Is Bilbao Worth Visiting? 10 Top Reasons to Visit
If you’re ready to explore northern Spain, you’ll wonder, “Is Bilbao worth visiting?” I had the same question as you before travelling there.
Although Bilbao isn’t the capital of the Basque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz is, you’ve probably heard more about Bilbao than its capital, and one of the reasons could be its well-known museum (the Guggenheim Museum).
Apart from its famous museum, Bilbao offers many other reasons to visit, such as its gastronomy, beautiful Gothic architecture and museums, and natural surroundings. These things make it a destination worth exploring.
In this blog, you’re going to discover 10 reasons why Bilbao should be your next Spanish city break.
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Is Bilbao worth visiting? 10 Reasons to Visit Bilbao
1. Its laid-back atmosphere
Bilbao doesn’t feel as touristy as other Spanish destinations. Despite the Guggenheim Museum being a very popular museum and visited by many travellers, you can explore the city without worrying about crowds.
It has a laid-back atmosphere that cosmopolitan cities like Barcelona and Madrid lack, and therefore, Bilbao is a good destination for you if you prefer a more relaxed vibe while visiting a city.
You’ll even have a more tranquil trip if you visit Bilbao off-season, but it’s good to know that there’s a higher chance of rain or more unsettled weather.
2. Its cuisine, especially pintxos
As happens with San Sebastián, Bilbao is a foodie destination. Here pintxos are the norm! If you haven’t heard of pintxos before, these are the equivalent of tapas. They consist of small pieces of bread topped with meat, vegetables or fish. They’re perfect for enjoying a drink and good company.
You’ll find pintxos in many traditional bars. However, one of the best places to eat them is Bilbao Market. The market is divided into two parts: the food market, where locals buy high-quality vegetables, meat and fish and the gourmet area.
The gourmet area is the place to go – plenty of modern stalls with delicious pintxos, a lively atmosphere and a spacious seating area.
I loved the fact of ordering from different places and sharing food with my partner. Plus, the pintxos were very affordable too.
Although most food is savoury, a few stalls sell traditional desserts and cakes. I highly recommend trying Carolina Cake, a meringue covered with chocolate and a wafer base.
3. The Guggenheim Museum
For art lovers, the Guggenheim Museum is the highlight of Bilbao. This museum is among the best museums in Spain because of its unique architecture and collection of paintings and sculptures.
From the moment you step into the museum, you’ll be amazed by how big it is and the different types of art you can find and learn about.
There are three floors to explore, so you can easily spend between an hour or three depending on your interests and if you follow the audio guide.
When visiting this museum, don’t forget to explore its surroundings, including the two huge sculptures on the sides. One is the Puppy, a sculpture in the shape of a puppy made of thousands of flowers, and the other is a giant spider made of steel.
4. Its green landscapes
Bilbao is located in the greenest area of Spain. It’s surrounded by beautiful and diverse landscapes – sandy beaches and small islands, high mountains and lakes.
You don’t need to travel far from Bilbao to see the beauty of the Basque Country and neighbourhood regions like Cantabria.
San Juan de Gatzelutze has become a popular day trip from Bilbao. What used to be a hidden gem is now a well-known spot because of season 6 of the Game of Thrones series. The cast recorded a part of it in this place, although it was called “Dragonstone” in the series.
This place consists of a small island that you can access by a man-made bridge with stairs that lead you to the top, where you’ll find a church. Local legends say that your wish will come true if you ask for a wish and ring the bell three times.
5. Its colourful old town
Bilbao’s old town, known as Casco Viejo in Spanish, is colourful, charming and lively, and home to historic buildings like Bilbao’s Cathedral, boutique shops and pintxo bars.
It’s a place to wander and contemplate the buildings while soaking up the atmosphere and discovering the Seven Streets.
However, it’s also worth going on a walking tour with a local guide so you can learn more about the city if you have time.
6. Its stunning views
Bilbao is surrounded by green landscapes and mountains that you can admire from different parts of the city.
Mirador Arantxa is the main viewpoint in Bilbao. You can access the cable car from Funikularreko Square, which is a few minutes walk from Zubizuri Bridge.
When you step out of the cable car, you’ll find a lovely park with copper statues, big signs that read Bilbao and panoramic views of the city.
Apart from taking some time to admire the views, wander around the park and its surroundings.
When visiting this area, don’t forget to get a windproof jacket as it’s often very windy.
However, if you don’t have time to go to this viewpoint, there is a smaller viewpoint in the old town, which you can access by stairs and offers fantastic views of the cathedral tower and nearby buildings.
7. Its historic buildings (like the cathedral)
The old town of Bilbao is home to significant historic buildings that are worth visiting and learning about.
One of these buildings is its cathedral, which has been considered a National Heritage Site since 1931. It’s among the most significant Gothic buildings in the Basque Country. Discovering the interior of this cathedral is an experience and a must for anyone who loves architecture.
8. Its football culture and atmosphere
If you’re a football fan, you can’t leave Bilbao without visiting San Mamés football stadium, home to the Athletic de Bilbao club.
It’s one of the best football stadiums in Spain. It’s modern and has a very interactive museum where you can learn all about the history behind this football club.
Interestingly, this team has always hired footballers from the region, so there’s an immense feeling of pride.
The stadium tour is worth doing and isn’t as expensive as Real Madrid and Barcelona stadium tours.
Also, if you’re spending enough time in Bilbao and you happen to be in the city on the weekend, check out the football matches.
9. Its hiking trails
Bilbao is surrounded by incredible nature and is a fantastic city to visit if you love hiking. You can find any type of trail – from easy and moderate to challenging. Many of these trails are also in the city or start in the city, so you don’t need to go far to go on a beautiful walk.
The easiest route is the Bilbao Cathedral loop, which takes you through the old town and shows important buildings like the Guggenheim Museum.
However, if you prefer a hiking trail where you can see beautiful natural landscapes, Bidezabal to Sopelana trail is excellent. This 3-4 hour walk takes you through the coastline, where you can admire the impressive cliffs and the views of the North Atlantic Ocean.
10. Its unique celebrations
Attending traditional events in a new city is very exciting. Not only do you get an authentic experience, but you also learn about the history of the place and its locals. It’s a win-win situation.
If you’d like to experience a traditional event in Bilbao, these are the main celebrations and their dates:
- Aste Nagusia. Aste Nagusia, also known as Semana Grande de Bilbao and The Great Week in English is the main festival of Bilbao. It’s a 9-day event held at the end of August. There are plenty of things going on – from Basque music and dancing and sports competitions to parades of giant puppets and stalls with traditional food.
- Feria de Santo Tomás. This celebration is the start of the Christmas season. People from different towns of the Basque Country gather in cities like Bilbao and San Sebastian to celebrate this event on the 21st of December. During this day, you’ll find many stalls where you can taste local products like chorizo, cider and talos (a corn tortilla). But that’s not all; there’s traditional live music and dances.
- Santa Águeda. This event commemorates Santa Agueda, a Sicilian saint who was killed because she declined to marry a governor. She is considered a saint who protects women and nurses. During the 4th and 5th of February, the people from Bilbao take to the streets to sing folk songs to remember this saint.
In addition to these events, Carnaval and Semana Santa (carnival and the Holy Week) are also celebrations that take place in Bilbao, but the difference is that they’re also celebrated across Spain.
How many days should I spend in Bilbao?
Two days are enough to see the main attractions in Bilbao; however, you can also do most things in a day.
If you want to explore places near Bilbao or go on day trips, you’ll need at least 4 days. Some of the best day trips from Bilbao are San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Comillas, San Sebastian and Santillana del Mar.
When should I visit Bilbao?
Located in the north of Spain, Bilbao has a climate different from that of other parts of the country, and this is something to consider when you choose the month you plan to travel to the city.
The best times to visit Bilbao are anytime from June to September. It isn’t too warm or cold to sightsee, and there are fewer chances of rain. The hottest month is August; the highest temperature is 26º degrees (78.8 ºF).
Autumn and spring aren’t bad times to visit Bilbao either, but you need to be prepared for unpredictable and rainy weather. I visited Bilbao in March, and it didn’t rain, but it was a bit windy and chilly.
Avoid travelling to Bilbao in January, as this is the coldest and rainiest month. The maximum temperature is 13 degrees (55.4 ºF), and the minimum temperature is 5 degrees (41 ºF). Regarding rainfall, the average is 14 days.
Is Bilbao safe?
If you read about safety in Bilbao, you probably hear mixed reviews.
The city wasn’t very safe from 1958 to 2018 because of the ETA, a basque terrorist organization. They used to target military members and police officers.
After this, Bilbao has been a much safer destination. During my time in Bilbao, I didn’t have any bad experiences or felt unsafe, but it’s always good to use common sense (i.e. don’t leave your belongings unattended, avoid walking alone in quiet streets at night, etc.)
Other Frequently Asked Questions About if Bilbao Is Worth Visiting
Are there any cons to visiting Bilbao?
Some of the main cons to visiting Bilbao are its cold and rainy winters, the language barrier as many locals don’t speak English and locals speak Euskera and its high prices.
Is Bilbao expensive?
Yes. It isn’t as expensive as Barcelona or Madrid, but Bilbao isn’t a cheap city either. Despite this, you can save money in Bilbao by eating pintxos at the market rather than in restaurants and staying in less central hotels.
So, is Bilbao worth visiting?
Yes! Bilbao is an excellent city break packed with historic buildings, museums, green spaces, and mouthwatering food.
The city offers a different experience from other parts of Spain, like Southern Spain. The buildings, landscapes and food show you another side of Spain and its culture.
If you have any questions about Bilbao, drop them in the comments below. I’ll be happy to help you.
Safe adventures!
Cristina
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Top things to do before visiting Bilbao
- Check out and book your flights to Bilbao with Skyscanner.
- Book the best accommodation for you in Bilbao with Booking.com.
- Learn more about Bilbao by booking a free walking tour.
- Are you planning to visit other nearby Northern Spain destinations? Check out Santander.
- Don’t forget to get travel insurance. This is a must for any trip!
