the different pinchos and drinking wine. Tapas can be a meal in itself, with the different varieties of hams, cheeses, seafood and vegetables. Bilbao is situated just an hour away from La Rioja, Spain´s main wine region, and so pinchos are washed down with a glass of wine or two!

These cooking vacations allow tourists to experience the Basque food and culture through cooking classes in Bilbao and San Sebastian, as well as eating in renowned restaurants and seeing the sights of Bilbao.

You can enjoy Bilbao`s selection of world renowned Michelin star restaurants with their exquisite dishes. However, there is much more to experience in Bilbao. For starters, you cannot visit this city without seeing the exceptional Guggenheim museum. It is Frank Gehry´s amazing design which has helped re-invent Bilbao over the last 10 years into the modern, thriving city it is today. Having said that, Bilbao is also home to old architecture and it´s old town Casco Viejo”has lovely little side streets and cafes which contrast the modernity brought to Bilbao by the Guggenheim and other recent additions.

Other attractions include the Museo de belles Artes (Museum of Fine Arts), the shopping in Bilbao´s centre, the beautiful beaches along the coast and the breath taking views from the mountains. All in all, Bilbao is a wonderful city which is a must-see for culinary enthusiasts.

Instituto Hemingway can arrange these cooking vacations. We will arrange your accommodation, cooking classes, any restaurant reservations you request and any trips or visits you wish to do. Furthermore, we can provide an airport pick-up and a tour guide in English, French or German. If you wish to learn a little Spanish we have various options which allow you to communicate in Spanish from the first day with individual or group classes.