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Destinations / Spain

Bilbao

Bilbao (Bilbo)

The Guggenheim, pintxos and Basque spirit

artfoodarchitecturefirst-timers
Plan your trip to BilbaoSee the top 10
346,000Population
1.0 millionMetro area
Spanish, BasqueLanguage
EURCurrency
3 daysIdeal stay
$160-260Typical day

Bilbao is a Basque city reborn around the Guggenheim Museum. Its old town is packed with pintxo bars. Green hills and the coast are close.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. The Guggenheim is a museum of modern art in a titanium building by Frank Gehry. It changed the city.

    2 to 3 hoursTime needed
    about $14-21Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Adult ticket was 18 EUR until October 12, 2026 and 12 EUR from October 13 during gallery changes; under 18 free.

    Tip. Book online.
    Official siteSee on the map

  2. Casco Viejo is the old town with seven streets and pintxo bars. It is lively.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Walking is free.

    Tip. Go for pintxos in the evening.
    See on the map

  3. San Sebastian is a coastal city known for food and its beach. It is about 1 hour away.

    Full dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Go for pintxos.
    See on the map

  4. The Artxanda Funicular climbs a hill with views. It is short.

    1 hourTime needed
    about $1-3Cost
    noBook ahead

    Fare.

    Tip. Go at sunset.
    See on the map

  5. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a chapel on an island connected by steps. It is scenic.

    Half a dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Access requires a free or low cost reservation.

    Tip. Book a free access slot in summer.
    See on the map

  6. The Fine Arts Museum has Spanish and Basque art. It is near the Guggenheim.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $10-15Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry.

    Tip. Check free hours.
    See on the map

  7. The Vizcaya Bridge is a transporter bridge, a UNESCO site. It is near the coast.

    1 hourTime needed
    about $1-10Cost
    noBook ahead

    Gondola or walkway.

    Tip. Ride the gondola.
    See on the map

  8. La Ribera Market is a large market by the river. It has bars.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Go for lunch.
    See on the map

  9. Azkuna Zentroa is a cultural center in a wine warehouse. It has columns.

    45 minutesTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Free to enter.
    See on the map

  10. San Mames is the stadium of Athletic Club. It has a museum.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    about $15-20Cost
    noBook ahead

    Tour.

    Tip. Book a tour.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Bilbao in three days

Add San Sebastian and Gaztelugatxe.

  1. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao2 to 3 hours · about $14-21
  2. Casco Viejo2 hours · Free
  3. Artxanda Funicular1 hour · about $1-3
  4. San SebastianFull day · Free
  5. San Juan de GaztelugatxeHalf a day · Free
  6. Fine Arts Museum2 hours · about $10-15
  7. Vizcaya Bridge1 hour · about $1-10
  8. La Ribera Market1 hour · Free
  9. Azkuna Zentroa45 minutes · Free
  10. San Mames Stadium1.5 hours · about $15-20
Beyond the city

Day trips

Getxo

Hanging bridge and beaches.

9 mi · Metro about 25 minutes

Guernica

Basque history.

22 mi · Train about 50 minutes

San Sebastián

Beach city famous for food.

Bus about 1h20

Vitoria-Gasteiz

A medieval centre and green capital of the Basque region.

Bus or train about 1h

Mundaka and Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve

Surf town and a wide estuary with wetlands.

Car or train and bus about 1h

Laguardia

Walled wine village in Rioja Alavesa.

Car about 1h20

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: May to September. Mild and drier.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.75.56.3JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

53°F
Typical daily high
Average50°F
Rain5.0 in
About16 rainy days
Sun strength1.4 kWh/m²

Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Aug

Aste Nagusia (Semana Grande)

Late August

A week of concerts, fireworks and street parties.

Jul

BBK Live

July

Large music festival at the edge of the city.

Oct

Bilbao Night Marathon

Late October

Evening road marathon through the centre.

Dec

Santo Tomás Fair

December 21

Traditional market in the old town with food and txistorra sausage.

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Know before you go

At a glance

5/5
Safety

The US State Department rates Spain at Level 2 (increased caution) for terrorism and unrest; Bilbao is very safe.

5/5
Walkability

Compact and walkable.

5/5
Public transport

Metro, tram and buses with Barik card.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
12345

1. Casco Viejo

$$

Best for: first-timers

Old town.

2. Abando

$$$

Best for: couples

Central.

3. Indautxu

$$$

Best for: foodies

Shops.

4. Abando and Ensanche

$$$

Best for: first-timers, shoppers

Central district near Guggenheim, the station and shops.

5. Deusto

$

Best for: budget travellers

Cheaper rooms near the university with good transport.

Getting there and around

Main airportBilbao Airport (BIO), 7 mi from the center
To the centerBus A3247 takes about 20 minutes.
Around townWalk and use the metro.
Ride appsUber, Cabify, Bolt, FreeNow
Taste it

What to eat

Pintxos

Basque bar snacks.

Bacalao al pil pil

Cod in garlic sauce.

Txakoli

Light white wine.

Marmitako

A tuna and potato stew.

Txangurro

Spider crab dish baked in its shell.

Gernika peppers

Small fried green peppers with salt.

Good to know

PlugsType C and F, 230 V
Tap waterSafe to drink
TippingTipping is optional; round up or leave 5 to 10 percent for good service.
PaymentsCards and contactless work almost everywhere.
EtiquetteBasques are proud of their language and culture; a kaixo, hello in Basque, is appreciated. Order pintxos at the bar, keep your toothpicks to pay at the end, and do not expect early dinners.
  • The metro, designed by Norman Foster, is clean and efficient.
  • Rain is common, so pack a waterproof.
  • Pintxos are usually eaten standing at the bar.
  • Bilbao Airport is about 12 km from the center.
  • Book Guggenheim tickets online to skip queues.
  • Many museums close on Mondays.
  • Bring a rain jacket, as showers are frequent.
  • Gaztelugatxe requires a reservation to visit.

A short history

Founded in 1300, Bilbao grew on iron and shipbuilding. Industry declined in the 1980s. The Guggenheim opened in 1997. The Bilbao Effect inspired other cities.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Bilbao