The northern Spanish city of Bilbao is very different from other Spanish cities: a once-gritty industrial town is filled with world-class art museums, impressive modern architecture, and references to the great treasures of Basque culture. Look to the left, and you’ll see a futuristic tram silently gliding along the old street—to the right, the river is lined with pastel, crackling buildings seemingly untouched since they were built. Every corner in Bilbao yields a highly visual and oddly surprising twist.   A city of contrasts, Bilbao has the unexpected duality of things to do, see, and eat in an urban landscape dotted with elements of a country setting with stunning landscapes just outside the city center. A venerable dining scene that offers everything from pintxos to 40 Michelin-starred restaurants in a charming location along the Nervion River.