Travel Guide to Bilbao, Spain - What to See & Do
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Bilbao, the largest city in the Spanish Basque Country, has undergone an extraordinary transformation. Once dominated by industry, since the end of the 20th century it has emerged as a modern, forward-thinking destination - a hub of creativity, culture, and culinary delights.
Framed by staggering architecture, a venerable dining scene, and lovely, green mountains, this northern Spanish gem invites you to explore. As you wander its streets, you’ll discover world-class art museums, fine dining establishments, and hip districts adorned with avant-garde contemporary architecture.
The famous Guggenheim Museum, a scaly titanium-clad masterpiece by architect Frank Gehry, symbolizes Bilbao’s evolution. Its 1997 opening captured the attention of international tourists, propelling the city from an industrial port to a center of arts and culture. It was the spark that lit the match – since then, the city has only continued to add to its collection of innovative architecture, fabulous art museums, and imaginative cultural spaces.
Beyond the aesthetics, Bilbao is also just an exceedingly lovely place to be. There’s excellent public transportation, abundant green spaces, and a distinctive skyline where sleek towers harmonize with the historic icons. And eating in Bilbao is a serious delight, the city home to Michelin-starred restaurants and humble taverns where some of the world’s most innovative chefs work their magic.
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Table of Contents
Why visit?
Where is Bilbao
How to get there
How long to spend
Where to stay
Things to see & do
3-day Bilbao itinerary
Bilbao planning cheatsheet
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My favorite hotels in Bilbao
- The Artist Grand Hotel - luxurious option overlooking the Guggenheim. $225/night
- Hotel Tayko Bilbao - charming rooms in Casco Viejo. $200/night
- Bilder Boutique Hotel - boutique hotel with pleasant apartment-like rooms. $150/night
- Pension Caravan Cinema - good value guesthouse in Casco Viejo. $100/night
Guided tours and activities
- Bilbao walking tour (small group)
- Food & wine city tour
- Guided tour of the Guggenheim Museum (private)
- Day trip to Rioja wine country
- Bilbao by e-bike (half-day tour)
How to get around
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Why visit?
If for nothing else, visiting Bilbao is a chance to dig into the Basque culture.
Present in this corner of Spain since prehistoric times, the ancient culture and language is a big departure from what you’ll experience in the rest of Spain. One fun example of this is that while Spain’s national sport of soccer (football) is popular here, more so is their unique sport of pelota, a sort of mix between handball and squash. Culturally and linguistically, things get even more interesting and Bilbao, like the rest of Basque Country, is perceptibly different.
Food here too is different from the rest of Spain, with a strong focus on creative pintxos (the Basque version of tapas) and an ultimate mastery of the open-flame barbecue, from where perfectly grilled steaks arrive to grace your table. And that’s not even mentioning their long history as fishermen, plucking a bounty of fresh seafood from the nearby Atlantic with ease.
Like the surrounding region, Bilbao as a city is also one of Spain’s more unique destinations. Historically, it was a big industrial port, but at the end of the 20th century the city found itself at an impasse. The smoke-clogged city was fading into irrelevance, so it decided to make a strategic pivot and commissioned the construction of the now-famous Guggenheim Museum. When it opened in 1997 the city became a hit overnight, with 4 million tourists visiting in that first year.
This in turn sparked a building boom, and the city is now a modern and forward-thinking place and a hub of art, culture, and music with bountiful green spaces and clean air. It’s a success story like no other in Spain, and that alone makes it worthy of a stop on any Spanish itinerary.
Where is Bilbao?
Bilbao sits in the heart of Spain's Basque Country, an autonomous community in the northeast corner of the nation. The city sits on the banks of the Nervión River, surrounded by verdant hills and picturesque landscapes. Its location on the northern coast of Spain places it at the eastern end of the Bay of Biscay, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the rugged coastline.
This proximity to the sea grants Bilbao access to stunning beaches and hidden coves in both directions along the coast, offering plenty of opportunities for relaxation and exploration. Inland, the rolling hills and mountains to the south eventually give way to the plains and valleys of La Rioja, Spain’s most famous wine region. To the east, the landscapes become larger as you get closer to the majestic Pyrenees Mountains, which stretch along the border with France.
Bilbao has a major international airport, with direct links to plenty of destinations across Europe. Madrid is about 250 miles to the south.
How to get here
If you’re not flying directly into Bilbao’s airport, there are several different options on how you can get to the city.
Public transport from Madrid
Madrid is the easiest major gateway to Bilbao, with buses departing every hour on average between 7:00 AM and 8:30 PM. Prices range from €36 to €47, and the journey takes about 5 hours. There are also direct trains twice a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The train journey takes approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes, with tickets costing between €36 and €55.
Public transport from Barcelona
Barcelona is a bit further away, but there are still direct connections to Bilbao. The bus takes between 8 and 9 hours and will set you back anywhere between €50 and €65. There are also only three departures a day. The train is faster, although there’s only one journey a day. It takes 6 hours and 50 minutes, and tickets cost between €50 and €75.
Renting a car
If you’re starting in Madrid or coming from somewhere in Northern Spain, know that getting to Bilbao is quite easy. Spain’s highway system is excellent and the roads in northern Spain are very well maintained. Renting a car is also easy as you have rental agencies in almost all airports and major cities.
Because Bilbao has an international airport and also because it’s a large city, you have a very good selection of car rentals. If you want to save some money, be sure to look at prices for cars picked up in the city center and not just at the airport.
To check prices and book, I recommend using DiscoverCars. It’s a car rental website that includes offerings from all the major international rental companies as well as lots of smaller local agencies, which often have much better pricing. You can often find great deals.
I use it myself and have always had good experiences.
How long to spend in Bilbao
The ideal amount of time to spend in Bilbao is three days, which will give you time to visit all the must-see attractions and get a good feel for the city’s atmosphere.
On your first day, you’ll be able to dive into the Casco Viejo, the city’s charming old town, and knock off the fascinating Guggenheim Museum as well.
Your second day can start with a visit to the Mercado de la Ribera, followed by the highly rated Museo de Bellas Artes, one of the country’s most important fine art museums filled with works from the Middle Ages to modern day. Then, a boat ride along the river that splits the city into two offers a unique angle from which to enjoy the architecture along the riverbanks.
Finally, a third day will give you time to ride the funicular up to the top of Mount Artxanda and visit the impressive Azkuna Zentroa Cultural Center, a repurposed wine exchange building that is now a hub of art and culture.
Where to stay
In Bilbao, I always recommend staying in the Casco Viejo. This is the most atmospheric part of the city and it puts you in walking distance of most sights and attractions. Transit options are also good and you have loads of restaurants, bars, and cafes at your doorstep.
You can read more about the city’s neighborhoods in my guide to where to stay in Bilbao.
If you just want some quick ideas on hotels, here are a few of my go-tos:
The Artist Grand Hotel is in a prime location, with rooms overlook the twisting Guggenheim Museum. Note that for many years this hotel was called “The Grand Hotel Domine”, though it has recently changed names ($225 per night).
Hotel Tayko Bilbao is in the center of everything in the city’s Casco Viejo and rooms are charming ($200 per night).
Bilder Boutique Hotel is an elegant boutique hotel that feels like you’re staying in a pleasant apartment in the city ($150 per night)
Caravan Cinema is a smaller boutique option also in the Casco Viejo. It’s good value at around $100 per night.
What to see & do
1. Marvel at the iconic Guggenheim Museum
No visit to Bilbao is complete without a visit to the iconic Guggenheim Museum. Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the museum is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture, with a shimmering titanium façade and unique, wavy shape. Inside, a staggering collection of modern and contemporary art awaits, featuring works by artists such as Anish Kapoor, Jeff Koons, and Yves Klein.
Don't miss the outdoor sculpture collection, which adds an extra dimension to the museum's artistic offerings, and don’t forget to snap a photo of the floral puppy sculpture outside, the largest floral sculpture in the world.
If you want a better understanding of the incredible works of art you’ll see, you can hire a guide for a private museum tour.
The Guggenheim
2. Explore the charming Casco Viejo
Bilbao’s Casco Viejo is a charming place of crooked, cobbled streets, architectural gems, and plenty of life. The maze-like streets hide colorful buildings, boutique stores, and beautiful plazas. Plaza Nueva is a beautiful point to get your bearings, the area’s major square lined with cafés and restaurants. Other sights to stop by include the impressive Gothic-style Cathedral de Santiago de Bilbao, and the churches of San Nicolás and San Antón.
If you’re interested in exploring with a guide, this small group walking tour lasts only 2 hours, but it provides a solid introduction to the city and is a good orientation.
An e-bike tour is really my recommendation though, as being on a bike lets you cover far more ground and see a lot more of the city, including some less touristed areas.
The rooftops of Bilbao’s Casco Viejo. Photo: Fernando Pascullo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
3. Browse the stalls at the Mercado de la Ribera
The Mercado de la Ribera is Bilbao’s main marketplace and the largest covered market in all of Europe. It’s a bustling place filled with some of the best gastronomic products the region has to offer. Think cheeses, fresh fruit and vegetables, cured meats, plump olives, and everything in between – the perfect spot to pick up some foodie souvenirs.
After browsing the stalls for a while, the second level is home to a huge food court made up entirely of pintxo bars.
Mercado de la Ribera on the left. Photo: Zarateman, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
4. Visit the Museo de Bellas Artes
Art enthusiasts should not miss the opportunity to visit the Museo de Bellas Artes, one of Spain's most important fine art museums. Housed in a magnificent neo-classical building, the museum boasts an extensive collection spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day. You’ll be able to see works by renowned artists such as Francisco de Goya, El Greco, and Paul Gauguin, and discover lesser-known gems that highlight the rich artistic heritage of the Basque Country.
5. Take a boat ride along the Nervión River
Coursing through the middle of Bilbao is the Nervión River, lined with some of Bilbao’s most iconic pieces of architecture, including the Guggenheim Museum and the iconic Zubizuri Bridge. Gliding along the water is a unique way to enjoy the city’s urban landscape. For an extra special experience, opt for a sunset cruise and witness the city bathed in golden hues, or choose to kayak instead, getting you even closer to the water.
6. Cross Bilbao’s bridges
13 bridges cross over the waters of the Nervión River, connecting Bilbao’s two banks. The bridges range in aspect from merely functional to practically art installations. Any visit to Bilbao should include at least a few bridge crossings.
The enormous and iron Puente Bizkaia (Vizcaya Bridge) at the edfe of the city is probably the most interesting - it’s 45 meters tall, red, and has a giant suspended gondola hanging from it which ferries both passengers and vehicles across the water; it is one of very few bridges of its kind ever built and is an icon of the Industrial Revolution in Spain.
Closer to town you have Puente La Salve (by the Guggenheim), pedestrian and futuristic Puente Zubi zuri (also called Calatrava), and Puente de Deusto which rises in the middle to allow tall ships to pass, among others.
Puente Bizkaia bridge. Photo: Ebaki, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
7. Spend a couple hours at the Azkuna Zentroa Cultural Center
The Azkuna Zentroa is a must-visit cultural center housed in a former wine exchange building. Designed by renowned French designer Philippe Starck, the center is a true architectural gem of the city and another way to see how Bilbao has pivoted from industry to art and culture.
The interior is as unique as they come, with a stunning glass atrium home to 43 distinctive columns that support the building. The Azkuna Zentroa hosts a diverse range of cultural events, from art exhibitions to film screenings and live performances. There are guided tours, but just as nice is exploring the building for yourself, stopping for a coffee at the café, or visiting the rooftop swimming pool for a dip.
8. Enjoy the stunning views from Mount Artxanda
For breathtaking panoramic views of Bilbao, head to Mount Artxanda. Take a ride on the funicular railway that has been transporting visitors to the summit since 1915. Once at the top, stunning vistas of the city and the surrounding countryside await.
Up the top there are also walking trails that crisscross the mountain, offering opportunities for leisurely hikes and picnics in nature (don’t forget to stock up on goodies at the Mercado de la Ribera beforehand). If you didn’t bring a picnic, there are also a handful of excellent mountaintop restaurants to choose from, letting you savor the views with some top-notch Basque cuisine.
Bilbao seen from the top of Mount Artxanda
9. Check out Bilbao’s street art scene
Bilbao is a place that is very dedicated to the arts, and as such, it’s also one of the best cities in Spain to explore street art. Around the city you’ll find large murals, smaller works in hidden corners, and thought-provoking temporary installations. It’s a strong part of Bilbao’s modern-day identity, and the perfect excuse to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the city streets. If you're interested in learning more about the city’s most well-known street art works and the stories behind them, consider joining a street art walking tour.
10. Relax in the atmospheric Plaza Nueva
Plaza Nueva, located in the heart of Casco Viejo, is probably the city’s most charming square. Surrounded by elegant neoclassical buildings, the plaza is a popular meeting place for locals and visitors alike. Enjoy a leisurely coffee or a refreshing drink at one of the numerous cafés and bars that line the square.
On Sundays, the plaza comes alive with a bustling market where you can browse for antiques and unique treasures. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere, soak in the architectural beauty, and savor the vibrant energy of Plaza Nueva.
11. Try fantastic Basque cuisine
Bilbao is a food lover's paradise, known for its incredible gastronomy rooted in Basque traditions. Indulge in pintxos, the Basque version of tapas, at the city's numerous pintxos bars – the Casco Viejo (old town) is well known as one of the best places to do so. These bite-sized culinary delights range from simple classics like jamón Iberic atop bread to creative compositions featuring local seafood and fresh produce.
Wash it all down with a glass of Txakoli, a crisp white wine produced in the region. The city is also home to numerous Michelin-star restaurants – if fine dining is your thing, plan well ahead and reserve a table at one of the several options available, including places like Extanobe Atelier, Mina, or Eneko.
For a good local introduction to the city’s excellent food and drink, consider taking a food tour!
This walking food & wine tour, which includes lots of pintxos and drinks at different bars and then a full dinner. Group sizes are capped at ten.
For something more intimate, this private food tour lasts 3-4 hours and covers lots of really local eateries.
12. Take a day trip to La Rioja wine country
The region of La Rioja is the Basque Country’s southern neighbor, and it’s a gorgeous agricultural area that produces some of Spain’s best wine and olive oil. The terrain here is different from the Basque Country and less rugged; rolling hills topped with vineyards, olive groves, and pretty little medieval villages.
Although La Rioja is its own region, Rioja wine country spans three regions (La Rioja, Navarre, and Basque Country) and includes the Basque province of Alava. And here you will find many excellent wineries along with gorgeous scenery.
You can easily reach the area from Bilbao with a car in just about an hour, so it makes for an excellent day out away from the city.
If you have your own car it is quite easy to visit on your own. If you won’t have a car (or are planning on tasting some wines), then I would recommend booking a tour.
If you’re interested in a guided excursion, this small-group wine tour visits two of the most architecturally beautiful wineries in Spain (and the wine is good too!) and sees some of the countryside.
How to spend 3 days in Bilbao
Day 1
A wonderful way to start off any explorations of a new city in Spain is to head into the Old Town. In Bilbao that’s the Casco Viejo, a warren of streets home to pintxo taverns, beautiful plazas, and some fantastic architecture. Head to Plaza Nueva for a coffee, and then make your way across to the Cathedral de Santiago de Bilbao. Pintxos for lunch is an excellent choice.
After you’ve had your fill of food and drink at one of the pintxo taverns in the Casco Viejo, it’s time to visit the Guggenheim. Don’t forget to admire the floral sculpture of the puppy out the front before heading inside for the mind-bending contemporary art exhibits.
As your day winds down, the Casco Viejo is a hub of life each evening, a place for enjoying a night of drinking, grazing on pintxos, and socializing.
Day 2
Start off your second day with a visit to the Mercado de la Ribera, browsing the stalls and picking up any foodie souvenirs you spot. Then make your way over to the Museo de Bellas Artes in the Abando neighborhood, the newer part of the city on the western bank of the river.
After lunch, stroll through the Abando neighborhood, an area of wide boulevards, elegant buildings, and shops. Then, a boat ride along the river as the day fades offers a unique view of Bilbao in golden hour.
In the evening, if you can swing it, a fine-dining experience at one of Bilbao’s top restaurants will be a night to remember. Try Zortziko, Zarate, or Etxanobe, all of which boast Michelin Stars. Another option is to reserve a table at Nerua, the restaurant inside the Guggenheim Museum.
Day 3
Mount Artxanda rises north of the city, accessed via a funicular and offering outstanding views over the entire city. There are a handful of restaurants where you can enjoy a coffee with a view, or simply spend your morning strolling the lofty paths.
After coming back down from Mount Artxanda, grab a quick pintxo lunch before heading back into the Abando neighborhood to visit the Azkuna Zentroa Cultural Center. The building itself is a brilliant fusion of old and new, a historic place filled with great shops, cafés, a library, a cinema, and more.
Spend the rest of the afternoon criss-crossing the city as you make your way over some of Bilbao’s 13 bridges, enjoying the unique views provided by each.
In the evening, finish off your trip to Bilbao with dinner and drinks in Plaza Nueva, the heart of the Casco Viejo. It says a lot about Bilbao’s dining scene that the restaurants here actually aren’t tourist traps. Reserve a table at either La Olla for some excellent grilled meats, or Gure Toxi if you’d prefer more pintxos.
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