About Bilbao:
Bilbao is a lively port city in the Basque Country of Northern Spain, famous for its culinary scene and fantastic museums. It has a great mix of old and new architecture, a beautiful old town and iconic modern landmarks. Not far from the town of San Sebastian and other beach towns, there are lots of things to do in Bilbao and the wider region. It is an affordable destination compared with most major Spanish cities and it is definitely worth a visit.
Weather in Bilbao:
Bilbao is in Northern Spain close to the Bay of Biscay, so the climate is very different from southern parts of Spain. The temperature ranges from 10 *C in the winter months and climbs to 21*C in August. There are plenty of rainy days with the highest rainfall in April. This rainfall contributes to Bilbao being one of the greener cities in Spain.
On saying all this, when we visited in the month of June, it was consistently 35*C and sunny and we were melting!
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How to get to Bilbao:
Flights from the UK take around 1hr 50 mins and are generally very reasonably priced. Compare prices from your nearest airport on Skyscanner:
Where to stay in Bilbao:
Bilbao has a great selection of hotels ranging from around £70 per night for a pension room to £300 for a 5* hotel. We stayed in a hotel close to the main historic square called Pension Lo Bilbao.
Pension Lo Bilbao offered comfortable modern rooms perfectly complimenting old features such as wooden beams and original brick work. It is in a fantastic location next to Plaza Nueva. Room range from £69 – £153 per night.
Top things to do in Bilbao:
There are many things to do in Bilbao – stroll around the old town, see the English style houses on Zuberoa Street, visit the 11 museums, the Arriaga Theatre and enjoy the many shops and restaurants. The following suggestions are our top things to do if you only have a day or two.
1 Guggenheim Museum
This amazing museum was our favourite attraction in Bilbao. Previously, we visited the Guggenheim museum in New York and were really surprised to find out that there is a Guggenheim in Bilbao too.
The Guggenheim in Bilbao is fantastic. The architecture of the building is enough reason to visit – it is a modern marvel! Inside you will find interactive exhibits and modern and contemporary art. Step into the neon light curtain and walk around huge steel spiral sculptures.
Opening times, Admission prices and Tickets
2. Admire the Puppy
After you visit the Guggenheim and perhaps enjoy a bite to eat or drink in the café, step outside. Just next to the Guggenheim you will find the Puppy. The puppy is a giant statue, entirely made up of plants and flowers and makes a lovely photo.
3. Eat pinxtos at the Plaza Nueva
To be honest this is what we spent most of our time doing in Bilbao. Pinxtos is what the Basque country cuisine is famous for. These tiny snacks are the equivalent of tapas but served on bread. There are lots of varieties and at affordable prices.
The Plaza Nueva is an historic square that hosts many restaurants and bars with tables and chairs outside the eateries. It is extremely popular with locals and tourists alike and has a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.
4. Ride the Artxanda Funicular
You can take the funicular to the top of Bilbao and admire the views across the city and surrounding countryside.
The gardens at the top are beautiful and are a pleasant place to take a picnic and relax. Or visit one of the nearby restaurants.
Opening times, Prices and Tickets
5. Walk along the riverside and check out the bridges
The Nirvion estuary runs through the centre of Bilbao and the banks are connected by spectacular bridges. The bridges range from the oldest San Anton bridge, built in the 13th century, to the modern masterpiece Zubizuri Bridge designed by a famous Spanish architect – Santiago Calatrava.
6. Visit the covered market Mercado de la Ribera
This is an historic market place, with stalls selling mainly fresh food produce.
7. Watch a music show at Quisco de El Arenal
This is a circular kiosk dedicated to live music. While we were there, the Pride festival was on and the place was packed with revellers.
8. Take the train to the beach
Playa de Plentzia is a popular beach, only a short 30 minute journey from Bilbao on the train (the last stop). There is a cute little town there where you can enjoy a meal in one of the many cafes and restaurants. The beach isn’t the most beautiful but is a nice place to visit on a sunny day and has wonderful sunset views.
Is Bilbao worth visiting?
For a weekend getaway that won’t break the bank, Bilbao is ideal. I would suggest two days is enough to see the main sights and enjoy some pintxos and drinks – perfect for a short break.
There are great rail links and it is very close to San Sebastian, which is a coastal town on the Bay of Biscay famous for its world renowned restaurants. We didn’t have time to visit here so it’s a good reason for us to come back and explore more of Northern Spain.
The main tourist season is in July and August so if you like places a little quieter, May, June and September are perfect for warmer temperatures and lower prices.
✨ This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Bilbao.
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