Bilbao

Travel Guide
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao showing night scenes and modern architecture
Bilbao featuring a river or creek, a bridge and a skyscraper
Santiago Cathedral featuring interior views, a church or cathedral and heritage elements
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao featuring street scenes, modern architecture and outdoor art
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao featuring interior views
This former industrial city is now a major European arts centre, home to cultural attractions including the famous Guggenheim Museum.

Bilbao, in northern Spain, was once an industrial center, but today is better known for its thriving arts and cultural scene. Come to visit world-class museums, dine at sophisticated restaurants or head out into the surrounding countryside. Start your visit by climbing the Mallona stairs from Plaza Unamuno to Parque Etxebarria or take the Artxanda funicular railway to enjoy some of the best views in the city. Many travelers come to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum, one of the most renowned art institutions in Europe. The remarkable modern building, with its curved glass and titanium walls, houses art from the mid 20th century to today. Other art attractions include the Fine Arts Museum and the Basque Museum. Bilbao also has a full annual program of cultural events featuring many important exhibitions and performances. See some of these events at the Palacio Euskalduna, a striking modernist building in the city center.The city is revered not just for its modern architecture, but also for its buildings dating back to the 14th century. Visit the Gothic-style Cathedral of St. James and the Alhondiga, a complex containing a library, several bars and restaurants, a cinema and a rooftop pool with a glass floor.Bilbao is known for its sophisticated dining scene, with a host of Michelin-starred restaurants. Try local cuisine such as baby squid and lamb stew.As well as art and food, Bilbao is a city keen on sport. In town there are 18.5 miles (30 kilometers) of cycling lanes, as well as many swimming pools, gyms and parks. Around Bilbao there are nature reserves and hiking trails, as well as several nearby golf courses.Rent a car and drive out of town to enjoy the countryside or coast surrounding the city. There are traditional fishing villages along the nearby bay. Further down the coast you’ll find picturesque and quiet beaches. An inland route will take you to hiking trails through mountainous scenery. Check the weather forecast before planning your beach day, as the mild climate brings more rain than in other parts of the peninsula.

Where to stay in Bilbao

San Mames Stadium featuring modern architecture and a river or creek

Bilbao City Centre

4.5/5(33 area reviews)

Bilbao City Centre is highly notable for its fascinating museums, and you might want to visit top sights like Plaza Moyua and Gran Casino Bilbao. See more of Bilbao by jumping on the metro at Moyua Station or Abando Station.

Bilbao City Centre
Ribera Market featuring food, interior views and a bar

Bilbao Old Town

4.5/5(49 area reviews)

Museums, shopping and theatres highlight some notable features of Bilbao Old Town. Make a stop by Santiago Cathedral or Plaza Nueva while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Arriga Tram Stop or Casco Viejo Station to get around town.

Bilbao Old Town
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao showing outdoor art, street scenes and modern architecture

Abando

4.5/5(118 area reviews)

Ample dining options, fascinating museums, and beautiful river views are just a few top things to explore in Abando. A visit to Plaza Moyua or Ensanche might round out your trip, and you can jump aboard the metro at Moyua Station or Indautxu Station to get around town.

Abando
Plaza Nueva showing outdoor eating as well as a small group of people

Casco Viejo

Museums, theatres and historical sites highlight some notable features of Casco Viejo. Make a stop by Plaza Nueva or Museum of Archaeology Bizkaya while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Casco Viejo Station or Arriga Tram Stop to get around town.

Casco Viejo
Bilbao which includes night scenes, modern architecture and a city

Ibaiondo

If you're spending time in Ibaiondo, check out sights like Ribera Market or Santiago Cathedral and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Atxuri Tram Station or Ribera Tram Stop.

Ibaiondo
San Mames Stadium featuring modern architecture and a river or creek

Basurto-Zorroza

If you're spending time in Basurto-Zorroza, check out sights like San Mames Stadium or Ensanche and hop on the metro to see more of the city at San Mames Tram Stop or San Mames Station.

Basurto-Zorroza
The Artist Grand Hotel of Art
The Artist Grand Hotel of Art
5 out of 5
Alameda de Mazarredo, 61, Bilbao, Vizcaya
The price is RM608 per night from 23 Jan to 24 Jan
RM608
RM669 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Jan - 24 Jan
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Bilbao. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
"Excellent Hotel, right by the Guggenheim!"

Reviewed on 14 Jan 2025

The Artist Grand Hotel of Art
Hotel Silken Indautxu Bilbao
Hotel Silken Indautxu Bilbao
4 out of 5
Plaza Bombero Etxaniz S/n, Bilbao, Vizcaya
The price is RM297 per night from 26 Jan to 27 Jan
RM297
RM326 total
includes taxes & fees
26 Jan - 27 Jan
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (949 reviews)
"Very good place for a quiet stay. Praise to the staff because they were very professional and courteous. Best breakfast of my trip."

Reviewed on 26 Sep 2024

Hotel Silken Indautxu Bilbao
NYX Hotel Bilbao by Leonardo Hotels
NYX Hotel Bilbao by Leonardo Hotels
3.5 out of 5
Areatza Kalea 4, Bilbao
The price is RM261 per night from 2 Feb to 3 Feb
RM261
RM287 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Feb - 3 Feb
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (802 reviews)
"Fantastic news year's Eve dinner. Comfortable room and very clean. Good bar service at reasonable prices. Breakfast had a good range of options."

Reviewed on 3 Jan 2025

NYX Hotel Bilbao by Leonardo Hotels
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Bilbao City Center by abba Suites
Bilbao City Center by abba Suites
3.5 out of 5
Calle Huertas de la Villa 15, Bilbao, Bilbao
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified aparthotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and premium TV channels. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (216 reviews)
Pleasant stay in Bilbao.
"Spacious and well appointed suite. Good convenient location just 10 minutes walks across the river from Guggenheim Museum. Easy access to shops and restaurants. Just be mindful that the carpark is at a separate location about 10 minutes walk/drive from abba suites."

Reviewed on 3 Jan 2025

Bilbao City Center by abba Suites
Apartamentos Turisticos Atxuri
Apartamentos Turisticos Atxuri
2 out of 5
Av de Miraflores 17, Bilbao, Vizcaya
Stay at this aparthotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a 24-hour health club. Popular attractions Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and San Mames ...
7.6/10 Good! (293 reviews)
Great apartments with a short walk to the old city
"Great apartments with the basics you need to prepare meals, dishwasher and washing machine. Extra towels, hygiene and cleaning products was provided. Only thing that was an issue was quality and range of wifi network. Was only available close to entrance. But other than that . Amazing Service provided ..."

Reviewed on 17 May 2024

Apartamentos Turisticos Atxuri
B48 Abando
B48 Abando
4 out of 5
Buenos Aires Kalea 15, Bilbao
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and San ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (37 reviews)
"I really liked the location of this property. It was very convenient for my needs to be “in town”. Having entry on my phone was an added plus. Everything I needed was included. It was great!"

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2024

B48 Abando
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Bilbao

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
106
" "5 - Excellent 66%
4 - Good
48
" "4 - Good 30%
3 - Okay
7
" "3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Pleasant city, surrounded by mountains and with great culture and gastronomy

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great weekend city plenty to see , bus tour good to find locations and hop off when you want . Old town great with lovely Christmas lights , stalls and local wines and pintox.. Guggenheim well worth a visit

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Gugenheim museum excellent. Food very good. Funicular is a must as is the Old town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Guggenheim/ worth a trip

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Wet - take an umbrella- everybody carries one.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The food and wine were excellent the walk by the river was fantastic