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A taste of Brussels
Brussels, Belgium
You can expect just about anything from a city capable of exporting the best chocolate in the world and home to world-famous Brussel sprouts. The Belgian capital is a city of contrasts that will always leave you with a good taste in your mouth
Be a txikitero, my friend
Bilbao, Spain

In Bilbao there are not residents, there are txikiteros. Txikiteros are names given to those who drink txikitos, small glasses of wine served in the bars.

 

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From Madrid to heaven (or so they say)
Madrid, Spain
One of Madrid's most popular sayings is that there's only one hard to visit the latter, let's begin with the former.
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Our prices are good; our offers, even better. We have incredible discounts devised just for you. Find out about them by clicking here. Ah! And remember to give us your email so you can be the first to discover our offers, events and openings. 
Culture and art
A stroll through Molenbeek, the capital’s most modern neighbourhood
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Culture and art
Culture and art

Bilbao

Bilbao offers the traveller many stimulating options. It’s a vibrant, cosmopolitan city wich at times can be a littñe overwhelming. That's why it’s important to find a refuge like Latroupe La Granja, the best lodging to recharge your batteries.
 

Number 2 Plaza Circular in Bilbao is a special place. In 1926 on its ground floor the mythic Café La Granja opened, executed in the art nouveau style. It soon became the city’s cultural epicentre. That’s why Latroupe decided to maintain the name and the spirit of this literary café when it chose this building for its new hostel. Its central location and the importance of the enclave give this hostel a local Basque and very neighbourhood character.

Solving the Bilbao puzzle
Bilbao is a puzzle. The disordered growth of this unique city means that each area has its own personality.  
 
The old part of the town (the Casco Viejo) makes up the heart of Bilbao which is still constantly beating with power. It’s easy to get lost in this elegant area while sampling wines and local tapas (pintxos). The promenade along the estuary, crowned by the ultramodern Guggenheim Museum, offers one of the most impressive views in the city. Then there’s the grey periphery, which swung up in a disorderly way in the 1980s leading to a gritty and amusing city. Or you can visit the largest covered fresh food market in Europe and see why the food is so important here. All these pieces make up a unique mosaic. To make sure each piece fits ztogether perfectly, the best thing to have is a local host. Or to stay at Latroupe.
Plaza Nueva
This neoclassical rectangular plaza has 18 arches on two sides and 15 on the other ones. It was built in the middle of the 19th century and is now a point of reference in the Casco Viejo. Here you can find some of the best restaurants and pintxo bars in Bilbao. Interestingly, the Plaza Nueva was going to be called the Plaza de Fernando VII and was going to have an equestrian statue of the monarch in the centre. But the king died during construction, and so authorities dedicated the plaza to the people. 
Guggenheim Museum
Now a symbol of the city, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao constitues one of the most ambitious cultural projects of the 20th century. The Guggenheim is a contemporary art museum designed by the Canadian architect Frank O Gerhy. Its permanent collection includes works of art by prominent artists from the past four decades. After getting your fill on the art, you can do the same thing with good pintxos and get the local tapas. The museum's terrace has one surprinsing views of Bilbao that blend perfectly with the restaurant's local cuisine.
Through the Estuary by boat
A good way to discover the history of Bilbao and its architecture is from another perspective, Maybe you can even surprise your partner (we promise we won't reveal the idea wasn't yours) take a boat ride along Bilbao's famous estuary. Be sure to take advantage of this boat ride because the estuary runs through the centre of the city. You will be able to admire the Guggenheim before passing throug Zorrozaurre and the Portugalete Bridge. The trip lasts only an hour if you want to go through the city but if you have more time, you can take the two hour trip that goes out to the sea. Some tickets allow you to get on and off as often as you like on the same day.
Bilbao’s Mercado de la Ribera
Do you want to see something in Bilbao that has won a Guiness World Record? El mercado de la Ribera near to the Church of Saan Antón was recognized as the most complete municipal food market by the Guinnes Book of Wordl Records. The Mercado was built in 1929 and was designed by the architect Pedro de Ispizua. It is located on a ship anchored next to the estuary and produces all kinds of delicacies from its 56 stalls. You can even let the resident chef preoare whatever you have bought. All this is accompanied by an interesting and attractive offer of cultural activities such as exhibitions, fashion shows, films, storytelling, children's thatre, jazz concerts, and all kinds of workshops.
What’s happening at Latroupe?
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