The Guggenheim Museum, the old town, the Ribera Market, strolling along the river to the Euskalduna Palace, and riding the Artxanda Funicular to enjoy the best views of the city.
Bilbao is known worldwide for the Guggenheim Museum, whose construction changed the face of the city. It's also famous for its avant-garde architecture, its steel-making past, and, of course, for having one of the world's best cuisines based on pintxos.
Two days are enough to see the essentials of the city. However, we recommend staying for three or four days if you want to take a day trip to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe or the coastal villages of Vizcaya.
On your first day, visit the Guggenheim Museum and stroll along the estuary to the Artxanda Funicular. In the afternoon, enjoy some tapas on Calle Ledesma. On the second day, lose yourself in the seven streets of the old town, visit the Cathedral, and the Ribera Market. End the day with a pintxo crawl in Plaza Nueva. If you have time, take the metro to Portugalete to see the Suspension Bridge, a World Heritage Site.
May, June, and September are ideal, with pleasant temperatures. If you want to experience the big festival, don't miss Aste Nagusia in August, but remember to book your hotel well in advance.
Although there are several excellent areas to eat in Bilbao, the most famous is Calle Ledesma in the center and, of course, the seven streets of the old town, where Plaza Nueva stands out.
The airport (known as “La Paloma”) is very close by. You can take the Bizkaibus bus (line A3247), which runs every 15-20 minutes, or book a private transfer with Civitatis to take you directly to your accommodation.
There is the famous “sirimiri” (a very fine but persistent rain). It doesn't usually prevent sightseeing, but we recommend that you always carry a raincoat or umbrella in your backpack, even if you see clear skies in the morning.
Not at all. Bilbao is a very easy city to get around on foot, and its public transport system is excellent. You'll only need a car if you want to explore very remote areas in the interior of the Basque Country.
Latest reviews