Famous for the Guggenheim Museum and a bustling Old Town, the Casco Viejo, packed to the brim with pintxo bars, Bilbao is a city to add to your Basque Region itinerary. After spending nearly a week in Bilbao this summer, I’m sharing the best things to do, from a world-class pintxo tour (one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip!) to visiting the iconic Guggenheim.
We unintentionally ended up spending 6 days in Bilbao exploring the city (Travel Tip: We loved our stay at Batimont Suites, a wonderfully set-up apartment hotel right in Abando). It was a city that grew on us, originally just meant to be a landing spot for our Basque road trip and as a quick base before flying back home to the States. But Bilbao was so much more than that — it packed a mighty punch in terms of incredible art and architecture, a delicious food scene, and an authentically local experience.
And while many other nearby cities like San Sebastián get a lot of fame for the Basque Country, I do think Bilbao is worthy of your time, and staying a night or two. With just even two days, you can dive into some of the best things to do in Bilbao, like a visit to the Guggenheim, the museum that changed the city forever. You can go pintxo bar hopping, whether it’s on a self-led tour or this guided tour.
Bilbao has a lot to offer, and being a natural jumping point for exploring this unique region in Spain, I hope this guide helps you see that there is quite a bit to do. So as you plan your trip to Bilbao, see exactly where to stay in the city, the things you can’t miss, and some very special pintxo bars and restaurants to dive into.
Short on Time? Here’s My Quick Guide to Bilbao:
Things to Do
- This Amazing Pintxo tour in Casco Viejo (What I Did / 3-hours)
- VIP Access Guggenheim Tour (2 hours)
- Bilboats Nervión River Boat Tour (1 or 2 hours)
Guided Day Trips
- Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Gernika Guided Tour from Bilbao (6 hours)
- Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, Mundaka and Gernika with Txakoli (11 hours)
- Walking Route San Juan De Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo & Gernika Tour (9 hours)
Where to Stay
We loved our stay in Abando, as it puts you right between the Guggenheim and Casco Viejo which is perfect for exploring most of Bilbao on foot.
- Hotels: Batimont Suites ($ / Where I Stayed), The Artist Grand Hotel of Art ($$), Tayko Bilbao ($$), Miro Hotel ($)
- Airbnbs: Airy 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Center, Historic 2 Bedroom Apartment Across From the Guggenheim, 2 Bedroom Historic Apartment with Elevator, Stunning 3 Bedroom Palace in the Old Town
Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip
For more on where to go in Spain, start with my 10-day Spain itinerary and guide to the most beautiful cities in Spain. I also have everything you need for Barcelona (city guide, itinerary, where to stay, things to do, coffee, and restaurants), Madrid (where to stay), Seville (city guide, where to stay), as well as guides to Costa Brava, Granada, Andaluciá, and Córdoba.
If you’re visiting more of the Basque Country, don’t miss my guides to San Sebastián (things to do, where to stay, where to eat, and the best day trips), Biarritz (things to do, where to stay), and Guéthary.
Travel Tip: The best way to explore Basque Country is by driving yourself. We use Discover Cars for our rental cars in Europe, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt. Renting a car and driving in Spain is quite easy. Book your car with Discover Cars here.
The Best Things to Do in Bilbao, Spain: A Complete First-Timer’s Guide
What Exactly to Do in Bilbao
Book a Pintxo Tour Through Casco Viejo
One of the few tours I booked while in the Basque Country was this 3-hour pintxo tour in Casco Viejo with a local guide company called Best of Basque. It ended up being one of the best things I did the entire trip, and it gave a wonderful introduction to pintxo culture, alongside a deeper dive into the Basque Region. I felt rather unknowledgeable about the Basque Region and its culture, and after my 3 hours with the guide on a small group tour, I felt like I was much more oriented in understanding this unique autonomous region in Spain.
Our tour took us through several pintxo bars, trying unique dishes at each one, and each stop included drinks. It’s a good group size, not too large, but not uncomfortably too small even if you’re a solo traveler. I’d recommend it as an introduction to pintxos if you’re in Bilbao.
Book Your Tour
- Time Needed: 3 hours (Pre-book here)
- Hours: Early Evening
- Cost: From €105 a person
Visit the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
When it comes to the star attraction of visiting Bilbao, it’s really all focused on the Guggenheim Museum. Designed by Frank Gehry and opened in October 1997, the Guggenheim, with its contemporary design built with 33,000 thin titanium plates on its exterior, drastically changed the city of Bilbao. It was so impactful that they’ve termed it the “Guggenheim Effect,” putting Bilbao on the international traveler’s list.
Beyond being just an incredible museum, the Guggenheim has this wonderful area around it with an exterior cafe, free exhibits to the public around it like Maman by Louis Bourgeois and The Puppy by Jeff Koons. I feel that if you do a single thing while in Bilbao, let it be a proper few hours visiting the museum.
We went one morning at opening time to beat the crowds, pre-purchasing our entry tickets which allowed us to bypass the ticket buying line. Inside was fantastic, from Richard Serra’s enormous steel installation The Matter of Time to rotating exhibits that change out seasonally. There was a lot to see across the several-floor museum, so you’ll want to give yourself at least 2-3 hours to visit.
Travel Tip: I spotted this VIP Access Tour for the Guggenheim after my trip that would be a nice addition to your time there if you want a guided tour through the exhibits. It’s a small group tour of no more than 6 people and takes 2 hours, all done with an official museum guide.
Plan Your Visit
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours (Pre-Book tickets or VIP Tour)
- Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10 pm–7 pm, extended to 8 PM during summer and select dates (Closed Mondays except select holiday/summer Mondays)
- Cost: €18 adults, €9 students and seniors, free for visitors under 18 (Audio guide included)
Explore Casco Viejo in the Morning
Get an early start one morning to go and explore the Casco Viejo, the old town of Bilbao, with its medieval architecture and colorful exteriors. It’s best in the morning before the crowds arrive to enjoy a few quieter hours strolling around. I’d start at San Nikolas Eliza, a Catholic church built in 1756 with a stunning Baroque exterior, and continue on to Plaza Nueva. If you need a bite to eat, Café Bar Bilbao is open early.
After, walk down Posta Kalea towards the Bilboko Donejakue Katedrala, or the Bilbao Cathedral as it is often referred to. It’s dedicated to the apostle James the Great and has a paid entrance of €10 for the combined Cathedral and San Antón Church ticket. For me, though, the highlight was visiting its cloisters just off the interior, centered around the beautiful courtyard. Additionally, you can visit the Museo Vasco afterward if you want to dive deeper into Basque history and art.
Plan Your Visit
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours
- Hours: Mid-morning through afternoon
- Cost: Free, Cathedral has paid entrance
Stop into the Mercado de la Ribera
Mercado de la Ribera is a small covered food market just off of the Casco Viejo and along the Nervión River. Inside, you have several food stands offering everything from regional produce to a few pintxos as well. If you want to visit a historic market, this is a good one to stop by, and don’t miss their “gastro plaza” for where all the pintxo bars are.
Plan Your Visit
- Time Needed: 30 minutes
- Hours: Generally open during daytime market hours, individual food stalls and restaurants may have different schedules
- Cost: Free to enter, budget extra for food and drinks
Stroll the Nervión River and Spot the Bridges
One of our favorite things we did while in Bilbao was going for a stroll along the Nervión River. It happens to be where some of the kids’ playgrounds are as well, so it made a lot of sense with our daughter. There is a long promenade adjacent to the river with several bridges that connects the Casco Viejo with the Ensanche area.
Some of the outstanding bridges to keep an eye out for are the San Antón Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in Bilbao. I loved the Zubizuri Bridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava with its distinctive white, curved footbridge and glass walkway (Note: the original glass walkway allowed you to see through to the river, but has since been covered with a non-slip surface). The final bridge, which connects closer to the Guggenheim, is the cable-stayed bridge called La Salve, with Daniel Buren’s red arch.
Plan Your Visit
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours
- Hours: 24/7
- Cost: Free
Take the Artxanda Funicular for Panoramic Views
If you have some extra time and are looking to get a wonderful view of the city, I’d ride the Artxanda Funicular up to Mount Artxanda. The view from the top is fantastic, and the funicular only takes 3 minutes to get to the top. At the top, you’ll find a viewpoint, and then you can walk further up to restaurants and other viewpoints if you want to.
Plan Your Visit
- Time Needed: 1–1.5 hours
- Hours: 7:15 am–10 pm Monday–Thursday, until 11 PM Friday, Saturday, and holiday eves during summer (Sunday hours begin at 8:15 am)
- Cost: €3.50 one-way or €6 round-trip, children under 6 ride free
Discover Bilbao’s Other Museums
Beyond the Guggenheim, Bilbao is home to several other museums that are worth considering if you have the time. They are spread out through the city, and each offers something unique to visit. These are the museums:
- Bilbao Fine Arts Museum (Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao) — Probably the most distinct museum outside of the Guggenheim, the Fine Arts Museum has a collection of art from artists like Gauguin to El Greco. It’s a good choice for those who want more classic and European Art, and sits just adjacent to the Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park
- Museo Arqueológico, Etnográfico e Histórico Vasco (Basque Museum) — Set in Casco Viejo, this is the one to choose if you want to dive deeper into Basque history and culture.
- Itsasmuseum Bilbao — For those interested in Bilbao’s industrial history, the Itsasmuseum Bilbao is all about shipbuilding, the history of fishing, and the industrial boom in the city.
Plan Your Visit
- Time Needed: 1.5–3 hours per museum
- Hours: Vary by museum
- Cost: Varies by museum, many offer reduced or free admission on certain days
Go on a Self-Guided Pintxo Bar Tour in Plaza Nueva
If you didn’t do a pintxo tour, no worries, you can easily go on a self-guided pintxo bar hopping tour yourself. I went a few nights while there, and each night picked 3-4 spots to get a few bites at.
One of the best spots to do this is in Plaza Nueva, as the square is lined by several of the top pintxo bars in the city. It’s all very conveniently located, so you won’t have to go too far to hop between bars. The bars I’d go to are:
- Gure Toki — Our favorite in the city. Order the Idiazabal cheese soup with quail egg and the gildas
- Sorgínzulo — Order the fried squid, foie gras, and croquetas
- El Globo — Another top contender, El Globo has the best hot pintxos. The txangurro (spider crab) is so good and unique to this bar.
- Cafe Bar Bilbao — A classic in Bilbao, order their bacalao and gildas.
See the Famous Columns at Azkuna Zentroa
One of the more unusual places we stopped into was the Azkuna Zentroa, originally a wine warehouse from the 20th century, now a cultural center re-designed by Philippe Starck. Inside, it houses these incredibly beautiful 43 columns, each with a different style and material. I found the building very beautiful and worth walking through to see it from an architectural standpoint.
Inside, there are art exhibits to visit, a cafe and restaurant attached, and then a famous swimming pool that you can see from the atrium below. I think Azkuna Zentroa is worth at least a walk through if you’re near it and interested in architecture and design.
Plan Your Visit
- Time Needed: 30–60 minutes
- Hours: Open daily, 8 am–9 pm. Individual spaces, exhibitions, and facilities may have different hours.
- Cost: Free to enter the building, some exhibitions and activities may have separate fees.
Take a Boat Ride on the Ría
One of the popular tours to do is to take a boat ride on the Nervión River, or the Ría in Bilbao. Most tours are either 1 or 2 hours, and go down the river towards the sea where you’ll have incredible views of Casco Viejo and the Guggenheim. It’s a more relaxing experience than anything, and a good way to see Bilbao. The highest-rated tour is this Bilboats Tour, which offers either a 1-hour or 2-hour tour depending on how much time you want to spend. You’ll have an included audio guide as well to listen to.
Plan Your Visit
- Time Needed: 1–2 hours (Pre-book here)
- Hours: Tours are offered daily, usually every few hours
- Cost: from €15 a person
Where to Eat in Bilbao
The Best Pintxo Bars
Gure Toki
Our favorite pintxo bar of the week in Bilbao was undoubtedly Gure Toki. From their oxtail croquette to their award-winning Idiazabal cheese soup, everything on this menu is a delight. We returned here several times to eat our way through the menu and several times took to go their incredible Basque cheesecake. It gets really busy, so I’d recommend arriving earlier in the evening than later.
Bar El Globo
With two locations in the city (Casco Viejo and Downtown), Bar El Globo is most famous for their hot, gratinated pintxos. For me, the must-order is the signature Txangurro gratinado, or spider crab. I’d also try the Txipirón en su tinta gratinado, a baby squid in its own ink, finished with a gratin. And for vegetarians, the potato and truffle gratin is to die for.
Sorgínzulo
Another favorite on Plaza Nueva is Sorgínzulo, for their bacalao pil pil and the tortilla de patatas. If you haven’t tried foie gras yet as well, this is a good spot to do so.
Café Iruña
One of the oldest running pintxo bars in the city, Café Iruña is famous for the pinchos morunos, or lamb skewers they sell just to the right of the bar area. They also have an amazing serranito, which is a small sandwich with Iberian pork and bacon.
Víctor Montes
A Plaza Nueva institution, Víctor Montes is another good one. You can actually reserve a table here if you do want a sit-down meal, but their pintxos are wonderful here too. I loved the gildas here, one of my favorites of the week. The Víctor Montes croquette is amazing, as well as the Iberian tartlet with quail egg & piperrada.
Café Bar Bilbao
A classic pintxo bar, Café Bar Bilbao is the spot to come at all hours because they’re open all day. You can come in for coffee in the morning to get a coffee and pair it with a bocadillo with jamon, or come later in the day for a draft beer paired with one of their famous bacalao pintxos.
Irrintzi
One of the best modern pintxo bars, Irrintzi always has a line to get in as it’s quite small, but this is the spot for innovative pintxos in the city.
Xukela
We went here on our food tour, and I felt like Xukela was one of the few “non-touristed” pintxo bars in the Casco Viejo. It’s a historic pintxo bar, and they’re famous for their regional ingredients and selections of cheeses and charcuterie.
The Best Restaurants (and other Spots) in Bilbao
Restaurante Abando
One of the best sit-down meals in the city if you want to sample a few pintxos but also be able to order a full meal. You’ll need to reserve a table in advance, but it’s a wonderful spot for Basque classics like baby squid in ink, to grilled prawns.
Restaurante Viña del Ensanche
While you can come in for tapas, I’d recommend reserving a table here to eat off their full-portion menu. It’s an institution for food in Bilbao, and well-known for their squid to Iberian ham.
Bølge Café – Specialty Coffee
Bølge Café is really nice spot to get a modern take on breakfast. It kind of reminds me of an Aussie cafe meets Basque-style breakfast and cafe. The jamon toast I had here was one of the best yet.
Bassk Cheesecakers
A good spot to get the classic tarta queso, or Basque cheesecake to go.
Where to Get Coffee in Bilbao
Where to Stay in Bilbao
Editor’s Note: We began and ended our trip in the Basque Country in the city of Bilbao, totaling six days in the city. We tried out two different locations within Bilbao, one in Abando/Indautxu and a stay just near Casco Viejo. I enjoyed both, but lean towards staying in Abando as it was right in the middle of the Guggenheim and the Casco Viejo.
Travel Tip: Read my guide on where to stay in Bilbao (coming soon!) for an in-depth breakdown of the different areas of Bilbao and more recommendations for where to base yourself!
Best Hotels and Airbnbs Near Abando and Indautxu
- Batimont Suites ($ / Where I Stayed) — A wonderfully set-up apartment hotel right in Abando that we stayed in for our time. The rooms are very clean with small kitchens, and the front door concierge was helpful with our needs.
- The Artist Grand Hotel of Art ($$) — Where I would pick to stay for a luxury hotel right across from the Guggenheim Museum with stunning views of the river.
- Miro Hotel ($) — My second choice for a stylish boutique hotel adjacent to the Guggenheim that feels more intimate and contemporary.
- Airy 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Center
- Historic 2 Bedroom Apartment Across From the Guggenheim
Best Hotels and Airbnbs Near Casco Viejo
- Enea Living ($ / Where I Stayed) — A beautiful set of hotel-style apartments just over from Casco Viejo. The rooms are very bright and clean, with a Japanese style to them and Scandinavian design.
- Tayko Bilbao ($$) — Tayko Bilbao is where I’d stay for a beautifully designed boutique hotel right in Casco Viejo. It is arguably one of the best hotels in the city, known for a Michelin-starred restaurant under Martín Berasategui and its design.
- Goien Boutique ($$) — A good affordable option right in the heart of Casco Viejo, Goien Boutique Hotel is a restored hotel right on the oldest street in town.
- 2 Bedroom Historic Apartment with Elevator
- Stunning 3 Bedroom Palace in the Old Town
Where to Take a Day Trip from Bilbao
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
One of the things I wish we would have done with our time in Bilbao was to take a day trip out to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is this stunning, dramatic rocky islet off the Basque Coast with 241 steps that reach the top. It’s famous as it was a filming location in Game of Thrones, but besides that, the landscape is dramatically stunning. It makes the most sense to visit from Bilbao as it’s a straight shot on the highways, and close to visit. Several companies offer tours out to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe from Bilbao, which doesn’t require a car on your own. These are the tours I’d consider:
- Gaztelugatxe Access, Bermeo and Gernika Guided Tour from Bilbao
- Bilbao: Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, Mundaka and Gernika with Txakoli
- Walking Route San Juan De Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo & Gernika Tour
Plan Your Visit
- Time Needed: Most are full-day tours
- Hours: Morning to early evening
- Cost: From €60-70 per person, depending on the tour
Travel Tip: If you’re considering visiting on your own, know there is a free timed reservation system during peak season and on selected dates throughout the year, so it’s best to check the official calendar beforehand. Also, if you’re considering getting there by bus, the weekend service is quite limited, so one of the tours above would be a better option.
San Sebastián
If you’re not adding San Sebastián to your itinerary while visiting the Basque region, you can visit as a day trip from Bilbao, as it’s only about an hour away. There are public buses that run from the city center, taking just a little over an hour to reach San Sebastián. Once there, stroll the old town, enjoy La Concha Bay, stop into the San Telmo Museum, and try a few pintxos. I have an entire guide on the best things to do in San Sebastián to help plan your time and the best pintxos in the city.
Plan Your Visit
- Time Needed: Full day
- Hours: Morning to early evening
- Cost: Varies
What to Know Before Visiting Bilbao
When Is the Best Time to Visit Bilbao?
The best time to visit Bilbao is May–June or September–October. My pick is some time in late May to June for a first-time trip, as you’ll have the best weather and fewest crowds. Just know that the Basque region sees rainy days year-round, but summer months will often only be for a few hours.
- May–June: Mild temperatures, long days, lush green scenery, and generally fewer tourists than peak summer.
- July–August: Warmest and liveliest period, with lots happening, but it can be busier and more expensive. Expect some rain even in summer.
- September–October: Excellent balance of pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and great food/wine-season atmosphere.
- November–March: Cooler, wetter, and greyer, but good for museums, pintxos, and a quieter city break.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Bilbao?
Two full days in Bilbao is plenty of time to see the city. Even with a single night, you would be able to do the main highlights like the Guggenheim Museum, see the Old Town (Casco Viejo), and go pintxo bar hopping once.
How Do I Get to Bilbao?
- By Plane — Bilbao Airport (BIO) is the easiest option as it services flights from several international destinations and within Europe. We flew in here and loved how quick it was to access the city, at just 7.5 miles away from the center. On arrival, I pre-booked a transfer with Welcome Pickups for ease.
- By Train — Renfe services trains into Bilbao from around Spain, with the main station being Bilbao-Abando. You can take the train in from cities like Madrid and even Barcelona.
- By Car — Driving to Bilbao is a great option if you’re planning to explore the Basque Country or take a road trip through northern Spain. The city is connected by major highways, including the AP-8, which runs along the northern coast toward San Sebastián and France. I recommend getting a car after your time in Bilbao if you plan to explore in the Basque Region.
Travel Tip: For easy, reliable private transfers, we always book with Welcome Pickups. It’s a seamless way to arrange a private driver in advance for airport rides, day trips, or hotel-to-hotel transfers across Europe.
Rental Car Tip: We use Discover Cars for our rental cars in Europe, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt. Renting a car and driving in Spain is quite easy. Book your car with Discover Cars here.
How Do I Get Around Bilbao?
Once in Bilbao, most of the city is rather walkable, especially in the Casco Viejo, and it’s about a 15-minute walk to the Guggenheim from there. There are taxis and rideshare as well for longer distances or if you’d like a break from walking. Alternatively, the public metro and tram system is helpful for getting around Bilbao and for getting out to Getxo and the beaches.
What Reservations Do I Need to Make in Advance?
The most important reservations to book are any Michelin-star restaurants and advance tickets to the Guggenheim. Both are the main draws to the city, so the tickets and reservations will often go weeks in advance for the restaurants and museum in peak summer season. So I’d try to book in your top picks as soon as you have your travel dates.
Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?
Overall, I feel that Bilbao is worth a quick visit to experience the Guggenheim Museum and enjoy the local pintxo bars. I’d recommend spending a couple of days exploring the city, then staying longer in San Sebastián. It works as a wonderful starting point to a Basque Country itinerary and road trip as the international airport is the best connected for international travelers.
Don’t Forget Siesta Time
You may get caught off guard if you stroll around the city around 3 to 7 pm and see most of the city closed. Every day, many of the city’s shops shut down for several hours for “siesta,” and everything reopens later in the evening.
Should I Visit Bilbao or San Sebastián?
One of the most common questions is Bilbao or San Sebastián, and I personally believe both. They’re entirely different in terms of experience, as I see Bilbao more as a city centered around architecture and design, with an undertone of food. Whereas I see San Sebastián as more about the coastal landscapes and the incredible gastronomy. I’d do both, with at least one night in Bilbao.
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1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
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I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
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I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
