Many visitors like to return from the Basque country with a chic beret, which locals call txapelas. The best selection is found at Sombreros Gorostiaga, Calle Victor 9 (tel. 94-416-12-76), a family-owned business since 1857. They also sell woolen caps and hunting caps. If you'd like to purchase Basque artisanal products, head for Basandere, Calle Iparraguirre 4 (tel. 94-423-63-86; www.basandere.com), near the Guggenheim Museum. Their crafts are of high quality, and every 3 months they stage exhibitions by local artists. In addition, the shop sells gourmet Basque food items.
There are lots of art galleries other than the Guggenheim to explore in Bilbao. One of them, Sala Rekalde, 30 Alameda Recalde (tel. 94-406-87-55), is within walking distance of the Guggenheim. The Gran Hotel Domine, Alameda de Mazarredo 61 (tel. 94-425-33-00), also has a small art gallery across from the Guggenheim.
