Is Bilbao Worth Visiting? All of the Reasons Why You Should Go!

Bilbao Spain may not be regularly considered when thinking of destinations in Spain. Given its location in the Basque Region – with its rich history, spectacular architecture, wondrous museums, tantalizing cuisine, and stunning views – Bilbao is absolutely worth a look.

The things to do in Bilbao include exploring the architecture, visiting the museums, including the iconic Guggenheim Museum, walking the pedestrian friendly streets and as well as the banks of the River Nervión, and renting a car to check out the other cities along the northern coast of Spain.

Why Visit Bilbao?

History buffs will love exploring the old quarter, where they can view ornate churches. Art lovers can visit the world famous Guggenheim Museum with its stunning titanium exterior and impressive modern art collection. Foodies will fall in love with Bilbao’s pinchos/pinxtos bars, where small plates (also known as tapas) of delicious regional specialities paired with a local beverage are the order of the day. For those looking to get active, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities such as hiking and river kayaking.

All of the Reasons Why Bilbao is Worth Visiting

Given the unique history of the area plus the architecture, museums, food, outdoor activities, and amazing day trips – Bilbao belongs on every itinerary of Spain.

1. Marvel at the Historical Architecture

The architecture of Bilbao has a wonderful way of combining the old and the new. There is a term in architecture, “the Bilbao effect”, describing what can happen to a previously economically depressed city after cultural investment and eye-popping architecture are introduced.

2. Wander through Casco Viejo (Old Quarter)

The medieval neighborhood, known both in Spanish as Casco Viejo and in Basque as Alde Zaharra, is situated with the River Nervión to the west. The “right bank” of the river allowed for Casco Viejo to be the epicenter of port activities and commerce.

Walls surrounded the quarter until the end of the 19th century. Casco Viejo is also known by its seven streets, or Las Siete Calles, which was the original layout of the quarter. Three streets ran parallel to the river and four streets ran perpendicular to the river.

Catedral de Santiago

One of the oldest building in Bilbao is the Catedral de Santiago. Built as the main parish church in the 14th and 15 centuries, it became a cathedral in 1950.

The church is dedicated to Saint (Santiago in Spanish) James, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus and had served as a stopping point along the northern route of the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James in English).

The Gothic architecture of the cathedral, a style originating in France and popular from the 12th to 16th centuries, is seen in the main vault and cloisters. Gothic architecture includes pointed arches, exterior flying buttresses (an architectural feature resembling a bridge and meant to fortify tall walls), stained glass, spires, and ribbed vaults (interior arches that connect and help fortify the walls, ceiling, and roof).

The main entrance, or facade, and the spire showcase the Gothic Revival architectural style. Gothic Revival was popular in the late 18th and 19th century, when architects rediscovered and improved upon Gothic architecture.

Parroquia de San Antón

Parish of Saint Anthony the Great is a smaller church located along the River Nervión about 300 yards (275 meters) to the southeast of the Catedral de Santiago. Construction on the parish started in the late 15th century on a plot of land that had been a warehouse for 300 years prior. The parish was consecrated in 1433.

The parish is dedicated to Saint Anthony the Great, also know Saint Anthony the Abbott or Saint Anthony of Egypt, is considered to be the Father of all Monks due to his life as a hermit and in the desert and wilderness in Egypt.

Saint Anthony (251-356 AD) was born into a wealthy Egyptian family, but followed the teachings of the Bible after his parent’s death and sold his possessions and donate to the poor in preparations for the treasures in heaven. His discipline and solitary life where he abstained from meat and alcohol and only consumed bread, salt and water was depicted in the Life of Anthony, written around 360 AD by Athanasius of Alexandria.

As the parishioners increased, construction on a larger church started in 1478. The renovations incorporated more of the Gothic architecture with the spires and ribbed vaults, similar to the Catedral de Santiago, and finished in the early 16th century.

Bilbao City Hall

Bilbao City Hall was built in 1892 on the site of a former San Agustín convent, which had been destroyed in the First Carlist War (first of three civil wars fought over succession of power after King Ferdinand VII of Spain died in 1833).

The Baroque architecture, a style originating in Italy during the late 16th century and characterized by its grandiose and intricate details and ornamentation as a more theatrical expansion of Renaissance architecture, which relied more on domes and columns.

The interior of City Hall have elements of Neo-Renaissance design, including the staircase and assembly hall. The Neo-Mudéjar (a Spanish Arab/Moorish design with horseshoe arches and Arab tiles) Arab Hall is used for official receptions and weddings.

3. Explore the Iconic Guggenheim Museum

Many people see an image of the Guggenheim Museum when thinking of the Bilbao skyline.

As one of the largest museums in Spain, the international prestige associated with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and the incomparable architectural design of Frank Gehry helped forge Bilbao as a cultural destination since its opening in October 1997.

The building, itself a work of art, is mainly titanium, glass, and limestone. The titanium seems a bit like a mirror helping to reflect the city back to the viewer. The materials used in the construction of the museum mimic the industrial feel of the city.

The museum’s exhibits focus on international and Spanish artists. The interior of the building has quite a bit of natural light, especially in the atrium, thanks to the glass along the exterior. The glass windows allow the view of the hillsides and river to be a part of the museum’s visual experience.

The sculptures on the river side of the museum is a large spider and on the street side of the museum is a floral dog.

4. Take in the Bilbao Museum of Fine Arts

Bilbao Museum of Fine Art (Museo de Bellas Artes) originally started as two museums. The Fine Arts Museum opened in 1908 and the Modern Art Museum opened in 1924. After the Spanish Civil War ended in 1939, a new building was started to house the collections of both museums.

The museum houses European and Spanish artists spanning from the 12th century to modern times, including El Greco (who moved from Italy to Spain in the early 17th century and was instrumental in the Spanish Renaissance), Francisco de Zubaran (known as the Spanish Caravaggio due to his use of chiaroscuro – or heavily contrasting light and shadow), Francisco Goya (one of Spain’s most well regarded artists whose paintings and drawings documented the politics of the late 18th and early 19th century), and Paul Gauguin (known for his Post-Impressionism paintings and friendships with Edgar Degas and Vincent Van Gogh and helping inspire Pablo Picasso).

5. Taste Your Way Through Tapas (Pintxos)

The food in Bilbao includes small plates (tapas in Spanish and pintxos in the Basque language) and wonderful seafood options, which harkens back to the origin of the city as a fisherman’s village.

Serantes III, located at Alameda de Mazarredo, 75 and near the Guggenheim Museum, offers delicious seafood dishes, Iberian meats, and pintxos.

For more information, including location and reservations, please visit the restaurant’s website.

Agavero Restaurante Mexicano, located at Alameda de Mazarredo, 65 and near the Guggenheim Museum, offers authentic Mexican cuisine including chilaquiles, nachos, tacos, quesadillas, and burritos in addition to Mexican beers.

For more information, including location and menu, please visit the restaurant’s website.

6. Roll Around Town on a Bicycle Tour

Bilbao has many options for exploring the city and area, including walking city tours, guided or self-guided bicycle/e-bike tours, and boat tours available.

Tourné Bilbao has guided bicycle tours, including the major sites of Bilbao, including the Guggenheim Museum as well as the city’s parks, bridges and plazas. The bicycle tour follows bike lanes to ensure the comfort and safety of the participants.

The tour is 3 hours and costs 35€ and can accommodate 2-12 people.

Another option covers less touristy sites and more of the industrial and cultural history of Bilbao. The tour is 3 hours and costs 35€ and can accommodate 2-15 people.

Private bicycle tours can be arranged. The private bicycle tour can include the football stadium, the art and architecture of the city, and other cultural centers. The tour length and number of people accommodated will vary and the costs start at 195€.

7. E-Bike Along the Riverside

Tourné Bilbao has e-bike tours following the River Nervión and her waterways, which allow for those who want a more expansive experience.

The two tours run 5 hours and travels to other parts of the Bilbao metro area, one exploring the history and culture of the area (Tourne-Portu Zaharra or Tourne Gold Coast) as well as the other exploring the role that iron extraction played in the industrialization and prominence of the area (Tourne-Muskiz or Tourne All Iron).

Each tour can accommodate 2-15 people and costs 68€.

There is also an option for a self-guided e-bike tour allowing for the Tourne-Tourne Gold Coast and the Tourne All Iron routes to be explored using a downloadable map, printed guide, or GPS.

8. Explore on Foot While Enjoying Food and Drink

Tourné Bilbao has walking city tour options while enjoying local cuisine and beverages.

One walking tour includes pintxos and wine with a stop in Casco Viejo. The tour is 3 hours and costs 69€ and can accommodate 2-12 people.

Another walking tour explores the artistic elements of the city, enjoying street art and craft beer. The tour is 3 hours and costs 38€ and can accommodate 2-15 people.

For a more customizable experience, a private walking city tour can be arranged as well. The private tour can be tailored to specific preferences and can include the pintxos and wine, artistic zones, and architecture.

The tour length and number of people accommodated will vary and the cost starts at 195€

9. Hit the Water on a Kayak, SUP, or Step Board

Given the location of Bilbao along the River Nervión, there is also the option to tour the area by water.

Kayak, stand up paddle board, and step boards (a type of watercraft resembling a bicycle and a stand up paddle board) can be rented at Bilbobentura. They offer the options to see Bilbao by personal watercraft and bikes with a variety of tour options, including day or night excursions.

10. Sail the Nervión River

For a more relaxed water touring experience, Bilboats has two sailing options – Sailing Bilbao and Sailing to Sea.

Sailing Bilbao is an hour long tour of the city of Bilbao from the river. The boat sails March – December with varying hours, depending on the month, and include day and evening tours. For pricing and schedule as well as purchasing tickets, please visit their website.

Sailing to the Sea is a two hour tour following the river to the sea. The boat also sails March – December with varying hours, depending on the month, and includes day and evening tours. For pricing and schedule, please visit their website.

11. Escape to the Mountains

If hiking sounds more appealing, the surrounding mountains offer several options. The two most accessible mountains are Pagassari, located south of the city and Artxanda, located north of the city.

The hike up to Pagassari is considered an easy to intermediate 10 mile round trip hike.

The hike up to Artxanda is also considered an easy to intermediate hike and is under 5 miles round trip.
Artxanda can also be reached via funicular. The ride to the top takes 3 minutes and trains depart every 15 minutes.

12. Relax on the Beach in San Sebastian

San Sebastian (Donostia in the Basque language) is on the northern coast of Spain, just 20 miles from the border with France, and capital of the Gipuzkoa region. The city is perched between the hills of Mount Urgull, Mount Ulia, Mount Adarra, and Mount Igueldo and the beaches of La Concha, Ondaretta, and Zurriola.  

This gorgeous coastal city offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking the surrounding hills.  The funicular up Mount Igueldo, built in 1912 and the oldest funicular in the Basque region, allows for visitors to take in the stunning views of the La Concha Bay.  Also atop Mount Igueldo is a classic amusement park (https://www.monteigueldo.es/home) with 20 attractions for children of all ages, including a rollercoaster dating back to 1928.

Exploring Mount Urgull allows the history of the city to come alive with the ancient paths and fortresses as well as La Mota Castle.  In the mid-12 century, the early walls of San Sebastian were built to provide defense for the city when it was ruled by the Kingdom of Navarre.

Back at sea level at the base of Mount Urgull, the district of Old Town juts out between the River Urumea and La Concha Bay and offers winding streets with shops, pintxos restaurants, and vibrant street art. Originally surrounded by walls until 1863, the remnants of which are visible along the Portaletes gate near the old harbor, Old Town also contains the San Vicente Church, the Basilica of Santa Maria, and the Placa de la Constitución.  Another popular site in Old Town along La Concha Bay is the Aquarium, with fish from the region and a bit of naval history.

The beaches in San Sebastian each have their own personality and characteristics.  The soft white sand of La Concha Beach is rated one of the top beaches in the world and is the most visited.  Along La Concha Bay, one cannot help being captivated by the Miramar Palace, built in 1893 and used as a royal summer residence until 1973.  While the Palace is only open for special events, visitors can explore the gardens and take in the view of the Bay.

Ondarreta Beach is a smaller beach and very popular for sports, including volleyball, beach tennis and soccer.  Zurriola Beach also offers a place for sports, but is better known as the best beach in the city for surfing.  While strolling along the beaches, keep an eye open for the open air sculptures.

13. Get Outdoors in Santander

Santander is on the northern coast of Spain and capital of the Cantabria region.  The city is nestled between the Cantabrian Mountains to the south and the Cantabrian sea.  Known as “the bride of the sea”, this port city was first mentioned in 1068 and gained prominence under the Crown of Castile and trade with the New World.  The Banco de Santander, started in 1857, is now Spain’s largest bank.

Given its geography and climate, the city is perfect for all sorts of outdoor activities. There are wonderful bike paths throughout the city, which allows for an easy and convenient way to explore the city. 

There are over 10 beaches with soft and golden sand along the eastern and southern parts of the city.  The most accessible beaches are El Sardinero and Los Peligros.  Both are wonderful places to sunbathe, relax, and swim.  El Sardinero beach has an area known to be friendly to beginner surfers.

The Matalenas Beach, a little more secluded and in a cove in the northeast part of the city, can be accessed from the Parque de Matalenas.  There is a staircase from the cliffs down to the beach and its shallow water.  

On the far southeast side of the city is a peninsula known as Magdalena Park.  At the entrance to the park is a tourist train to help with exploring the area. The Palacio Magdalena, perched on the highest point in the peninsula, served as a royal summer residence from 1911 to 1977.  The park also has a small marine zoo with seals and sea lions frolicking in the water coming straight from the sea as well as two beaches.  

Just outside of Magdalena Park and to the south is the Maritime Museum, which showcases the role the sea had in the region.  The museum has four sections – life at sea, fishermen and fisheries, the region and the sea in history, and technology.

West of the Maritime Museum is Old Town, known locally as Puertochico.  This part of town was where the fishing piers originally stood before being relocated southwest to the Barrio Pesquero.  Many of the buildings in Santander were destroyed in a fire in 1941, but many 18th and 19th century buildings can be found in Old Town.  This part of town is great for walking and enjoying the local cuisine and pintxos.

To the west of Puertochico is the Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion Cathedral (or Our Lady of the Assumption), also known as the Cathedral of Santander is located on the Somorrostro Hill.  The Cathedral has sections dating from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries.  

Best Time of Year to Visit Bilbao

There is almost never a bad time to visit Bilbao. The average temperature most of the year ranges from the mid 60s to upper 80s.

The winter months are temperate and the city rarely sees snow. The average temperature in the winter months is mid 40s, though the wind coming off the water can be quite cool after sunset.

The spring months are warmer though there may be periods of rain. Given the river and proximity to the Bay of Biscay, the humidity can make these months less appealing for some travelers.

The summer months are the best time to visit the area, especially the nearby beaches. The warmth of the summer months allows for an easier time for the outdoor activities. Make sure to stay hydrated with the outdoor activities, especially on the warmer days.

The autumn months are still a lovely time to visit the area, with the warm days lasting until mid-October. The evenings will be cool, especially late October and early November.

Getting to and around Bilbao

Bilbao Airport

The Bilbao Airport is located approximately 6 miles north of the city of Bilbao.

There are taxis at the airport that can take passengers into Bilbao. The official taxi service at the airport is Asociación Auto Taxis Femade. The approximate fare from the Bilbao airport to downtown Bilbao is € 24-30.

Uber is also available in Bilbao and can be used to get from the airport to the city as well as within the city.

Bilbao Metro

Bilbao Metro covers the city of Bilbao as well as the greater Bilbao region.

For getting around the city of Bilbao, Zone 1 will suffice. Zones 2-5 cover the rest of the region and the areas outside of Bilbao. The ticket purchases are based on the Zones being utilized on the trips.

The metro system is a “closed system” which means each ride’s ticket needs to be validated upon entering the station and upon exiting the station.

Bilbao Tram

Another way to navigate the city is the Bilbao tram system.

What Makes Bilbao Special (aka the History of the Region)

Here is a brief history lesson for the area known as the Basque Country or Euskadi in the native language. Basque Country is an autonomous region of northeast Spain and southwest France along the western Pyrenees Mountains and Bay of Biscay.

There are three provinces in the Southern Basque Country – Alava, Biscay, and Gipuzkoa – and Bilbao is the capital of the province of Biscay.

The Basque Country has its own language, known as Euskara, that is older than the Romance languages (those derived from Latin, such as Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese) and seems to not be related to any other language of the region. In fact, the origins of Euskara are still a mystery even though many theories exist.

Neanderthal cave paintings point to humans having lived in the Biscay area since the middle Paleolithic period (250,000-30,000 years ago).

The Basque tribes are mentioned in writings as far back as the early 1st century AD.

The city of Bilbao was founded in 1300 by Diego López V de Haro, Lord of Biscay, who modernized the fishing village into a town. Excavations show an old city wall dating back to approximately the 11th century.

The Port of Bilbao grew in prominence, especially starting in the 16th century when it was designated as a vital port, especially related to trade with the Spanish Empire. Wool to Flanders (now Belgium) and iron were the main materials moving through Bilbao.

The area gained wealth and prestige through the profits of exports and trade, having an impact on the industrial and financial sectors, including Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, or BBVA, which started as Banco de Bilbao in 1857.

Over the centuries, the province of Biscay aligned itself with any ruler who would continue to promote the area’s autonomy. When the Spanish Civil War broke out in 1936, the province supported the Republicans, who opposed the Nationalists and the military general Francisco Franco’s attempts to overthrow the Spanish Republic. However, when Franco and the Nationalists emerged victorious in 1939, the autonomy of the two of the three provinces of the Basque Country – Biscay and Gipuzkoa – was revoked as punishment for their opposition.

When Franco died in 1975 and democracy was established in Spain, autonomy was restored to the Basque Country and in 1979 and the 3 provinces formed the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, with its own parliament.

Bilbao FAQs

How Many Days Do You Need in Bilbao?

On average, 5-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in Bilbao and have time to enjoy Santander and San Sebastian.

In Bilbao, one day could be spent at the museums, another day exploring Casco Viejo and the historical architecture, one day for hiking, one day for taking in the the wonderful walking/biking/water tours, and additional days for seeing Santander and San Sebastian.

Bilbao and the Basque Country are such a multi-faceted and dynamic place to absorb the culture, the history, and scenery, and the food.

Is Bilbao Expensive?

Bilbao is a much less expensive place to visit when compared to other cities in Spain as well as other destinations throughout Europe.

By looking at free or reduced rates for attractions and museums and taking public transportation, Bilbao is a very affordable option when wanting to visit Spain and savor all the Basque region offers from its architecture to museums to cuisine and outdoor activities.

Is Bilbao Safe for Travelers?

Bilbao is an incredibly safe destination for travelers. Apart from pick pocketing, which can happen in many tourist destinations, the crime rate in Bilbao is very low.

Of course, it is best to practice personal safety and be aware of one’s surroundings.

For anyone wanting additional protection while traveling, She’s Birdie offers personal safety alarms that emit a sound over 100dB and a flashing light as well as the capability to share a location.

Is Bilbao a Walkable City?

It is quite easy to walk around Bilbao. Many of the intersections have signage to help guide travelers. Plus with the metro and tram, travelers will experience minimal difficulty navigating Bilbao and her attractions.

Conclusion: Is Bilbao Worth Visiting

Bilbao belongs on any itinerary exploring the food, architecture, culture, and history of Spain.
The Basque Country is an incredibly unique place and one that should not be missed!