Top Things To Do In Bilbao, Spain

April 20, 2018 Bilbao, Biscay, Spain

Top Things To Do In Bilbao Spain

Next stop on my Spain itinerary is the city of Bilbao. If you want to know more about this city and why you should visit, keep reading!

Bilbao, España.
Welcome to the Basque Country, this region located in northern Spain and southern France which spans from the Bay of Biscay to the Pyrenees Mountains. While there is a couple of cities that make up the basque country, in this post we will be focusing on the city of Bilbao. Once you reach this region you may notice a few changes from the popular cities you probably just came from such as Madrid or Barcelona. For starters, the language spoken is different it's not spanish but the basque dialect called euskera. Although Bilbao is one of the biggest cities within the basque country, there's more of a relaxed vibe here and not as hectic as other touristy cities. Bilbao use to be an industrial port city that was not a place where people wanted to visit. That all changed thanks to the world famous Guggenheim Museum which transformed the city. With implementing a redesign of the city within the past couple of years, Bilbao has changed for the better and pushed tourism forward with these new adjustments.

After leaving Segovia (click here) to read more, we arrived to Bilbao in the afternoon. The weather was a bit gloomy and a tad colder than the other cities we were in previously. This is one of the cities on this tour that I wish I had more time in. This city has so much to offer and found the modern mixed with the old architecture to be so beautiful. After checking in our hotel, we went back on the bus to head to the city and explore. We had some free time to do whatever we pleased and here are a few recommendations on what to do while you're in Bilbao!

Visit the Guggenheim Museum.
Guggenheim Museo Bilbao is what changed this city into what it is today. With it's modern architecture and contemporary art, this museum has become the symbol of this city which attracts tourists from all over to visit. Make sure you don’t only check out the different exhibitions, but also take the time to take a walk around the building and study it from different angles it's honestly so impressive.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Spain

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Spain

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Spain

Bilbao Spain

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Spain

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Spain

Ride the Funicular de Artxanda.
For the best views of Bilbao take the Artxanda Funicular up to the viewpoint on Mount Artxanda. You get an amazing panorama views and a great place for photo opportunities. It costs less than euro for a ticket and you'll also find cafes at the top.

Funicular de Artxanda Bilbao Spain

Funicular de Artxanda Bilbao Spain

Funicular de Artxanda Bilbao Spain

Contiki Spanish Spree

Bilbao Spain

Bilbao Spain

Walk Around The Waterfront.
Walk along the Nervión River and take in the beauty of the city. You'll find many people either walking, running, or sitting on benches along the waterfront. It's such a relaxing area but also lively with street performers, live music, and food stands that are scattered around this area.

Nervión River Bilbao Spain

Nervión River Bilbao Spain

Nervión River Bilbao Spain

Nervión River Bilbao Spain

Visit the Old Town.
Bilbao's old town also known as Casco Viejo, is the historic center that you should visit when you're visiting. With shops, cafés, restaurants and more, this area is great to get lost and walk around. If you want a local experience I would definitely look for accommodation in this area because you'll be in the the mist of city action!

Casco Viejo Bilbao Spain

Casco Viejo Bilbao Spain

Casco Viejo Bilbao Spain

Explore the Town at Night.
Bilbao comes alive at night so definitely check it out when the sun goes down. Head in to town and have an amazing dinner experience. The food in the basque country is so delicious, it won't disappoint! During our stay, there was an actual festival going on which had the Bilbao streets filled with people, live music, and dancing until the early morning hours.

Bilbao Spain Nightlife

Bilbao Spain Food

Bilbao Spain Nightlife


Comment below,
Have you ever visited Bilbao before?

58 comments

  1. Bilbao seems to be a paradise for architecture lovers like me. Both the modern and old buildings are quite spectacular and unique. It would be a wonderful stop to make on a trip of Spain.

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  2. Hey Stephanie, I haven't visited Bilbao before. But I so want to take a roadtrip through Spain. The artworks in the Guggenheim museum are amazing. Very cool. I am quite thrilled after reading about Artxanda Funicular. It will be definitely on my list if I ever make it to Bilbao.

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    1. Thanks Anwesha. I think a roadtrip around Spain is the best way to go!

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  3. Bilbao looks stunning. The snaps tell the whole story. Thanks a lot for sharing such a wonderful post.

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    1. Thanks, hope you get it to experience it yourself someday!

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  4. The architecture is simply stunning, especially the Guggenheim Museum building. Never seen a building like that before and I love visiting places with architecture like this.

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  5. Your photos are amazing! I love how you speak of Bilbao. I have been to Spain before but not to Bilbao. I really want to go now!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad I was able to tell you about a new city that you haven't been before and now want to go visit :)

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  6. Such an beautiful city. The architecture looks very interesting. I was thinking to visit Galicia at some point and Bilbao would be a great middle stop.

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    1. I didn't get to visit Galicia during this trip but heard it's beautiful as well!

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  7. Oh, I have never heard about Bilbao, it looks Spain has an endless amount of things to see. I visited many cities there, but Bilbao brings a new, fresh view.

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  8. This is truly a beautiful city. When i got a chance to visit Spain definitely i will include Bilbao to my itinerary.

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  9. I have always wanted to visit Spain. It looks like such a beautiful place!

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  10. terrific post. apparently we have a cable car similar to the Funicular here in LA but I haven't ever seen it. It was featured in Bosch the tv show so i know it exists lol.

    Joy at The Joyous Living

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  11. This is such a beautiful city with so much architecture and history! The food, people and historic sites are all so breathtaking! I love the pictures you shared! What an amazing experience!

    Kileen
    cute & little

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  12. I haven’t heard of Bilbao before but it looks beautiful. So pretty at night time.

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  13. Nnniiiccceeeee....I'd totally love to be in the Funicular de Artxanda! Looks very interesting.

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  14. What a great travel guide! Spain is on my bucket list!

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  15. I always heard about the beauty of Spain.In here i saw the reality!Really in Spain everything is eye-catching and flawless.I love the old city because i think An old city is the root of a new city where the seed sows for the new one!

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  16. I've been to Spain once and LOVED it! I've never been to Bilbao before. It looks really great though!

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  17. Holy cow that museum is gorgeous! I love all of the sculptural art. I'm living vicariously through your travel photos.

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  18. I loved Bilbao, Spain and the best thing to do was Guggenheim Museum. Hands down the art was spectacular! So many exhibitions of contemporary art.

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  19. Bilbao is gorgeous! I have been there 3 times so far already and would go back in a heartbeat.

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  20. Never been to Bilbao Spain before but that sounds like a great place to visit with plenty of exciting areas to explore too. I'm sure I'd visit the Guggenheim Museum first since museum are usually what I go to whenever I travel to a new place.

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  21. The art aspect alone makes me want to visit Bilbao. I didn't know that was the exact location of the Guggenheim, and now I want to go even more. It's so fascinating to see all the different parts of this beautiful city through your eyes!

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    1. It was such a fun place to see and thank you so much for your kind words!

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  22. Thanks for the recommendations! I've been to spain but never Bilbao!

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  23. Wow, the pictures you got were so gorgeous! I am going to keep this in mind when I go to Spain!

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  24. Bilbao has been my list to visit for a LONG time, my husband is a photographer and is dying to capture the architecture. We hope to visit in 2020!

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  25. Spain is definitely on my list of places to travel!

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  26. we have yet to go to Spain and this gives me so much wanderlust!!

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  27. I hadn't really heard much about Bilbao before your post. We went to Barcelona last fall, and I'd love to go back and explore more of Spain. Bilbao is now on the list!

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  28. greaat photos. spain is my dream destination. :) will surely save this post for future reference.

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  29. What an absolutely incredible opportunity! I would love to visit the Guggenheim someday!

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