Words You’ll Want to Learn if You’re Visiting Bilbao

SOME COME FROM BASQUE, OTHERS FROM LOCAL TRADITION.
KNOWING THEM WILL HELP YOU GET AROUND THE CITY MORE EASILY.

CONVERSATION

Aupa: our local way of saying “hello”.
Kaixo: also means “hello”.
Agur: the most common way to say goodbye.
Bai: Yes.
Ez: No.
Eskerrik asko: translates as “thank you very much”.

Etxea means home in Basque. Jatetxea literally means house of food.

PLACES

Kalea: you’ll see this word often – it means “street” in Basque.
Sagardotegi: traditional Basque cider house.
Txosna: street stall set up during local festivities, serving food and drink.
Taberna: the Basque word for “bar”.
Jatetxea: our local way of saying “restaurant”.
Azoka: street market or fair, featuring local produce and handmade goods.

THE EXQUISITE ART OF POTEAR

Potear: hopping from bar to bar, enjoying a small drink and a pintxo at each stop.

What to Order for a Bite

Pintxo: Small bite of our cuisine, typically eaten in 2-3 mouthfuls. Bars often have a whole counter full of them.
Gilda: one of the most classic pintxos in the Basque Country – a skewer with anchovy, green olive and pickled chilli. You’ll find countless delicious variations.
Salda: in the colder months, you’ll often see bars with signs that say “salda dago” – it means they serve hot broth, perfect to warp you up.
Talo: a thin handmade corn flatbread.

Unamuno Square is the perfect starting point to go pintxo hopping.

What to Order to Drink

Txikito: fancy a small glass of red wine? Ask for a txikito.
Zurito: prefer beer? A zurito is a small glass of draught beer.
Kalimotxo: a classic Basque mix of red wine and Coca-Cola.
Sagardoa: traditional Basque cider – lightly alcoholic and naturally fermented.
Txakoli: a slightly sparkling white wine, ideal as an aperitif or with pintxos.
Pika: like your beer with lemon? Ask for a pika, Bilbao’s version of a Radler.
Katxi: popular during local festivities – drinks are served in katxis, large 1-litre plastic cups meant for sharing.
Patxaran: a sloe liqueur originally from Navarra – perfect as a digestif.

For a rich pintxo experience, check out our restaurant.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE VISITING BILBAO?

If you want to experience Bilbao like a true local, choose a hotel run by people from here.

Ours is a family-run hotel where we want you to feel at home. Located in the heart of the Old Quarter, you can walk out our front door and explore the city on foot.

And if home means having your own kitchen, check availability at Batimont Suites, our aparthotel option.