Rental cars in Bilbao from $43

If your trip to Bilbao is all booked but your travel itinerary is a little on the empty side, we can give you a helping hand.Think of Bilbao and then say the first thing that springs to mind. You probably said "Guggenheim Museum Bilbao," right? Being such an iconic attraction, you can't miss seeing it. Toss your luggage into the back seat and check it off your bucket list.Soak up the best of what this place has to offer by adding Santiago Cathedral and Zubizuri Bridge to your itinerary. If you have an extra day up your sleeve, drop by Plaza Moyua and Bilbao Fine Arts Museum too.Not far from the heart of the city, San Mames Stadium is one sight to consider putting on your must-see list. If you still have room on that itinerary, Arriaga Theater and Bilbao City Hall will keep you entertained as well.

Nothing screams vacation like loading up the car with supplies and heading to the coast. Bilbao has some amazing beaches nearby, so grab a good book (and a kite if it's breezy) and take a day trip to one of these idyllic options:

• Ereaga (7 miles away).
• Arrigunaga Beach (8 miles away).
• Sopelana Beach (9 miles away).

Hang out with the locals while you're in Bilbao by heading to an event at one of the top convention centers. There are some exciting things on, so take a look at the schedule and set aside a date. Recommended places include:

• Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall (1 mile away).
• Bilbao Exhibition Centre (4 miles away).