Bilbao Travel Guides
Browse and explore the best travel guides in Bilbao.
Bilbao Travel Facts
Bilbao is the capital of the Basque Country's industrial heartland and the textbook example of a city rebuilt around culture. The titanium curves of Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum, opened in 1997, turned a declining steel port into one of northern Spain's most visited destinations.
Beyond the museum, the Casco Viejo holds seven medieval streets of pintxo bars, the Mercado de la Ribera and the Santiago Cathedral, while the riverfront Abandoibarra district is all footbridges and contemporary architecture. Food is central to any visit: pintxos are ordered standing at the bar, and the surrounding province holds a remarkable concentration of Michelin stars.
Bilbao works well as a base for the Basque coast. San Sebastián is an hour away by bus, the surf beaches of Mundaka and Bakio sit within 40 minutes, and the dramatic island hermitage of Gaztelugatxe is a short drive along the shore.
Country
Spain
Region
Basque Country (Biscay province)
Population
~345,000 (city), ~1 million metro
Elevation
19 m above sea level
Time Zone
CET (UTC+1), CEST in summer
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Spanish and Basque (Euskara)
Nearest Airport
BIO (Bilbao), 12 km
Airport to City Centre
~25 min on the Bizkaibus A3247
Typical Cost Level
Mid-range
Transport Pass
Barik card for metro, tram and bus
Spring (Mar-May)
13-18°C
Summer (Jun-Aug)
20-26°C
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
14-22°C
Winter (Dec-Feb)
8-13°C
Bilbao Travel Guides
Latest Travel Guides
Stay in the loop
Get the latest deals, new destinations, and travel tips delivered straight to your inbox.
No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Bilbao Destination FAQ
June and September are the best months to visit Bilbao. The Basque Country has an Atlantic climate, so rain is possible in any season, but these months combine mild temperatures with the fewest wet days. August brings the Aste Nagusia festival and the busiest week of the year.
Take the Bizkaibus A3247, which runs every 20 minutes and reaches the centre in about 25 minutes. The airport is only 12 km from the city. Taxis take around 15 minutes.
Walking covers most of Bilbao, with the Guggenheim, Casco Viejo and the riverside all within about 30 minutes of each other. For longer hops, buy a Barik card that works on the metro, tram and buses. There is no need for a car in the city.
Two days is enough for Bilbao itself — one for the Guggenheim and the riverfront, one for the Casco Viejo and the Fine Arts Museum. Add two more if you want to use it as a base for San Sebastián, Gaztelugatxe and the coast.
Bilbao is one of the safest cities in Spain and crime against visitors is rare. Ordinary pickpocket precautions in the Casco Viejo on busy nights are all that is needed. Walking back to a hotel late is not a concern in the central districts.
Order one or two pintxos and a small drink at each bar, then move on to the next one. Some are laid out on the counter for you to take; others are cooked to order from a board. The Casco Viejo and Ledesma street have the highest concentration, and the standard evening runs from about 8pm.
On trip1, you can book hotels across Bilbao and pay with over 50 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC. trip1 covers 3 million+ hotels in 190+ countries, making it easy to find and book accommodation with crypto.