Built from the late 14th to the 15th centuries, the Santiago Cathedral is the city’s oldest major church, dedicated to Saint James (Santiago), Bilbao's patron saint. The building features a mix of different styles: its core is Gothic (nave, vault, cloister), a grand Renaissance portico was added in the 1500s, while much of the façade and tower with spire were rebuilt in a neo-Gothic style in the late 1800s by Severino de Achúcarro. Inside, you’ll see three naves, several side chapels, the Gothic cloister accessible via the Door of the Angel ('Puerta del Ángel'), and beyond the main altar, there’s an ambulatory with chapels. Floods in 1983 caused damage, but the cathedral was restored and reopened around 2000.

The King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa, commonly known as the Kiswa Factory, offers a unique glimpse into the creation of the sacred black cloth that drapes the Kaaba. Here, visitors can observe the meticulous process where over 200 skilled artisans weave black silk and embroider intricate Quranic verses with gold and silver thread. The factory blends traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, underscoring the immense care and reverence invested in this annual tradition. A visit provides a profound understanding of the artistry and devotion behind one of Islam's most revered symbols.

Plaza Nueva is Bilbao’s oldest surviving square, built in 1849. Pop by for some coffee, watch locals and visitors pass by, or try some of the city’s top pintxos. Café Bar Bilbao is one of the most famous here, known for its squid pintxo and the ham-and-onion version, which are local favourites.

At Alofaaga Blowholes, witness jets of water forced hundreds of feet in the air. These impressive blowholes are found near the village of Taga, on southwest Savaii, so come here to have a look and if you are lucky you also notice some locals throwing coconuts into the holes, which then are blasted back into the air!