Bilbao is green, with spacious, leafy gardens. It’s a city to explore on foot, run around its parks and sail along its estuary; to take your first steps towards discovering art, learn about history with Playmobil figures and get around almost as people did at the beginning of the 20th century. Bilbao with kids is all this, plus seven more experiences.

Jeff Koons created Puppy, among other things, to draw visitors in. And it certainly works with children. How could it not, with a giant West Highland Terrier covered in flowering plants? Once you’re there, getting the children through the museum entrance should be easy. Inside, there’s plenty to learn and discover, too. Works such as Richard Serra’s vast The Matter of Time, with its curves you can walk through; the incredible forms of Jorge Oteiza’s work, which will have them wondering what they’re looking at; Yoko Ono’s Wish Tree, where they can write down what they hope for the future; and neon-lit installations that will surprise them as they step into a new gallery all make it easy. And yes, there are children’s workshops that are updated regularly, too.

Discover the city from a different perspective, right at water level on the Nervión, and admire its architecture without tiring yourselves out with long walks. You can also learn about its history and the stories behind its streets, thanks to the audio guide provided by Bilboats, a company specialising in this kind of tour. One of its options is Navegando Bilbao. This return trip runs between City Hall Bridge and the Ribera de Zorrotzaurre and lasts 60 minutes. For the more adventurous, Bilbobentura organises scheduled kayaking and paddleboarding trips.

The journey takes about three minutes, so it may feel all too brief, but it’s enough to get your trip to Artxanda off to an exciting start. The 770.34-metre route covers an elevation difference of 226.49 metres, ending at the top of this iconic hill. There, you can go hiking, take in the city views from the lookout, learn about the past by finding out more about the enormous sculpture called La Huella (The Footprint) that you’ll come across on your walk, and enjoy a picnic in the designated picnic area.

Get up close to a 30-tonne crane, visit a classic schooner and learn about Bilbao’s maritime heritage. You can do all this at the Itsasmuseum maritime museum. Permanent and temporary exhibitions, objects, artefacts, digital resources and large vessels all feature in the museum’s offering, which has plenty for younger visitors, too. They’ll love it—and with good reason. One of the highlights is the chance to discover the Carola crane: red, imposing and tall (60 metres), it was once used in shipbuilding. They can also board a classic schooner, the Atyla training ship (check availability in advance), take part in an escape room and learn more in the museum’s educational room. Alongside games and learning resources, it features scenes recreating the museum’s exhibits using Playmobil figures.

Bilbao is made for it. Doña Casilda Park, in the Abando district, covers thousands of square metres. It’s easy to say, though it took a little longer to achieve: the project got underway around 1907, and many of the features you can wander among were still being added some 15 years later. There are ponds with ducks and swans, monuments, fountains, a pergola and, of course, a children’s play area. Along the Abandoibarra riverside promenade, between the Guggenheim Museum and the Euskalduna Palace, you’ll find almost 48,000 square metres of space to enjoy beside the Bilbao estuary: green spaces, walkways, a wooden jetty, a playground with swings and even an interactive fountain.

More specifically, among the 43 columns in the Atrium of Azkuna Zentroa’s Cultures, Bilbao’s centre for contemporary society and culture. This is a welcoming space where you can spend time freely, and a handy shelter on rainy days. The centre also has a Mediateka with a children’s collection and workshops for younger visitors, held in the Txikiteka.

Have a snack—but make it a proper treat, and try one of the classic sweet treats of Bilbao. Carolina pastries are a big hit with children. It’s not just their fun cone shape or soft texture; the meringue topped with chocolate and egg yolk has a lot to do with it, too. They’re easy to find: just pop into a bakery, as they’re a regular feature in shop windows. That said, the ones at Martina Zuricalday, the oldest artisan bakery in the Basque Country, are especially popular.

To enjoy Bilbao as a family, choose centrally located accommodation and you’ll be able to get around easily between the city’s main attractions. Sercotel has three hotels in the city: Sercotel Arenal Bilbao, right by the Old Town; Sercotel Ayala, in the heart of the city; and Sercotel Coliseo Bilbao, also centrally located and with rooms for families. You can explore the city on foot, then relax after a day of adventures with the little ones.