Planning a trip to Bilbao? You’re in for something really special. This incredible Basque city has transformed itself from an industrial hub into one of Spain’s most exciting destinations, and I’ve put together this guide to help you make the most of your visit.
Bilbao sits in northern Spain’s Basque Country, offering a brilliant mix of world-class museums, fantastic food, and unique architecture that you won’t find anywhere else. From the iconic Guggenheim Museum to the narrow streets of the old town, there’s so much to see and do here.
Where is Bilbao?
Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country, sitting in the province of Biscay in northern Spain. The city spans roughly 40.65 square kilometres and sits about 16 kilometres inland from the Bay of Biscay, right along the mouth of the Nervión River.
With around 347,000 residents in the city itself and over 1 million in the wider metropolitan area, Bilbao is the most populous metro area in northern Spain. It’s a proper working city with plenty of character!
Getting to Bilbao
Bilbao Airport is about 12 kilometres from the city centre, with regular buses running every 20 minutes for around €3.
The Bizkaibus is your best bet – it takes about 30 minutes and drops you right in the city centre. If you’re coming from other Spanish cities, the train connections are excellent.
From the UK, you can fly direct to Bilbao from several airports including London, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
Where to stay in Bilbao
Casco Viejo (Old Town)
The old town is where I’d recommend staying if it’s your first visit to Bilbao. You’ll be right in the heart of the action with the best bars, restaurants, and shops all within walking distance.
The narrow medieval streets are packed with character, and you can walk to most of the main sights from here. Hotel Bilbao Plaza is a great mid-range option right in the centre, while smaller guesthouses offer more budget-friendly alternatives.
Ensanche district
This is Bilbao’s modern business district, perfect if you prefer wider streets and contemporary hotels. The Gran Hotel Domine sits right opposite the Guggenheim Museum – you can’t get a better location than that!
The area has excellent transport links and plenty of upmarket restaurants, though it’s a bit more expensive than staying in the old town.
What to see in Bilbao
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
You can’t visit Bilbao without seeing the Guggenheim – it’s absolutely stunning and completely transformed the city when it opened in 1997. The building itself is a work of art, designed by Frank Gehry with those famous titanium curves that look different from every angle.
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm (closed Mondays except public holidays)
- Admission: €16 for adults, free for under 12s
- Top tip: Book online to skip the queues, especially in summer
The permanent collection includes works by Basque and Spanish artists, plus rotating exhibitions that are always worth seeing.
Don’t miss the giant spider sculpture “Maman” outside – it’s become one of Bilbao’s most photographed spots.
Casco Viejo (Seven Streets)
The old town is the beating heart of Bilbao, built around the original seven streets that gave the area its nickname. Las Siete Calles are packed with traditional Basque bars, independent shops, and beautiful architecture dating back to the 14th century. Plaza Nueva is the main square where locals gather for drinks and pintxos (Basque tapas). The covered market, Mercado de la Ribera, sits alongside the river and is one of Europe’s largest covered markets – perfect for picking up local specialities.
Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao
Often overshadowed by the Guggenheim, this museum houses one of Spain’s best art collections. You’ll find works by Goya, El Greco, and Picasso, plus an excellent collection of Basque artists.
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm
- Admission: €9 for adults, free on Wednesday afternoons for EU residents
The museum sits in a beautiful building near Doña Casilda Park, making it easy to combine with a stroll through the gardens.
Arriaga Theatre
This gorgeous 19th-century opera house looks like a miniature version of the Paris Opera. Even if you don’t catch a show, it’s worth admiring the facade and the ornate interior if you can peek inside.
The theatre hosts opera, ballet, and classical concerts throughout the year. Check their website for what’s on during your visit – experiencing a performance here is truly special.
Bilbao’s food scene
Pintxos bars
Bilbao’s pintxos scene is legendary, and bar hopping through the old town is an absolute must-do. Pintxos are small plates of food – the Basque version of the traditional Spanish tapas, but they’re generally more elaborate and creative.
Café Bar Bilbao on Plaza Nueva serves some of the best traditional pintxos in the city. It is very busy as its a basically a tourist attraction – but if you can go, I recommend it! I would recommend visiting before or after 12pm – 3pm as the service is much quieter after lunch rush hour.
Their bacalao pil-pil is the star of the show – its a piece of cod fried in olive oil and garlic which tastes incredible.
Gure Toki is where locals go for innovative pintxos that blend traditional Basque flavours with modern techniques.
The mini burgers and creative seafood dishes are outstanding!
Traditional Basque restaurants
For a proper sit-down meal, Restaurante Mina offers modern Basque cuisine in an elegant setting.
Chef Álvaro Garrido has earned a Michelin star for his innovative take on local ingredients.
Casa Rufo is more traditional and budget-friendly, serving hearty Basque dishes like bacalao al pil pil (cod in garlic oil) and txuleta (grilled beef chop). The portions are generous and the atmosphere is authentically local.
Getting around Bilbao
The city has an excellent public transport system. The Metro is clean, efficient, and designed by Norman Foster – even the stations are architectural gems. A single ticket costs €1.70, or you can buy a day pass for €4.50.
The tram system connects the Guggenheim with the old town and is particularly useful for tourists. Most of the main sights are within walking distance of each other, so you might not need transport at all. Bilbao’s bike-sharing system, Bilbaobizi, has stations throughout the city. It’s a great way to get around, especially along the river where there are dedicated cycle paths.
Shopping in Bilbao
El Corte Inglés
Spain’s main department store has a large branch in central Bilbao, perfect for picking up Spanish brands or if you need anything specific.
Casco Viejo boutiques
The old town is packed with independent shops selling everything from Basque berets to local ceramics. Calle Somera and Calle Artekale are the main shopping streets with a good mix of traditional and contemporary stores.
Ensanche district
For high-end shopping, head to Gran Vía and the surrounding streets. You’ll find international brands alongside Spanish fashion houses.
When to visit Bilbao
Bilbao is great year-round, but I’d particularly recommend May to September when the weather is warmest and driest. July and August can get busy with Spanish holidaymakers, so June and September offer the best balance of good weather and fewer crowds.
The city hosts several festivals throughout the year. Aste Nagusia in August is the biggest celebration with nine days of concerts, fireworks, and street parties. Bilbao BBK Live in July attracts top international music acts to the city.
Practical tips for visiting Bilbao
The Basque language (Euskera) is co-official with Spanish, so you’ll see signs in both languages. Don’t worry though – everyone speaks Spanish, and many people in the tourist industry speak English. Tipping isn’t expected in Spain, but rounding up the bill or leaving small change is appreciated in restaurants and bars.
Most shops close for siesta between 2pm and 5pm, and many are closed on Sundays. Restaurants typically don’t serve dinner until 9pm or later.
The weather can be unpredictable, so pack layers and a light rain jacket even in summer. Bilbao gets more rain than southern Spain, but it’s usually brief showers rather than all-day downpours. Bilbao offers an incredible mix of art, food, and Basque tradition that’s unlike anywhere else in Spain. The city’s compact size makes it perfect for a long weekend, and the friendly locals are always happy to share recommendations for their favourite pintxos bars!
