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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Bilbao's recognisable and famous urban revolution has extended to all urban elements. It is not only avant-garde buildings that contrast with monumental buildings with classical and traditional roots.
Some of these contrasts are what have created the most beautiful places in Bilbao and where being able to immortalise the moment becomes necessary. Although not everything is grandiose, from the consistory measures are also taken thinking about the welfare of the youngest; the children.
For this reason, the city of Bilbao has committed itself to the creation of playground covers for the city's playgrounds, as well as the creation of new corners dedicated to children's leisure.
Add these places to your route of family plans in Bilbao, because they will become an obligatory stop on your itinerary.
The Bilbao City Council states that they have already roofed a total of fourteen playgrounds, counting the newly built ones with some that already existed and had a roof built over them. These are some of the best.
We start at Botica Vieja Park, which has two playgrounds, although the one furthest away from Deusto Bridge is the one with the swings covered under a roof. Although it may seem that the construction of the roof was done for the rain, it has also been done with the hot summer days in mind.
In addition, under the Euskalduna Bridge there is also a skating rink for those little adventurers willing to take their adventure to the next level.
Without going too far from the previous park, let's take a walk to the Parque de Ribera next to the Deusto Bridge, where the park with its green areas and surroundings are so beautiful that the last thing you will notice is the covered swings near the quay.
Makaldi Park, in Bilbao's Otxarkoaga neighbourhood, has a new roof over the children's area covering just over 400 square metres. It is also equipped with everything necessary to make this stop a success for the youngest members of the family, who will enjoy the fantastic slides and swings.
Inside the Peña park, the swings are located under a marquee that is designed for the cold and the heat. Not only that, but there are also showers and water jets for when the temperature rises in the summer months.
In addition, your children will be delighted when they see the zip line that this park has. You can enjoy tables and benches to relax while the little ones have a great time.
We go down through the city to cross the Ensanche and the Old Quarter to reach the southern area where the Gernika Zugazagoitia Gardens are located. Here what partially covers the square is not a roof but a dome, leaving both covered and exposed areas to enjoy the sun on a good day.
In the southern part of the Basurto Zorroza neighbourhood is the Plaza Errekalde, closed to cars in the surrounding area which makes it a completely safe place for children. In addition to its covered children's area, it has a concrete football pitch, toilets, a stage for different performances and, what parents will love the most, bars to enjoy pintxos and some of the best local produce in Bilbao.
We go up again, crossing the town from south to north, perhaps a good time to escape and try the best Pintxos bars in Bilbao, to get to the island of Zorrotzaurre, the Basque Manhattan.
We don't cross over to get there, but stay on the waterfront to go to Avenida Zarandoa and let the children enjoy a completely renovated children's play area with, of course, its new roof.
A few steps further north, we come to the great Andaluzia Enparantza square, where the number and variety of swings for children will make the walk worthwhile. It is also one of the best kept and cleanest parks in the whole area.
South of the Zabalburu train station, three straight canopies protect the swings and slides in this small playground from the sun and rain. Its accessories are designed for small children, the age limit being around ten years old.
Children's play area in Santutxu, specifically in Georgia Street. This is one of the most recently built indoor playgrounds. The play area, which covers an area of over 400 square metres, consists of swings and slides for children aged 2 to 12.
In Zorrotzaurre, the little ones can enjoy 350 square metres of games and laughter thanks to the fantastic facilities that range from several slides of original design to climbing ropes and a wooden pyramid. All of this is sheltered by the large roof.
In Bilbao's 8th district, the Basurto-Zorroza neighbourhood in the east of the city, we find one of the parks with the most avant-garde roofs. As if they were giant, modern solar panels, two circular roofs, one black and the other blue, protect the children from the inclemency of the weather on Sabino Arana Avenue.
Very close to the Plaza del Funicular, a stop you should add to your guide of the most important monuments and places in Bilbao, is the Plaza Jesus Insausti Playground. Its size is smaller than previous squares and its facilities are somewhat more humble, but its age range is wide, from zero to twelve years old, it is very well looked after and, of course, you won't have to worry about the weather.
Some parks, such as those located in Calle Cocherito in Bilbao, the fantastic children's area in the well-known Parque Europa and Parque Etxeberría, are planning to cover their areas with playgrounds due to the tremendous success and acceptance of this measure.
