Bilbao La Vieja (Bilbi) is the Brooklyn of Bilbao.
Bilbao La Vieja (Bilbi) named the Brooklyn of Bilbao
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Bilbao La Vieja (Bilbi) the Brooklyn of Bilbao.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Bilbao's verdict went to Bilbao La Vieja (Bilbi) ahead of Indautxu, Deusto and Iralabarri, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Bilbao La Vieja, or Bilbi, the Brooklyn of Bilbao. Graffiti on the facades, natural wine in the glass, heavy pours at honest prices, and nobody performing cool - it just is. Locals are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Bilbao La Vieja (Bilbi)'s independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Bilbao verdict: brooklynof.com/bilbao
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/bilbao
Runner-up neighborhoods: Indautxu, Deusto, Iralabarri
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.