Last Updated on September 22, 2026 by George Pavlopoulos
Whether you’re visiting the Basque Country on a road trip or you’re simply on a long weekend in Bilbao, this travel guide has you covered. I spent a week discovering Spain’s stunning region, hopping from town to town and immersing myself in the relaxing rhythms of the Basques. Writing about the best things to do in Bilbao is challenging because of the variety of sightseeing you can enjoy on this side of Spain.
However, after thoroughly exploring the city, I compiled this long Bilbao travel guide. From an architectural perspective, the city feels like a case study in blending contemporary elements with tradition. On the other hand, the laid-back atmosphere of Bilbao, paired with some magnificent locations in close proximity, will provide every traveler with plenty of things to enjoy.
Apparently, there are numerous things to do in Bilbao and its surrounding area. However, in this article, I decided to cover what I truly believe is unmissable in the Basque Country’s capital. This selection will give you enough ideas to keep you occupied for several days in Bilbao, while leaving you breathing room to enjoy the moments.
So, let’s begin with this travel guide to Bilbao and what you should see and do in town.
The best things to do in Bilbao
Located in northern Spain and close to the Atlantic Ocean, Bilbao has attracted growing interest from international travelers. A combination of world-class museums, an easy-going atmosphere, and delicious food has created a well-deserved myth about Bilbao. Throughout my stay, the city often left me in awe, and I promised myself and the guys I met in town that I would return soon.
So, let’s look at the must-do things in Bilbao and what to expect.
Visit the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum
I had the luck to stay close to the Guggenheim Museum, but this is not why I added it to the list’s top. Already from the day of its inauguration on October 18, 1997, the Guggenheim Museum became an institution and a city landmark. Besides being an architectural marvel, the Bilbao Guggenheim expanded the city’s cultural horizons, making it a must-visit destination for art lovers.
I wrote about the Venice Guggenheim and how it impressed me, but Bilbao’s version adds even more significance. Outdoor installations like Louise Bourgeois’ spider (called “Maman”) and the Puppy are among the most photographed spots in the city. Featuring permanent and special exhibitions, the Bilbao Guggenheim is a must-visit location during your stay in the Basque Country.
You can book a Guggenheim tour here. Book a ticket in advance; otherwise, you may have to queue endlessly or miss your visit if tickets are sold out.
Explore the Old Town without a map
The Old Town of Bilbao, known as Casco Viejo, is the city’s most picturesque location. Narrow streets and garlands of local shops, cafes, and bars await you on this side of Bilbao. Sooner or later, you will also come across the so-called Seven Streets (Siete Calles), dating back to the 15th century.
That’s also where the iconic Plaza Nueva is located, with marvelous buildings and enough open space to unwind, have a drink, or grab something to chew on. Lastly, on the edge of the Old Town, you can also visit the Erriberako Merkatua, the city’s most famous covered market, and the nearby church dedicated to San Anton.
The Food Market is an excellent option for lunch or a quick bite during winter or rainy days. However, if the weather is pleasant, I suggest just a stroll inside and looking for an outdoor spot to enjoy.
Visit San Mamés Stadium (and watch a match if possible)
Even if you are not a football fan, I highly recommend visiting the iconic San Mamés Stadium. Athletic Bilbao’s home ground is more than a football stadium. Along with the football team, it serves as a vehicle for Basque tradition and local values, and watching a game is a memorable experience. Luckily, I caught a game when I visited Bilbao, and I wrote about my VIP experience at San Mamés here.
The stadium itself is an architectural landmark, and it will definitely fascinate you. Located in a residential neighborhood, the stadium appears behind clusters of houses and enjoys a riverside location. If there’s no game during your stay, you have a great option to explore it: guided tours take place daily, and you can visit the interior, the dressing rooms, and buy memorabilia. They make great gifts for football fans back home!
You can book a San Mamés guided tour here.
Go on a river tour
I believe that boat tours are always enjoyable. Yes, they are highly touristic activities; however, here’s the thing: a boat tour offers a unique perspective on the city from a water-level angle. Moreover, as travel fatigue sets in, it’s always a plus to do some (let’s call it) passive sightseeing: sitting on a boat and watching the city unfold is often an underestimated activity.
Now, let’s face it: Bilbao’s river, the Nervion, is probably not the most lovely river you’ve ever seen. On a sunny day, the water looks rather brown. Still, it’s omnipresent in the city’s layout, and a boat tour is pleasant. Most Bilbao river tours take you past the town’s landmarks, and you will sail by Bilbao’s bridges and the Guggenheim Museum.
I really enjoyed the river tour I took and wrote an article about my experience. You can choose from several boat tours, but I recommend the shortest one, which lasts one hour and takes you to the suburbs.
You can book a river tour here.
Discover the majestic Getxo
Getxo is technically a location outside the city center, but practically a suburb. And it’s one of the most beautiful areas in the entire Basque Country.
Getxo is situated on the Atlantic Ocean and is renowned for its impressive mansions. But besides that, it offers a great opportunity to walk on its long sandy beach and swim in the Atlantic if you are courageous enough. Getxo impressed me, which is why I visited twice. On its right edge, you can see the picturesque Puerto Viejo, the small town’s old port. Whitewashed houses, narrow alleys, and tremendous open sea views await you in this tiny pearl.
It’s pretty easy to reach Getxo from downtown Bilbao. The first time I went there, I rented a bike, and it took me less than an hour to get there. However, you can also take public transport: Neguri metro station is just a few hundred meters from the beautiful Ereaga Beach, and you won’t need more than fifteen minutes to find yourself surrounded by ocean views.
I think Getxo is one of the unmissable things to do in Bilbao. If this triggers you, I wrote a comprehensive Getxo guide here.
Admire the Vizcaya Bridge
The Vizcaya Bridge is one of the region’s most famous landmarks. What makes the bridge even more fascinating is that it’s not a contemporary architectural achievement. Dating back to 1893, the Vizcaya is a suspension bridge that served a noble purpose: connecting the two banks of the Nervion River. The hanging gondola moves side to side several times per hour and can carry up to six cars and many passengers.
Although it’s invisible from Getxo’s beach, it’s actually very close. You can combine a visit to Getxo with a visit to the bridge. If you do, take a short gondola ride to the other side of the river. A return journey costs more than a euro but is an experience by itself. The Vizcaya Bridge is an excellent example of functionality and beauty from the past, which is probably why it’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Long story short, don’t miss the Vizcaya: it’s hands down one of the top things to see in Bilbao.
Eat as many pintxos as possible
Soon after landing in Bilbao, you will have your first pintxos experience. You can describe pintxos as the Basque version of tapas, but honestly, I found them richer and tastier. Pintxos are larger and far more creative with their ingredients. Two or three can easily serve as lunch, and you can find delicious pintxos all over the city.
Some of them come with fish on top, and I must admit that these were my favorite ones. However, the selection is endless, and you will find a cafe or bar serving them on almost every corner. Their prices are reasonable, and paired with a glass of Rioja, they became my favorite lunch break.
After finishing with the things to do in Bilbao, I will write down some addresses where I enjoyed pintxos. Right now, though, what you need to know is that pintxos are interconnected with the laid-back city atmosphere.
So if feeling a bit like a local is a must-do on your trip, make sure to stop multiple times for a pintxos break.
Don’t miss the Fine Arts Museum of Bilbao
Bilbao has plenty of museums. Although the Guggenheim seems to overshadow every other museum, equally important and innovative museums are also worth visiting. After all, variety is interconnected with the city’s style. One such example is the Fine Arts Museum of Bilbao.
The museum is centrally located and offers a range of exhibits, from Romanesque art to avant-garde movements. I don’t want to make the list of artists exhaustive, but the Fine Arts Museum of Bilbao features masters like Lucas Cranach and El Greco, along with Sorolla, Gauguin, Tapies, Chillida, and many others. Despite the building’s rather austere lines, strolling through its rooms feels like a great art lesson, and it’s definitely one of the must-see art locations in town.
Moreover, visiting the museum is free of charge. So, I think a visit to the Fine Arts Museum of Bilbao should rank among the top free things to do in Bilbao.
Enjoy Bilbao’s open spaces
Not everything should be about sightseeing. A visit to foreign places should always bring carefree, relaxing moments. Despite its dense residential style, Bilbao has many parks and open squares to enjoy and relax.
While walking around Bilbao, I spotted several parks where people enjoyed the moment. Unlike other cities, Bilbao pays attention to its residents’ free time. I personally appreciate this and always notice it. Even in the city’s heart, there’s always a spot with an endless view to rest your eyes and catch your breath.
Since I’m always interested in seeing as much as possible, but also in enjoying moments as the locals do, I highly recommend taking time to enjoy a break at one of the city’s parks or its marvelous squares. Seeing how life unfolds in a foreign place is a must, and you’ll have several opportunities to do so in Bilbao.
Make sure to leave fomo behind and enjoy some precious moments.
Take a day off and explore the Basque Country
While Bilbao will be your base, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get out of town. Even if this is your first time in the region, it is worth considering leaving the charming town behind and exploring the surrounding area. The Basque Country’s compact size means you can see plenty of places even if you’re only there for four or five days.
Visiting each famous location nearby might be easier if you rent a car and take a short trip. However, on my journey to Bilbao, I didn’t rent a car, and I still saw as much as possible. A combination of public transportation and organized tours can make it easy.
Apart from Getxo, which is still part of the metropolitan Bilbao area, I visited several other cities. I have written dedicated guides for each of the places you will see below, so make sure to check them out if you decide to visit them.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. This is probably the region’s gem, and Game of Thrones fans will definitely recognize it. The chapel on the rock’s top offers dramatic views all along the coastline. You can easily access it by car, as it’s just an hour away. Public transport isn’t convenient, though, so your best option is to book an organized tour here.
Mundaka. This small coastal town is famous for its left wave. Surfers from all over the world visit Mundaka just to ride that spectacular wave, but the town is also pretty and deserves a stop.
Gernika or Guernica. You probably know the iconic Pablo Picasso painting that immortalized it in the collective subconscious. Here, you have the chance to see up close the city that inspired Picasso due to the tragic event that took place.
San Sebastian. In my opinion, this is probably the most beautiful coastal city in Europe. I was fascinated by San Sebastian and its beauty, and I would really love to return there soon. It was impossible to write a travel guide that encompasses its beauty, but I wrote an extensive travelogue with everything I experienced there.
Where to stay in Bilbao
Bilbao is a pretty compact city, and choosing accommodation based on your budget shouldn’t be hard. Prices in Bilbao are similar to those in most European cities. That said, nowadays everything might feel pricier than it should. However, good opportunities still exist, and if you avoid visiting during high season, you’ll have better chances of finding reasonably priced accommodations.
If that’s your first time in Bilbao, I strongly recommend staying as close to the city center as possible. Everything in the city is within walking distance, and you can save on public transport costs. In general, I believe that the best areas to stay in Bilbao are the following:
The area around the Guggenheim Museum. It’s conveniently located next to the must-see museum and close to everything else. Plus, if you are lucky, you can visit the museum spontaneously. It also offers the easiest, fastest bus access to the airport.
Abando. The area south of the Guggenheim is probably the one that most people will choose. A very central location, close to the bars and restaurants. It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas in town.
The Old Town. That’s the most picturesque spot and another great option for your stay. Local flair is still present, even though it can feel a bit more touristy at times.
Please use the interactive map below to discover the best accommodations in Bilbao and beyond.
Where I stayed in Bilbao
I chose to stay close to the Guggenheim Museum, at the wonderful Museo Arte by Next Stop. I’m glad I found this nice accommodation via Booking, which ticked all my boxes. Among them was an early check-in due to my flight. Moreover, the proximity to the airport translated to less travel time to and from the airport. Also, since I didn’t have a concrete plan, I wanted to be flexible about visiting the Guggenheim. Some rainy days were expected, but luckily the weather didn’t match the forecast. I had sunny days in Bilbao.
Then it was the size of the accommodation. For the same price, most hotels would have given me just a room. The apartment I rented also had a living room and a kitchen. Since I also had to work during my stay, it helped me to have a cozy work environment. Overall, I was very satisfied with my stay at Museo Arte by Next Stop.
You can check prices and availability for the Museo Arte by Next Stop here.
Where to eat in Bilbao
Before finishing this long travel guide about the best things to do in Bilbao, I want to write a few lines about the places I enjoyed eating the most in town. As you will see in the following lines, I enjoyed pintxos so much that I even had them for dinner. However, since I always prefer dining close to my accommodation after a long day out and about, I’ll share my favorite eatery close to the Guggenheim Museum.
Restaurant Sua San. That’s where I dined almost every evening in Bilbao. They served delicious dishes with local ingredients in a cozy atmosphere and with very polite service. I loved their pasta and their salads. If you stay close to the Guggenheim, give it a try; it won’t let you down. Plus, the prices are reasonable. You can see Sua San on the map here.
And now it’s pintxos time! The places I enjoyed pintxos the most are the following (the links will take you to Google Maps, so feel free to save them for your journey).
At Plaza Nueva, I had delicious pintxos at Jatera Berria, Sorginzulo, and also at Gure Toki.
I also enjoyed the pintxos at Cafe Iruna.
Lastly, for a more local touch but equally tasty, at Menphis.
In general, you can’t go wrong with pintxos in Bilbao and the Basque Country. If you discover more great eateries in town, feel free to leave a comment.
The best things to do in Bilbao: Final Thoughts
Bilbao was a multilayered experience for me. Over the years, I kept hearing positive things about the city, and when I finally visited, I found every comment justified. Bilbao’s architectural beauty is unparalleled, offering a unique blend of contemporary and traditional architecture. Moreover, the vibrant art scene made me feel at home, because it’s something I appreciate in every journey -and you probably know from the art section of my blog.
Watching a game at the San Mamés also showed me how passionate the Basques are, and if you add to that the delicious food, it feels like Bilbao ticked all the boxes. In addition, the fact that a stunning place like Getxo is nearby, paired with locations like San Sebastian or San Juan, means that a visit to the Basque Country will always be a memorable experience. Last but not least, sipping Rioja wine was integral to this journey.
Therefore, the 10 unmissable things to do in Bilbao I shared in this article will definitely offer you moments to remember. But, most importantly, they will also give you enough free time to enjoy Bilbao while exploring this side of Spain.
More about Bilbao: My Basque Country Polaroids
Pin it for later
Sharing is caring. Share this Bilbao travel guide with your friends.