Here we are on the Zubizuri, Bilbao’s famous white pedestrian bridge, stretching gracefully over the Nervión River. Zubi zuri means white bridge in Basque. The bridge curves gently over the water, with tall white cables holding it up so it seems almost like it’s floating. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava, the Spanish architect who was famous for making steel and concrete look almost alive. Look around and take in the views. Ahead, you’ll spot the Guggenheim Museum’s shiny curves and the twin glass Isozaki Towers. These modern skyscrapers are named after the Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. The bridge may look delicate, but it’s quite stable so feel free to step on it without any worry. That said, the bridge has had quite a controversial past. Its walkway was originally made of glass bricks. When sunlight shone through them, it looked fantastic. But people soon realized that glass can get very slippery when it rains. Many falls, twisted ankles, and a few bruised behinds later, the city finally added a non-slip surface. However, this made the architect, Calatrava, so mad that he even sued the city for altering his design. Thankfully, everyone came to their senses and agreed that safety came before style. Then, in two thousand six, the city added a stairway to the Isozaki Towers. And once again, Calatrava was outraged. Because nothing says architectural disaster like a tiny stairway. Eventually, a court sided with the city and awarded him a small compensation for the emotional damage, proving that architects have a flair for drama. Despite all this fuss, the Zubizuri is a photographer’s delight. On days when the lights reflect off the wet walkway, it makes the bridge look like it’s floating in a fairy tale. Some locals even joke that if you cross it fast enough, you might feel like you’re walking on water. As you move toward Bilbao’s arts district, you’ll pass the riverside lined with sculptures, landscaping, and the promise of the Guggenheim just ahead. And keep your eyes open for Maman, the giant spider as you follow the map.