World · 23 Places · Best May
Bilbao travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat pintxos in Bilbao, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain.
Bilbao is the largest city of the Basque Country and the capital of the province of Biscay (Bizkaia), with about 346,000 residents (INE, 2024) and roughly one million in the wider metropolitan area. It lies on the Nervion river about 15 km from the Bay of Biscay, and was chartered on 15 June 1300. Its medieval core, Casco Viejo with the Siete Calles, the Cathedral of Santiago, Plaza Nueva and the Mercado de la Ribera, sits on the right bank, while the Guggenheim Museum, opened on 18 October 1997, anchors the modern Abandoibarra riverside. The Funicular de Artxanda climbs to a city viewpoint, and Metro Bilbao, Bilbobus, Bizkaibus and the Euskotren tram link the centre with Bilbao Airport (BIO) at Loiu, the Vizcaya Bridge between Portugalete and Getxo (UNESCO since 2006), the beaches of Getxo, Sopelana and Bakio, and the coastal hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Bilbao is a centre of Basque pintxos culture, and the Basque and Spanish languages are both official. The climate is mild and oceanic: July highs near 25 C (77 F), January highs near 12 C (54 F), and rain falls in every season.
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The 23 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Frank Gehry's titanium-clad museum of modern and contemporary art, opened on 18 October 1997 beside the Nervion river. Exterior art includes Jeff Koons's Puppy, Louise Bourgeois's Maman spider and Anish Kapoor's Tall Tree and the Eye.
The medieval core of Bilbao, laid out around the seven original streets (Somera, Artekale, Tendería, Belostikale, Carnicería Vieja, Barrenkale and Barrenkale Barrena) on the right bank of the Nervion. Today it is a pedestrian district of pintxo bars, small shops and the Cathedral of Santiago.
The Gothic cathedral and parish church of Casco Viejo, begun in the 14th century and dedicated to Santiago (Saint James), on the pilgrim route known as the Camino del Norte. Its neo-Gothic spire and west front date from the 19th century.
A neoclassical arcaded square completed in 1821 and the social centre of Casco Viejo, home to some of the city's best-known pintxo bars and, each 21 December, the Santo Tomas market.
An Art Deco covered market opened in 1929 on the riverside of Casco Viejo, widely described as one of the largest covered food markets in Europe, with fish, meat and produce stalls and a food hall.
Bilbao's historic funicular, opened in 1915, climbs Mount Artxanda to a hilltop viewpoint with panoramic views of the Nervion valley, the Guggenheim and the old town.
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
A upscale hotel in Abando, Bilbao. About 0.1 km in a straight line from Plaza Moyúa.
Check rates on Booking.comA upscale hotel in Abandoibarra, Bilbao. About 0.5 km in a straight line from Plaza Moyúa.
Check rates on Booking.comA upscale hotel in Abando, Bilbao. About 0.6 km in a straight line from Plaza Moyúa.
Check rates on Booking.comA upscale hotel in Abandoibarra, Bilbao. About 0.8 km in a straight line from Plaza Moyúa.
Check rates on Booking.comCafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Historic pintxo bar on Plaza Nueva, open since 1911, known for a quail-egg pintxo and salt-cod al pil-pil.
Long-established Plaza Nueva bar and restaurant known for creative pintxos such as an Idiazabal cheese tartlet.
Plaza Nueva pintxo bar serving modern interpretations of Basque classics.
Small bar off Plaza Nueva with seafood, foie gras and cheese pintxos at about EUR 2 each.
Plaza Nueva taberna built around anchovies, with anchovy pintxos and a tasting menu.
Plaza Nueva bar known for chorizo made from jamón ibérico.
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Bilbao is compact and mostly flat along the Nervión river, so the Casco Viejo, Abando, the Guggenheim and the riverside are all walkable. Public transport is integrated through the Barik card: Metro Bilbao (lines L1, L2 and L3), the Euskotren tram along the river, Bilbobus city buses, the Artxanda funicular, Bizkaibus intercity buses and Euskotren and Renfe Cercanías trains. Metro L1 and L2 share the central stations Abando, Moyúa, Indautxu and Casco Viejo, and L1 continues to Getxo and the beaches at Plentzia.
Daily spend by tier in EUR, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 35-70 (about USD 40.25-80.5)/night hostel dorm or basic guesthouse | EUR 110-200 (about USD 126.5-230)/night 3-4-star hotel | EUR 300-600 (about USD 345-690)/night 5-star hotel or suite |
| Food (per day) | EUR 25-40 (about USD 28.75-46)/day using pintxos and a menu del dia | EUR 50-90 (about USD 57.5-103.5)/day pintxo crawl and restaurant dinners | EUR 120-250 (about USD 138-287.5)/day tasting menus and wine |
| Transportation | EUR 3-8 (about USD 3.45-9.2)/day on Metro and Bilbobus with a Barik card | EUR 5-15 (about USD 5.75-17.25)/day Metro, Bilbao Card and occasional taxi | EUR 30-100 (about USD 34.5-115)/day private transfers and taxis |
| Activities | EUR 0-20 (about USD 0-23)/day on free sights and one museum | EUR 20-50 (about USD 23-57.5)/day Guggenheim, a funicular ride and a day trip | EUR 60-200 (about USD 69-230)/day private tours and guided visits |
| Daily total | EUR 63-138 (about USD 72.45-158.7)/day | EUR 185-355 (about USD 212.75-408.25)/day | EUR 510-1150 (about USD 586.5-1322.5)/day |
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Basque Country.
May to June and September to early October
May, June and September combine mild temperatures, longer light and fewer showers than autumn and winter. Bilbao is a year-round city: museums, pintxo bars and indoor sights work in any weather, but a rain jacket is needed in every season. Beaches near Bilbao are best from late June to early September. These are long-term normals; confirm the forecast at aemet.es before travel.
Keep wallet and phone in front pockets or zipped bags in the Casco Viejo, on the Metro, in markets and during festivals
Carry ID or a copy of your passport; Spanish law requires identification to be carried
Use the official airport taxi rank or call a radio taxi (for example Radio Taxi Bilbao +34 94 444 88 88; confirm before relying on it) and check the meter is running
Never leave bags or phones on a bar or terrace table while ordering pintxos
Wear shoes with grip, because wet pavements are slippery, and carry an umbrella
Follow Euskalmet alerts for heavy rain, wind or flooding and avoid river paths during alerts
Report theft on 112 or online at denuncias.policia.es and keep the report for insurance claims
Swim only at beaches with a lifeguard and a green flag
Late at night, stay on busy streets and avoid isolated parts of Bilbao La Vieja and the river paths
Bilbao is a clean, orderly Basque city with a visible police presence from the Ertzaintza (Basque regional police) and the Policía Municipal. The realistic risks are opportunistic theft in the Casco Viejo, around Plaza Nueva, La Ribera market, Plaza Moyúa and the Guggenheim riverside, on busy Metro
The best time to visit Bilbao is May. Bilbao has an oceanic climate with mild winters, warm but not hot summers, and rain in every season. Annual rainfall is roughly 1,200 mm (about 125 rainy days), with July the driest month and November
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: no visa. US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens: visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 days under Schengen rules. Check the current status of the EU ETIAS travel authorisation before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so check with your nearest embassy or the official immigration website before traveling.
The currency in Bilbao is the Euro (EUR) (EUR). ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants, but carry cash for markets and smaller establishments.
The main language(s) spoken in Bilbao: Spanish (Castilian), Basque (Euskara). In tourist areas, English is generally understood. Learning a few basic phrases in the local language is appreciated by locals.
The top attractions in Bilbao include Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Casco Viejo and the Siete Calles, Cathedral of Santiago (Catedral de Santiago), Plaza Nueva (Plaza Barria), and Mercado de la Ribera. Each offers a unique experience, from historic landmarks to natural wonders.
