19+ Cool Things to Do in Bilbao, Spain

Welcome to beautiful Bilbao! This port city in northern Spain is part of the Pais Vasco — the Basque Country. It’s the largest city in this part of Spain, known best for its culinary scene and the famous Guggenheim Museum. 

If you think you know Spanish cities, just wait until you see Bilbao — with its wild architecture, rainy days, green parks, and pintxos bars, Bilbao makes an impression unlike anywhere else!

Bilbao was the first place I visited in the Basque Country — together with my husband and two friends — and I did not expect it to make such an intense impression on me.

As I strolled along the riverside and gaped at the buildings, as I ate plate after plate in an anchovy-themed pintxos bar, as I noted the comprehensive public transportation throughout the city, as I observed Basquiat’s art at the Guggenheim, I thought to myself, “This city is insanely livable.”

Would I live there? That’s a question I ask myself when a city has a great vibe like Bilbao’s, even if I never take myself seriously. I mean, it did help that I had perfectly sunny days and none of the usual Basque precipitation.

But this place is, minimum, incredibly special and way more than its publicity.

Before you come here, it’s important to understand that many Basques consider their country to be separate from Spain. You’ll likely see some political signage and graffiti during your visit. And while you can get by with Spanish here, it’s nice to learn a few Basque phrases, such as “kaixo” (KAY-sho, or hello) and “topa” (cheers!). 

Come to Bilbao with an open mind and a deep respect for Basques and their culture. Take in modern art at the Guggenheim, cruise down the Nervion River, enjoy a day trip out to the Basque coast, and eat all of the pintxos you can get your hands on! 

I really loved my time in Bilbao, and I hope you love your time there, too. Let’s take a look at the best things to do in Bilbao. (And don’t forget my guide to San Sebastián, too!)

This post was published in October 2025 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Riana Ang-Canning.

Best Things to Do in Bilbao, Spain

Visit the Guggenheim Museum 

If you know anything about Bilbao, you’ve probably heard about the Guggenheim Museum. This museum of contemporary and modern art was opened in 1997 and is one of the largest museums in Spain. Visiting here is easily one of the best things to do in Bilbao.

1.3 million visitors visit the Guggenheim Bilbao each year — not just for the art inside, but the artistic exterior as well. Architect Frank Gehry designed the building which features random curves, reflective panels and a flower-shaped atrium.

It’s been called an architectural masterpiece, and it features so nicely in views. I loved the views from the top of Mount Arxanda and from the Puente de la Salve, the bridge right next to the museum.

Inside the Guggenheim you’ll find both rotating permanent exhibits and visiting ones. Some of the most popular pieces include The Matter of Time by Richard Serra and Tulips by Jeff Koons. 

Get lost in the Casco Viejo 

Casco Viejo is Bilbao’s medieval old quarter, located alongside the Nervión River. Here you’ll find shops, bars and a look back in time at Bilbao’s history. The entire area is pedestrianized and very photogenic, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll.

While in Bilbao’s old town, don’t miss Plaza Nueva, a 19th Century square and great place to find pintxos (more on those later!). The Santiago Cathedral is also worth a visit, with its gothic design, porticoes, and cloisters. The Casco is also where you’ll find Mercado de La Ribera, 5.26, and Las Siete Calles, Bilbao’s original streets that date back to the 15th century. 

A great way to learn more about Bilbaoo is to take a walking tour of the Casco Viejo with a local guide. This small group walking tour will teach you both the history and modern stories of Bilbao on a two-hour walk through the old town and downtown of the city. 

Take the Funicular de Artxanda

A ride on the Funicular de Artxanda is one of my favorite things I did in Bilbao. In operation since 1915, Bilbao’s famous cable car offers a short three-minute journey up to Mount Artxanda.

Once you’re at the top, you can enjoy excellent views over the city — including a perfect view of the Guggenheim. Additionally, there are nice walking trails to enjoy.

While at the top, my friends and I spotted a nearby restaurant called Txakoli Ballano, where we enjoyed some white wine and freshly cooked scallops served right in the shell.

Hours of operation vary by season and are more limited on Sundays; generally the funicular opens between 7:15 and 8:15 AM and closes between 10:00 and 11:00 PM. The cars leave every 10-15 minutes and the ride takes just three minutes. You can ride the cable car one-way or buy round-trip tickets. 

Shop and eat at La Ribera Market

La Ribera Market, located in Bilbao’s Casco Viejo, is the largest covered food market in Europe. Spanning 2.5 acres and home to almost 200 businesses, Mercado de La Ribera is a must-visit for traveling foodies!

The current Art Deco building that houses the market, complete with stained glass windows, was built in 1929. Its three floors are filled with traditional stands from nearby villages selling fish, meat, fruit and vegetables. Both residents and tourists flock to the market for their shopping.

In addition to fresh produce, La Ribera Market also has a food court where you can enjoy beer, grilled meat, seafood and pintxos. A café-bar offers views over the river, live jazz music and even the option to have your market purchases cooked on-site for you! 

One piece of advice — I would avoid visiting on a Sunday if possible. We visited on Sunday, and while some food vendors were open in the lively center of the market, most small produce sellers had their stands closed.

Gawk over the bridges 

Bilbao is a riverside city with quite a few interesting bridges. Zubia or zubi, the Basque words for bridge, will come up often as you criss-cross your way around Bilbao. And lucky for you, these bridges are not only functional but aesthetically pleasing as well! 

The Zubizuri Bridge (White Bridge, pictured above), by famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, is a controversial one. While some admire its architectural design, others criticize its construction. 

Zubizuri’s glass pathway resulted in so many falls on slippery, rainy days that eventually a carpet was installed. A number of broken tiles were also discovered. Further controversy erupted when the city council modified the bridge to add a walkway. This resulted in Calatrava suing the city council over the moral rights to the integrity of his creation, a lawsuit he eventually won. Fun times!

Far less controversial is Salbeko Zubia, also known as La Salve Bridge or the Prince and Princess of Spain Bridge. It’s a concrete bridge, parts of it painted green with a large red arc, and it’s the first bridge to be built in Spain with the cable-stayed system. It’s right next to the Guggenheim, so you’ll be able to get excellent photos.

Try all the pintxos

Pintxos are Northern Spain’s version of tapas — small plates of food, often held together with toothpicks, served at bars to accompany a drink. But pintxos are so much more than just basic bar food. Basque cuisine is wild and innovative and pushes the boundaries.

Many bars around the Basque region pride themselves on their high-quality pintxos featuring fresh, local ingredients — and while San Sebastián may be home to world-famous pintxos bars, Bilbao’s scene is much more local and low-key.

Most pintxos dishes are served on bread with a toothpick speared through them. They can be enjoyed for both lunch or dinner, but keep in mind that Spanish meal times can be on the late side. Most bars will be open for lunch from 1:00-4:00 PM and open back up at 8:00 PM until late for dinner.

The Casco Viejo neighborhood is a great place to go pintxos-hopping in Bilbao. One of my favorite spots is Antxoa Taberna, a tapas bar on Plaza Nueva. They specialize in anchovy dishes and everything we ordered was so good, we returned for a second visit!

Go on a Bilbao Food Tour

My friends and I came to Northern Spain for the food scene — and Bilbao and the Basque Country are two great places to explore their culinary treasures. This region and the food they produce here is worlds away from other Spanish cuisine and absolutely worth discovering on a delicious, in-depth food tour. 

On this award-winning Bilbao food and wine tour, your local guide will teach you about the city’s cuisine, nightlife and history as you visit bars throughout the old town. At each stop you’ll enjoy one to two pintxos as well as a drink.

Or check out this Authentic Bilbao Pintxos, Food & History Tour where your small group will discover Bilbao’s pintxos scene with accompanying drinks. On this tour, people rave about the delicious food, fun atmosphere, and energetic and knowledgeable local guides.  

Take a Basque cooking class

Now that you’ve tasted Basque food on a food tour or pintxos bar crawl, it’s time to try your hand at making some for yourself! I enjoy taking a cooking class when I love a certain region’s cuisine but have no clue how to cook it — it’s a great way to get to know the local culture and meet some friendly locals.

Check out this immersive Basque cooking class, complete with an open bar of Txakoli and Rioja wine! In a small group you’ll prepare 4-5 dishes (starters, a main and a dessert) while learning about the history and importance of each dish.

Dishes will vary based on what market produce is in season but can include gilda (the original Basque pintxo made with anchovies, olives and peppers), Marmitako (Basque stew with tuna) and a traditional Basque toast dessert. 

You’ll go home with recipes, tips for recreating these Basque dishes, a souvenir apron and a full stomach.

Or, if you’re shorter on time and would rather focus solely on pintxos, check out this Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao. Your small group will prepare four pintxos dishes, including grilled cod and spicy mushrooms. This will be accompanied by cheeses, charcuterie, dessert and an open bar of local wines. 

Visit the Puppy 

While most of the Guggenheim’s famous artwork lies inside the museum, there are a few memorable pieces located outside of the museum that you can admire free of charge. The most famous is Puppy by Jeff Koons, the world’s largest flower sculpture.

Puppy is a large-scale sculpture made of stainless steel, soil and flowering plants. It combines the themes of modern computer modeling and a historic European garden into a giant West Highland Terrier covered in flowers. Koons explains that his 1992 sculpture is meant to create optimism, and instill confidence and security. 

Above all, a giant puppy statue covered in flowers just makes people smile, so don’t miss it on your walk past the Guggenheim! I had to take a few selfies with it.

Visit Bilbao’s other museums

While the Guggenheim is Bilbao’s largest and most famous museum, there are plenty of other museums to check out. As the Basque Country is known for its wet weather, I think it’s wise to have a list of great indoor museums you can visit if you need a break from the rain. 

• Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts): Bilbao’s fine art museum houses three main collections of classical art, contemporary art and Basque art. Their permanent collections are complemented by crowd-drawing temporary exhibitions.  
• Euskal Museoa (Basque Museum): For over 100 years, Euskal Museoa has told the story of the Basque people with over 20,000 historic objects on display. Double-check whether it’s open as it was temporarily closed as of 2025.
• Museo Marítimo Ría de Bilbao (Maritime Museum of Bilbao): Also known as Itsasmuseum Bilbao, here you can learn about the maritime history of the Bilbao Estuary. There are both indoor exhibits and vessels you can see out on the docks. 
• Museo de Reproducciones Artísticas (Reproductions Museum): Opened in 1927, this museum features casts (reproductions) of famous sculptures, meant to bring classical art to the residents of Bilbao. 

Tour Bilbao by boat

The Nervion River snakes back and forth through Bilbao, and one of the best ways to explore the city is to take a boat ride! A boat tour is a wonderful option if you need a break from walking (or if you’re looking for more accessible sightseeing) and a cool way to get a new perspective on this city city. 

On this sightseeing boat tour, you can opt for a one hour or two hour ride down the Nervion River and Estuary of Bilbao. You’ll cruise through the heart of Bilbao, learning about its landmarks and history through an audio guide, and out towards the Deusto Canal.

Or, if you’d like to head even farther out, opt for the Bilbao Estuary and Abra Bay Boat Tour. On this almost three-hour boat tour, you’ll head along the Nervion River from the city center out towards the sea. Along the way you’ll see famous buildings, fishing ports, bridges, and more.  

How about paddling your own way down the river? Bilbo Bentura rents kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

Visit the parks of Bilbao

While best known for its museums and food culture, I was also impressed with the amount of parks and greenery in Bilbao. If you’re looking for an urban escape, try one of these parks: 

• Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park: The main green space in the city, here you’ll find fountains, a duck pond, an English garden and the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum.
• Etxebarria Park: This is one of the largest green zones in the city and offers gorgeous panoramic views of Bilbao.
• Mount Artxanda: This is the park located at the top of Funicular de Artxanda where you can enjoy spectacular views and walking trails. 
• El Arenal Park: Located by the river, this park is great for leisurely walks and enjoying live performances.
• Barakaldo Botanical Garden: Just north of Bilbao, this massive botanical garden contains over 300 tree species and is where “vegetation becomes art.”

Explore Bilbao by e-bike

A great way to explore a city and get a little exercise in at the same time is by e-bike. I love how e-bikes give you so much power and make climbing hills so much easier, even if you don’t cycle much at home.

Head out on this half-day private or small group ebike tour to see the highlights of Bilbao with your local guide. You’ll learn about the city’s history and see icons like the Zubizuri Bridge, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Le Ribera Market and the Philippe Starck designed Azkuna Zentroa.

Or if you’d rather bike along the sea than in the city, check out this Bike & Pintxos tour in Getxo, just a quick metro ride from Bilbao’s city center.

On this tour your guide will show you favorite local bike paths, take you to scenic clifftop and seaside views, and bring you to the Vizcaya Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This tour also includes a stop in a fishing port for drinks and pintxos! 

Go Shopping

Truth? On my last day in the Basque Country, my friends decided to hang out in Lekeitio until our flight — but I took an early bus back to Bilbao. For one reason: to shop.

There are lots of interesting Spanish brands that you’ll struggle to find on the ground outside Spain, and I found it so entertaining just to see what is out there! Spainiards have excellent style.

You’ll find tons of places to shop in downtown Bilbao. I made sure to spend time in El Corte Inglés, which is the big department store chain in Spain. Their building in Bilbao is enormous.

I’m also a fan of the mid-range Spanish brand Bimba Y Lola, which has a lot of nice clothing and accessories. They have their own dedicated shop in Bilbao.

The one place I could not find was Loewe, my favorite Spanish designer brand. Unfortunately I could not find Loewe for sale anywhere, not even in El Corte Inglés. (Which puts my fruitless search for Loewe products in Logroño into perspective…)

Take a day trip to San Sebastián 

Is a day trip to San Sebastián worth it? Honestly, I would do anything you can to stay overnight. The pintxos bar scene is one of the best things about San Sebastián, and it really gets going from 8:00 PM onwards, which means your options are staying overnight or taking a late bus back.

But if you’re limited on time, San Sebastián (known as Donostia in the Basque language) is still a worthwhile day trip from Bilbao. There are plenty of things to do here, and the beaches are sensational.

Upon arriving in San Sebastán, spend your day exploring the city’s beauty, history and food scene. Walk along La Concha beach and take the funicular to Monte Urgull for a beautiful view; get a history lesson in the old town and at San Telmo Museum; and visit as many pintxos bars and restaurants as you can — this city is rich in Michelin stars! 

The best way to get from Bilbao to San Sebastián is to take the bus, which takes a little over an hour. Buses are affordable and run all day. There are also direct buses to San Sebastián from Bilbao Airport.

Read More: Best Things to Do in San Sebastián, Spain

Take a day trip to Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka and Gernika

If you’re looking to spend a scenic day in the Basque countryside, check out this small group day trip to Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka and Gernika. This trip offers something for everyone, whether you’re into natural views, pop culture references or cultural history. 

Your trip will start off in Gaztelugatxe, a beautiful islet off the Bay of Biscay. But you may recognize it as Dragonstone from Game of Thrones! Next, you’ll visit Mundaka, best known for its fishing traditions and surfing community. 

Finally, you’ll stop in Gerinka for a dose of Basque history. You may be familiar with Picasso’s painting Guernica (the Spanish spelling), which is about how the town was bombed during the Spanish Civil War in 1937.

Here you’ll visit the Assembly House to see the Tree of Gernika, a symbol of the history of the Basque people. Then you’ll walk through the public air raid shelters. Here is an important reminder of a dark time in Spain that we must never forget.

Take a day trip to Lekeitio 

Lekeitio is a small fishing town on the coast between Bilbao and San Sebastian. My friends and I ended up spending the final days of our 10-day northern Spain trip here, and I found Lekeitio to be a super chilled out destination.

But if you don’t have a few days, a day trip is great as well! A calm seaside town is the perfect foil to Bilbao’s city atmosphere.

The best thing to do in Lekeitio is hit the beach. Because of its location at the mouth of the Lea River, the tides drastically change the landscape along the coast. From the main beach, Isuntza, you can walk out to San Nicolas Island at low tide. There’s also Karraspio Beach and La Salvaje Beach to explore. 

Besides the beaches you can walk around Lekeitio’s old town and port, visit the Church of Asunción de Nuestra Señora, and enjoy some freshly caught seafood.

To get to Lekeitio from Bilbao, it’s about a 90-minute journey by bus, and a few buses run each day. The journey is closer to an hour if you’re driving yourself.

Take a day trip to the wineries of La Rioja

La Rioja is Spain’s most famous wine region and one of my personal favorites! I honestly don’t think you can beat Rioja wine when it comes to value for money. The La Rioja region borders the Basque Country, and it makes a great day trip from Bilbao if you want to enjoy a glass of wine, interesting architectural styles and lush landscapes. 

On this Architectural Rioja Small Group Wine Tour, you’ll visit two wineries, Bodegas Marqués de Riscal and Bodegas Ysios. Both wineries are known not only for their delicious Rioja wines, but also for their impressive architecture, with designs by Frank Gehry and Santiago Calatrava. 

On your day trip you’ll sample wines, go on a guided tour of the wineries and vineyards, and stop for lunch and a stroll in the beautiful village of Laguardia. All of the tastings, tours, transportation, and lunch are included in your tour cost. 

Take a day trip to Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz, and San Sebastian

Explore the best of the best on the Basque coast on this day trip to Biarritz, Saint Jean De Luz and San Sebastian. These are three of the most famous towns in the Basque Country.

Your first stop of the day is Biarritz, a French seaside resort town that has been hosting Europe’s rich and famous since the 1800’s. Here you’ll enjoy a panoramic stroll around town taking in the views, beaches and surf.

Up next is a stop at Saint Jean de Luz, a charming fishing town known for its beauty, history and local cuisine. Your tour includes some local food tastings, plus time for shopping and exploring.

Finally, you’ll cross back into Spain and visit San Sebastián. Here your group will head out on a walking tour, including a walk up Mount Igueldo for the views. You’ll also enjoy tasting a local dessert and having some free time for lunch and more exploring.  

I’ll caution you that these are a lot of iconic destinations to pack into one day, and I would only choose this tour if I were short on time. If you have the time, you could base in San Sebastián and spend a few days exploring the other towns.

Where to Stay in Bilbao, Spain

Bilbao has a decent hotel selection as far as Spanish cities go, and you can find accommodation at a variety of price points.

A lot of people assume it’s best to stay in the old town — the Casco Viejo — but I don’t recommend this because it’s a pedestrianized area. Staying here means dragging your luggage from as close as cars can get, which could be several blocks away, and you won’t be able to get picked up right from your hotel.

Just know that before going. I think it’s more worth it to stay close to but not actually in Casco Viejo, in an area where cars can actually go.

• Top-Rated Luxury Hotel in Bilbao: Goein Boutique Hotel — Incredibly stylish boutique hotel that feels special and is worth a splurge.
• Top-Rated Mid-Range Hotel in Bilbao: Sercotel Arenal Bilbao — Perfect location on Plaza Nueva with nice, value-for-money rooms.
• Top-Rated Budget Hotel in Bilbao: Ibis Bilbao Centro — Clean, simple rooms with an excellent central location.

Find deals on places to stay in Bilbao here.

Best Time to Visit Bilbao, Spain

Bilbao is a real city where people live year-round, so you can visit just about anytime and find plenty of things to do. But it’s good to be cautious about the weather.

The Basque Country and northern Spain have a very different climate from Andalusia, Barcelona, and even Madrid. This part of the country is cooler, greener, and much rainier. Rain is a year-round risk you should plan for (I know my pictures don’t show this; I lucked out!).

Summer temperatures in Bilbao usually peak around 79° F (26° C), while winters are mild but damp, with temperatures in the high 40s to low 50s° F (8–12° C).

My top recommendation would be to visit Bilbao in late spring through early fall to avoid the worst of the rain. If you’re doing a trip through the Basque Country like me, I would recommend avoiding July and August because those months can be incredibly crowded and expensive in San Sebastián and beach towns along the coast.

Winter can be a nice time to visit Bilbao, though — you can enjoy uncrowded museums and pintxos bars. Just make sure you pack appropriately warm clothing, because I find that damp places can feel even colder than snowy places in the winter!

No matter when you visit, pack an umbrella or a waterproof jacket. You will very likely need it.

How to Get to Bilbao, Spain

Bilbao is home to its own international airport, with plenty of flights all over Europe. If you’re flying into the Basque Country, I would recommend flying into Bilbao, as they have the best selection of flights. I flew here direct from Prague.

San Sebastián, Biarritz, and Vitoria-Gasteiz are all home to airports within the general region, but each have a smaller selection of flights.

If you’re traveling overland, you have plenty of options within Spain. There are a few direct trains to Bilbao per day from Madrid (4.5-5.5 hours) and Barcelona (6:45-8 hours).

You’ll find more transportation options via bus, however, especially within the Basque Country, which is mountainous and doesn’t have extensive train connections.

How to get around Bilbao: Bilbao has a robust public transportation system, and they also have Uber. But much of the city center is actually pretty walkable, so you might be surprised how much time you spend on foot!

How Much Time To Spend in Bilbao, Spain

I think Bilbao is worth two full days of exploration. Take a few tours if you’d like, spend time exploring the city on foot, do a bit of shopping or eating, and of course visit a few museums.

If you have a third day to spare, consider taking one of the day trips I mentioned above.

Of course, if you’d like to stay longer than that, go for it! Bilbao seems like the kind of place that gets under your skin, and with a full week you could actually become a regular at some cool places.

Is Bilbao Worth It?

I was surprised at just how much I loved Bilbao. In fact, I loved it so much, at the end of the trip, I jumped on a bus back to Bilbao from Lekeitio a few hours early so I could explore more of the city!

If you love cities that are livable, with plenty of greenery, and dynamite food, this is one of them.

Have a fabulous time in Bilbao — and the Basque Country! This is a special place.

More on the Basque Country:

• 26+ Fun Things to Do in San Sebastián, Spain

More on Spain:

• Where to Stay in Barcelona: Best Neighborhoods and Hotels
• How to Plan a Day Trip to Andorra from Barcelona
• Las Fallas: The Festival of Fire in Valencia, Spain
• 13 Reasons to Fall in Love with Costa Brava, Spain
• I Ate Everything in Costa Brava, Spain
• Madrid in One Day: As Curated By My Readers
• Absolute Enchantment at the Alhambra

More on Foodie Destinations in Europe:

• 25 Best Food Experiences in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• What to Eat in Sicily: 30+ Iconic Dishes
• 17 Best Prague Restaurants (according to a local hardcore foodie!)

Have you been to Bilbao? What would you suggest? Share away!

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