Mick and I were waiting for this cable car to arrive so we could catch it to the top of Mount Artxanda. We thought we were so lucky to be there just as it was arriving, and we were invited to get on by the driver. However, we stood in one of the carriages for about 10 minutes while more people came to join us. Eventually there was no more room and some people were told to wait for the next one.

The cable car has been operating here since 1915 and is one of the ways locals use to get up to the top of some of the steep hills that surround the city. We could use our Barik card for the ride – about 42 cents each. Other ways to get up the steep hills include a number of elevators located in different locations.

Once we arrived at the top, we were surprised that there were not cafés and bars nearby to cater for the 100+ people arriving every 15 minutes. But there was a beautiful park with some winding walks and lots more steps.

We decided we’d have morning tea down at the bottom of the track before walking back across the Nervión River to catch the tram home.

The view from the highest point, after catching both elevators and looking down on Casco Viejo, really consisted of a lot of roof tops, but again, the spire of the cathedral was the most noticeable point.

We crossed the river again, a little later, for a late lunch at a café recommended by the Walking Tour guide – Café Iruña. It is the oldest bar in BIlbao and was established in 1903. On our way we passed by the theatre which had its doors open, so we snuck a look.

The café we were after was so busy, we found one nearby and had a wine each at one bar, before heading almost next door to a pub that sold Guinness.

After those two brief stops, the café I had wanted to visit (Café Iruña) had a vacant table inside (which is our preferred location because no smoking is allowed inside). So we decided to stop despite time running out for us to get to our next booking.

The walls were tiled beautifully and featured the names of different types of drinks you could purchase. It was such a popular place, with people coming and going, including some with dogs, which are definitely welcome here.

As it turned out, we made the boat tour with a few minutes to spare.

Later in the evening we headed back to the neighbourhood streets for a few (more) drinks and some dinner.

NB – it seems like we are enjoying quite a few drinks each day while we are in Spain, but we are just trying to keep up with the locals. In the mid morning it is just as common to see a small group of elderly women enjoying a glass of white wine or a vermouth as it is to see them sipping a coffee. It just feels OK here!

And perhaps that is why most people enjoy a little siesta each day.