Bilbao

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Top attractions in Bilbao

See all tours & things to do in Bilbao

Top 7 things to do in Bilbao

Bilbao has all the best parts of urban culture and nightlife, while maintaining a small mountain town feel. What to do in Bilbao isn’t the question—what can’t you do here?

  • Guggenheim Bilbao

    1. Guggenheim Bilbao

    Modern and contemporary art lovers will be thrilled with all the specialized works inside this architectural wonder along the Nervion River.

  • Bilbao Fine Arts Museum

    2. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum

    The Fine Arts Museum has stood since 1908. Its gigantic collection of more than 6,000 objects from the 12th century to the present day should not be overshadowed by the Guggenheim.

  • Plaza Nueva

    3. Plaza Nueva

    This giant Neoclassical square is surrounded by gift shops, restaurants, Sunday flea markets and folk festivals—the perfect place to take in the local culture.

  • Zubizuri

    4. Zubizuri

    Walking across this curved steel suspension bridge is a must during your visit. Zubizuri means “white bridge” in Basque, the indigenous language to the region.

  • The Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall

    5. The Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall

    Check the schedule of this monumental expo center—there’s an auditorium for opera, a theater, four conference rooms, eight meeting rooms, a press room, a gallery, and a restaurant.

  • Doña Casilda Iturrizar park

    6. Doña Casilda Iturrizar park

    This century-old park is the green lung of Bilbao. Pack a lunch or a book and relax by the duck pond in this picturesque English-style park.

  • Teatro Arriaga

    7. Teatro Arriaga

    This stunning neo-Baroque opera house shows modern and classical works. Seeing a performance in the golden dome of Arriaga’s hall is an absolute treat.

Planning Your Visit

  • Bilbao Climate: Pack for Rain

    Northern coastal Spain can get pretty rainy. Bring an umbrella and some waterproof shoes.

  • Pintxos Are Not Tapas

    The regional pub snack, the pintxo, is called such for its ‘spike’ or toothpick through them, and they’re a staple of Basque culture. Unlike tapas, they’re typically served earlier in the evening, so don’t be surprised when Bilbao restaurants stop serving around 9:00PM or 10:00PM.

  • Take Advantage of the Bilbao Metro

    For a city of its size, Bilbao, Spain, is amazingly well connected. Public transportation is clean, safe and can take you just about anywhere in the city and surrounding countryside—even the beach.

Good to know

  • Language
    Spanish
  • Currency
    Euro (€)
  • Time Zone
    UTC (+01:00)
  • Country Code
    +34
  • Best time to visit
    Late spring or early fall are the best times to go, when the temperatures are still warm but the crowds are dying down.

Top Attractions in Bilbao

Things to Do in Bilbao

Cities in Spain

Other Sightseeing Options in Bilbao

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What people are saying about Bilbao

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 1,058 reviews

Stephan was an absolutely fantastic guide - very nice man, very funny and very knowledgeable about history and the Basque culture. This was one of the best trips of stay in the Basque country and we have learnt so much from him. We are also thankful to Stephan for his recommendations for places to eat for the best Pintxo's and the fantastic Txakoli wine! You were right! Eskerrik asko Stephan - you're the best! From Stephanie and the Egyptian Maori

From Bilbao: Gaztelugatxe and Gernika Tour Reviewed by STEPHANIE, 2/1/2020

Benat was a great guide and ambassador for his city. We so enjoyed our tour around downtown and beyond - we saw so much! We really appreciated his enthusiasm and his love of Bilbao. We learned a ton of history and were delighted with the perspective he brought to our tour. We asked a ton of questions and he was so happy to answer all of them - he was very patient.

Bilbao: 3-Hour Guided Bike Tour Reviewed by Gwynn, 10/19/2019

This is great way to get to know the area you are visiting before setting out on your own. We had the two hour tour on our first morning. Our guide was Inigo and he was wonderful. He showed us many places of interest and he gave us lots of information. He did this in a sensitive and intelligent way. We highly recommend this tour.

Bilbao Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour Reviewed by Elliott, 10/23/2019

Trip was great. Loved it. Was exactly what we were looking for. Great for GOT fans. Get your guide has the wrong pickup location. They also have a large markup on the tour. I should have done some more research to book direct but that’s not always easy. All in all, I’d still book with these guides.

From Bilbao: Half or Full-Day Game of Thrones Guided Tour Reviewed by Kenneth, 1/5/2020

Javier explained the architectural history of the building and provided insights about all of the permanent exhibitions. The tour was both inside and outdoors. We learned so much about the Guggenheim. I highly recommend this tour.

Magic at the Guggenheim Museum Reviewed by Michelle, 3/7/2020

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