Bilbao, Spain: travel guide
A Basque city reborn around the Guggenheim and pintxo bars
Basque industrial-turned-cultural hub anchored by the Guggenheim Museum and a lively Casco Viejo pintxo scene.
About Bilbao
Bilbao is the largest city of the Basque Country, a former industrial port on the Nervión river that has reinvented itself through art and design. Hills ring the city, and the weather is greener and milder than much of Spain.
Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum is the landmark, with the Museo de Bellas Artes, the Azkuna Zentroa cultural centre and the Zubizuri footbridge adding to the riverfront. In the Casco Viejo, the old town, pintxos bars line the lanes and the Basílica de Begoña looks down from above.
Bilbao suits architecture and art fans and foodies, and works well with a day trip to the Basque coast. Spring and early autumn are the best time to visit Bilbao, though some rain is always possible.
- Country
- Spain
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Madrid
- Nearest airport
- BIO
Last updated
Top places to visit in Bilbao
Puente de Vizcaya (Bizkaia Bridge)
Heritage · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
World's oldest transporter bridge (1893), a UNESCO site linking Portugalete and Getxo.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Museum · about 2.5 h · entry €16 (≈ ₹1,710)
Frank Gehry's titanium landmark of modern and contemporary art on the Nervión.
Casco Viejo (Siete Calles)
Heritage · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Bilbao's medieval old town of seven streets, cafés and pintxo bars.
Mercado de la Ribera
Market · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Riverside covered market, one of Europe's largest, with pintxo stalls.
Museo de Bellas Artes
Museum · about 1.5 h · entry €10 (≈ ₹1,070)
Fine-arts museum spanning old masters to Basque and contemporary art.
Catedral de Santiago
Church · about 0.5 h · entry €5 (≈ ₹530)
Gothic cathedral at the heart of the old town, a Camino waypoint.
Basílica de Begoña
Church · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Hilltop Gothic basilica of Bilbao's patron Virgin, reached by lift or steps.
Zubizuri Bridge
Heritage · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Calatrava's white curved footbridge over the Nervión.
Funicular de Artxanda
Viewpoint · about 0.8 h · entry €3 (≈ ₹270)
Century-old funicular to the Artxanda hill with panoramic city views.
Azkuna Zentroa (Alhóndiga)
Cultural · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Philippe Starck-reimagined wine warehouse, now a culture and leisure centre.
Plaza Nueva
Heritage · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Arcaded neoclassical square famed for its Sunday market and pintxo bars.
Parque de Doña Casilda
Nature · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Romantic 20th-century park of ponds, fountains and shaded paths.
Things to do
- Guggenheim Museum Guided Visit Cultural · 2 h · from EUR 30 per person
- Bilbao Pintxo & Txakoli Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from EUR 65 per person
- Old Town Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from EUR 15 per person
- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Day Trip Day Trip · 5 h · from EUR 60 per person
- Artxanda Funicular & Viewpoint Sightseeing · 1 h · from EUR 5 per person
Day trips and tours
- Bilbao & Basque Coast Day Tour 9 h · from EUR 110
Where to stay in Bilbao
- Casco Viejo about EUR 115 per night
Bilbao's medieval Seven Streets, heart of the pintxo scene.
- Abando about EUR 130 per night
Elegant 19th-century Ensanche with the Guggenheim and Gran Vía shopping.
Hotels
- Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao 5-star · EUR 180 to EUR 420 per night
- Hotel Carlton 5-star · EUR 160 to EUR 360 per night
- Miró Hotel 4-star · EUR 130 to EUR 280 per night
- Ganbara Hostel 2-star · EUR 20 to EUR 60 per night
- Petit Palace Arana Bilbao 3-star · EUR 95 to EUR 190 per night
Where to eat
- Gure Toki Basque, Pintxos, Modern · about EUR 25 per person
- Sorginzulo Basque, Pintxos · about EUR 18 per person
- Café Iruña Basque, Cafe, Spanish · about EUR 22 per person
- La Viña del Ensanche Basque, Pintxos, Spanish · about EUR 35 per person
- Nerua Guggenheim Basque, Fine Dining, Modern · about EUR 170 per person
- Bar Charly Basque, Pintxos · about EUR 20 per person
Getting to Bilbao
Airport: Bilbao (BIO)
Getting around
- Metro
- Tram
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Pickpockets in crowds
Casco Viejo & metro
Crowded pintxo bars and metro rush make easy pickpocket targets.
How to avoid it: Keep wallet in a front pocket; watch bags in busy bars.
More in Spain
Frequently asked questions about Bilbao
- What are the main places to visit in Bilbao?
- Places covered in our Bilbao guide include Puente de Vizcaya (Bizkaia Bridge), Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Casco Viejo (Siete Calles), Mercado de la Ribera, Museo de Bellas Artes.
- Where should I stay in Bilbao?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Bilbao: Casco Viejo, Abando.
- How do I get around Bilbao?
- Ways to get around Bilbao covered in our guide: Metro, Tram, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Bilbao?
- Scams reported to us for Bilbao include Pickpockets in crowds. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Bilbao?
- The nearest airport to Bilbao has the code BIO.