Best Hotels in Bilbao 2026

Accommodation overview

Bilbao is compact, and most visitors can see the main sights on foot or by metro and tram, so the choice of area is mostly about atmosphere and price. The Casco Viejo (Old Town, the Siete Calles) is the medieval core on the right bank of the Nervión river, with small boutique hotels, pensiones and hostels, the Mercado de la Ribera and the densest concentration of pintxo bars; it is lively on weekend nights, so light sleepers should ask for an inner room. Abando is the central business and shopping district around Plaza Moyúa and the Gran Vía, with the classic five-star Hotel Carlton, mid-range chains and the Abando train station and metro nearby. Abandoibarra and the Alameda de Mazarredo stretch along the river from Plaza Moyúa to the Guggenheim Museum, with upscale hotels such as The Artist, Hotel Miró and Hotel Vincci Consulado, and the Euskalduna Palace at the western end. Campo Volantín is the riverside promenade on the north bank, across from the Casco Viejo, with Barceló Bilbao Nervión, Hesperia Bilbao and Hotel Conde Duque. Indautxu is a residential and dining district south-west of Plaza Moyúa, home to Hotel Ercilla. San Mamés, around the Athletic Club stadium, has larger business and chain hotels such as the two ILUNION properties and is the best option for football match days. Bilbao La Vieja and Miribilla, on the south bank, offer some of the cheapest rooms and hostels within a 10 to 15 minute walk of the old town. Bilbao airport (BIO) is about 12 km north of the centre; the Bizkaibus airport line and taxis reach the centre in roughly 20 to 30 minutes. Bilbao hotels generally operate all year, and the metro, tram and Bizkaibus accept the rechargeable Barik card.