The 8 Best Things to do in Bilbao, Spain

Bilbao is a beautiful city in the north of Spain, that we spent 3 nights in while we travelled Spain in November.

Although it is a nice city and there is good attractions to go see, I felt that it maybe lacked the natural beauty that some of the other Spanish cities had. Having said this, I still did enjoy Bilbao and if you are heading here on a holiday you will have a great time.

When it comes to things to do in Bilbao, I felt a little lost in trying to find guides or recommendations online of what to do. So, in this blog I will be covering 8 really cool things you should do on your trip to Bilbao.

Guggenheim Museum

This is definitely the most obvious thing to do whilst in Bilbao, but heading to this museum will 100% be worth the money. The building itself is breathtaking, as the museum is housed in metal ship-like building. It is known as one of the most iconic buildings in the Basque country.

The Guggenheim houses some of the best modern art collections in Europe, and even if you are not interested in art, you will find this museum spectacular. Even from outside the museum you can see some beautiful works like ‘The Matter of Time’ by Richard Serra, ‘Maman’ by Louise Bourgeois, and ‘Tulips’ by Jeff Koons.

Tickets to the museum, if purchased online, are €13 but if you opt to buy them at the admissions desk in the museum it will cost you €15. Students will get tickets for half price by make sure to bring your student card.

The museum is opened Tuesday-Sunday from 10am to 7pm. You can buy your tickets here: Hours and admission | Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (guggenheim-bilbao.eus)

Casco Viejo

This is the Old Town of Bilbao and it is absolutely beautiful. It is quaint and shows you a slice of old Bilbao, so you can experience the historic Basque Buildings.

Strolling around these streets is an attraction in itself. You can pop in and out of the little shops located on the streets. The Old Town also has some of the best bars and restaurants in Bilbao, so definitely have a look into this while you are over this direction of the city.

I would definitely recommend heading into El Tilo for a coffee and a cake if you want a break while exploring Casco Viejo. This is such a beautiful cafe, with some of the nicest homemade cakes and desserts.

The Market La Ribera

Bilbao’s fresh food market has been established since the 14th century and is located in the southern end of Old Town.

This city is known for its pintxo’s, which I can only describe as tapas-like food. This market is the perfect place to go to try some of Bilbao’s local pintxos with many stalls sell the local delicacy.

The market is open from 8am-5pm on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday through to Saturday it opens 8am-12am, and on Sundays it is open 11am-12am.

Puente de Vizcaya

If you’re afraid of heights, then this activity might not be for you. This bridge shows some of the best views of Bilbao.

Also known as the Hanging Bridge, this is a great way to get from one side of the city to the next. It was constructed in the late 1800’s and is still going strong.

You can access the upper platform of the bridge, which is 45 meters in height and shows the best views of the Guggenhiem Museum.

Tickets to get into the upper section of Puente de Vizcaya cost €9.50, and you can buy tickets here: Fees and Opening – Puente Colgante – Puente Bizkaia (puente-colgante.com)

Small Group Bike Tour

I am not a huge fan of tours while in a city but this tour is such an amazing way to see all of Bilbao. It takes you around the city and all the way down to Bilbao’s stunning seaside.

Along the way you will pass some of Bilbao’s most beautiful landmarks, such as the Cathedral, Euskalduna Palace and the Arriaga Theater.

Mount Artxanda

A trip up to the top of Mount Artxanda simply cannot be missed. A funicular runs up and down the mountain everyday, which offers the most spectacular views of the city.

This is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the centre without actually leaving the city. You can explore the gardens at the top of Mount Artxanda, as well as grab some lunch at one of the restaurants.

If you go here in the evening time you could catch an amazing sun set over the city.

This attraction is open Monday-Saturday from 7.15am-10pm, and on Sundays and Public Holidays 8.15am-10pm. The funicular runs every 15 minutes and costs €4.30 round trip.

Day Trip to Getxo

This little town is about a 20 minute metro journey from Bilbao city centre. This area is filled with the most beautiful landscapes, coastal cliffs and woodland trails.

Getxo holds a lot of history from the past where Basque maritime traditions and also houses some of the most beautiful mansions that stem from the bourgeoisie origins of its inhabitants.

This is a great place to go on a day trip if you want to have time away from the city. This coastal town is made up of several neighbourhoods but if you do decide to visit here, I would definitely recommend visiting Algorta Old Port. This area reminds me of a greek village, with its small cobbled streets and white cottages.

A walk along the cliff route from La Galea and the Aixerrota Windmill, is such a beautiful place to go to watch the sunset. You can walk along the cliffs and enjoy a birds eye view of the El Abra Port.

Gexto Marina and Bizkaia Bridge should also not be missed while you are on a day trip to Getxo. Heading over to this little town is very inexpensive if you are in Bilbao, which would be great if you are on a budget.

Casilda Iturrizar Park

This is Bilbao’s largest park, which is the perfect place to go to be in nature or just relax outdoors. This space has a small pond, a fountain, a pergola, and several other historical monuments.

Also located here is Bilbao’s Fine Arts Museum, so if you are interested in art, you can pop in here to see some of the finest works by Basque artists, as well as Spanish and European art from the 12th century to the modern day.

The Museum is open Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm, and opens 10am-3pm on Sundays. The cost to enter the museum is €7.

That concludes all my top recommendations of things to do while in Bilbao. This beautiful city is not to be missed if you are travelling Spain. Save this post and go see these amazing attractions if you are heading to Bilbao.

If you are planning to stay longer in Bilbao, you can take day trips to cities such as, Santander, San Sebastian, or Pamplona.