The Graffiti and Murals of the Marzana Quay

Bilbao is also be discovered by looking at walls, bridges and walks along the water. On the Marzana quay and in the surrounding area between Bilbao La Vieja and the estuary across from the old city, street art has become one of distinguishing features of the neighbourhood.

Bilbao La Vieja is an area where numerous artists have made works on buildings, walls and bridges, to the point where it’s a kind of open-air gallery.

Part of the charm of this spot lies precisely in the mixture of riverfront past and urban creativity. Marzana can’t be understood as just as area with side walk cafés across from the old city, rather it’s one of the places where you can best see the more artistic, changing and contemporary side of Bilbao.

The interesting thing with talking about the graffiti and murals of Marzana is that it’s not just a single work. Several murals have been appearing in this area, some of them are related with specific artists and others with the creative ecosystem of Bilbao La Vieja, where street art has been gaining prominence for years. The the route of this neighbourhood’s walls is one of the obvious attractions, and several public references show work done around the quay, paths under bridges and walls nearby.

In addition, the area itself reinforces the experience a lot. Marzana is located between the San Antón bridge and the La Ribera bridge, and you can get some of the most recognisable views of the estuary, the Ribera Market and the old city from there. That contrast between historic architecture, water and contemporary visual language makes the walk have a very marked personality.

Another point in favour is that the area is not limited to street art. Espacio Marzana, a gallery that shows emerging and consolidated art exhibitions, is nearby, as is the BilbaoArte area, which strengthens the idea of Marzana as a small creative hotspot in the city even more.

This spot lets you discover a different Bilbao, one that is more alternative, visual and tightly bound to the artistic life of the neighbourhood. That reading is an opinion, but it’s supported by how the tourism sources present Bilbao La Vieja and Marzana as areas for art, walking and a unique atmosphere.

The graffiti and murals of the Marzana quay are, without a doubt, a good excuse to walk the estuary in a different way. It’s a perfect plan for people who enjoy street art, walks with personality and those places where Bilbao shows itself to be less monumental and more alive.

What makes Marzana and its street art special 

• It’s part of the Bilbao La Vieja area, one of the areas of Bilbao most associated with street art.
• It combines murals, a walk by the estuary and views of the old city.
• It’s very close to creative spaces like Espacio Marzana and BilbaoArte.
• It lets you discover a more contemporary and artistic side of Bilbao. The latter is a reasonable deduction given the kind of area it is and its presentation in tourism sources.

Practical Information

Location: Marzana quay, around Bilbao La Vieja, across from the old city and between the bridges of San Antón and La Ribera

Perfect For: An urban walk, taking pictures, discovering murals and having a drink by the estuary.