Bilbao surprised me before I had even reached my hotel.
From the airport bus, I watched green hills fold around the city while the Nervión River appeared between apartment buildings and modern bridges. Then, as we crossed the river, the metallic curves of the Guggenheim Museum flashed in the afternoon light.
I had imagined Bilbao as a serious industrial city with one famous museum. Instead, I found lively pintxos bars, pastel-colored buildings, riverside walks, historic streets and a creative energy that seemed to appear everywhere.
The city felt compact but never small. I could spend the morning with contemporary art, eat lunch in a traditional market, wander through medieval lanes and finish the day above the rooftops on Mount Artxanda.
These are my ten favorite things to do in Bilbao, along with the transport advice, food recommendations, booking websites and practical tips that made my visit easier.
Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?
Bilbao is absolutely worth visiting, even when you are not especially interested in modern art.
The Guggenheim may be the city’s most recognizable landmark, but Bilbao also offers a historic Old Town, Basque food, traditional markets, excellent museums, interesting architecture and easy access to the coast.
I recommend spending at least two full days in Bilbao. Three or four days give you enough time to explore slowly and include a coastal excursion.
The official Bilbao Tourism website is a useful place to check current attractions, maps, walking routes, food recommendations and transportation information.
Where I Stayed in Bilbao
I stayed close to Plaza Moyúa in the Ensanche district.
The area worked perfectly for my first visit. I could walk to the Guggenheim, reach Casco Viejo by Metro or on foot and return to my accommodation through busy, well-lit streets after dinner.
The buildings around the Ensanche were elegant, with decorative balconies, broad avenues and small cafés tucked between shops.
For first-time visitors, I would consider three areas:
Ensanche and Abando
This is the most practical choice for shopping, transportation, restaurants and easy access to both the Guggenheim and Old Town.
Casco Viejo
Bilbao’s Old Town is best for atmosphere, historic streets and pintxos bars. It becomes lively at night, so travelers who sleep lightly should read recent noise reviews.
Guggenheim and Abandoibarra
This modern riverside area works well for travelers who prioritize contemporary architecture, museums and peaceful evening walks.
I compared accommodation through Booking.com and then checked each hotel’s exact street on Google Maps.
Accommodation tip: Bilbao is rainy throughout the year. A hotel near a Metro or tram stop can be especially useful when the weather changes suddenly.
1. Explore the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
As I approached along the river, its titanium-covered surfaces seemed to change color with every movement of the clouds. From one angle, the building looked smooth and futuristic. From another, it resembled a collection of enormous metallic sails.
Outside, I stopped beside Louise Bourgeois’s giant spider sculpture, Maman, before walking around the riverside terraces. The exterior installations and architecture made the area feel like an open-air museum.
Inside, my favorite experience was Richard Serra’s The Matter of Time. Walking between the huge curved steel forms made me feel disoriented in a strangely peaceful way.
The official museum website currently lists works including pieces by Richard Serra, Louise Bourgeois, Eduardo Chillida, Jenny Holzer and Yayoi Kusama.
At the time of writing, the museum generally opens from Tuesday to Sunday, with extended hours on selected dates. Ticket prices and Monday openings vary, so purchase admission only through the official Guggenheim Bilbao website.
Museum tip: Allow at least three hours and save time to walk around the entire exterior.
2. Walk Along the Nervión River
This became one of my favorite Bilbao experiences.
The riverside route revealed how dramatically the city has changed. Contemporary buildings and bridges stood beside reminders of Bilbao’s industrial past, while parks and pedestrian paths made the waterfront feel open and relaxed.
I walked beneath La Salve Bridge, passed the Guggenheim’s outdoor sculptures and continued toward the white Zubizuri footbridge.
The architecture was impressive, but my most memorable moment was much simpler. I sat beside the river with a coffee and watched the light move across the museum while cyclists and families passed behind me.
Bilbao Tourism offers architectural and riverside walking routes connecting the city’s Old Town, Ensanche and modern Abandoibarra district.
Walking tip: Follow one riverbank in one direction and return on the opposite side. The buildings look completely different from across the water.
3. Get Lost in Casco Viejo
The district developed around the Siete Calles, or Seven Streets: Somera, Artecalle, TenderÃa, Belosticalle, CarnicerÃa Vieja, Barrencalle and Barrencalle Barrena. These streets remain the original nucleus of the Old Town.
I entered through Plaza Nueva, where arcaded walkways surrounded a square filled with restaurants and café tables.
From there, I stopped following the map.
I wandered along polished cobbled lanes, passed traditional shops and found quiet corners only a few streets from the busiest bars. Balconies were filled with flowers and laundry, while bakery windows displayed cakes, bread and pastries.
I also visited Santiago Cathedral and walked toward San Antón Church near the river. Bilbao Tourism’s official walking-tour information highlights the cathedral, Plaza Nueva, San Antón Church and the Ribera Market as key parts of the medieval Old Town.
Hidden-gem tip: Explore Casco Viejo in the morning before returning for pintxos in the evening. The neighborhood has two completely different personalities.
4. Go Pintxos Hopping
My first attempt was slightly confusing. The bars were crowded, the counters were filled with elaborate dishes and everyone around me seemed to know exactly what to order.
I soon learned that the best approach was to keep moving.
In each bar, I ordered one pintxo and one small drink. Then I paid, walked to the next place and tried something different.
My favorite pintxos included:
- Grilled mushrooms
- Local cheese with peppers
- Tortilla de patatas
- Croquettes
- Cod with roasted vegetables
- Gildas with olives and pickled peppers
- Bread topped with goat cheese and caramelized onion
Pintxos are a central Basque tradition, and Bilbao Tourism publishes routes covering Casco Viejo, Ribera Market, Ledesma, Diputación, Deusto and other areas.
Use the official Bilbao pintxos guide to explore different neighborhoods and specialties.
Food tip: Ask for the house specialty. The best item is not always the most attractive one displayed on the counter.
5. Eat and Browse at Mercado de la Ribera
The building is worth visiting for its stained glass and bright interior, but food was the real reason I stayed.
The market covers around 10,000 square meters across two levels and combines traditional produce stalls with modern food spaces.
I browsed counters filled with fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish and preserved foods before heading toward the gastropub area.
Instead of ordering a full lunch, I chose several smaller dishes and shared a table overlooking the river.
The market’s upper gastropub area includes food, cheese, preserved products, traditional snacks, making it an easy place to sample different flavors in one stop.
Check current information through the official Ribera Market tourism page.
Market tip: Visit before the busiest lunch period if you want to photograph the building and browse the produce stalls calmly.
6. Ride the Funicular to Mount Artxanda
The ride itself lasted only a few minutes, but it carried me from the riverside neighborhood of Castaños to a broad viewpoint above Bilbao.
From the top, I could see the river winding through the city, the Guggenheim beside La Salve Bridge and the mountains surrounding the urban center.
The view helped me understand why Bilbao feels both metropolitan and close to nature.
I walked through the park, found a quiet bench and stayed until the sunlight began softening over the rooftops.
The funicular journey lasts around three minutes, with services generally running every 10 or 15 minutes depending on the time of day. Current hours and prices are listed on the official Artxanda Funicular website.
Viewpoint tip: Visit on your clearest day. Low cloud can hide the surrounding hills and skyline.
7. Visit the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum
Its collection covers Western art from Romanesque works through early avant-garde movements and later developments, with a strong connection to Basque and Spanish art. The museum was founded in 1908 and opened to the public in 1914.
I appreciated the calmer atmosphere after the Guggenheim’s dramatic galleries.
The museum is beside Doña Casilda Park, so I followed my visit with a slow walk beneath the trees. The park gave me a peaceful pause between indoor attractions.
The museum has been undergoing expansion work, so current entrances, exhibitions and services may change. Check the official Bilbao Fine Arts Museum website before visiting.
Art tip: Do not try to compare the Fine Arts Museum with the Guggenheim. They offer completely different experiences and complement each other beautifully.
8. Discover Azkuna Zentroa
The building was originally a warehouse for wine, oil and preserved goods. Today it functions as a cultural center with exhibitions, cinema, performance spaces, cafés, a library and other public areas.
I entered expecting a quick architectural stop and stayed much longer.
The central atrium was supported by a collection of decorative columns, each with a different design. Looking upward, I could see the glass-bottomed swimming pool suspended above the space.
The center’s guided visits explain the building’s history and transformation from a commercial warehouse into a contemporary cultural venue.
Check exhibitions and opening information on the official Azkuna Zentroa website.
Rainy-day tip: Azkuna Zentroa is an excellent place to save for wet weather because it combines architecture, culture, food and indoor public spaces.
9. Cross the Vizcaya Bridge and Explore Getxo
The bridge connects Portugalete and Las Arenas across the mouth of the Nervión River. It was inaugurated in 1893 and designed to transport people and vehicles without interrupting shipping traffic.
Instead of a conventional road deck, a suspended gondola moves passengers across the water.
I crossed once in the gondola and then went up to the panoramic walkway. The height made me nervous, but the views toward the river, coast and surrounding towns were worth it.
The Vizcaya Bridge became the Basque Country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and Spain’s first industrial heritage site to receive that recognition.
Check current prices, opening times and walkway access through the official Vizcaya Bridge website.
Afterward, I continued through Getxo for a seaside walk and lunch.
Excursion tip: Combine the bridge with Getxo’s waterfront rather than returning to central Bilbao immediately.
10. Take a Day Trip to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
The rocky islet is connected to the mainland by a narrow stone path and staircase. At the top stands a small hermitage dedicated to Saint John.
The route includes 241 steps, and the climb felt much harder on the return journey than it had from the viewpoint above.
Wind rushed across the coast, waves broke against the rocks and the landscape seemed to stretch endlessly in both directions.
Access is controlled during certain periods to protect the site and manage visitor numbers. A free reservation may be required, and visitors must present their confirmation on arrival.
Use the official Gaztelugatxe reservation information and Visit Biscay guide before traveling.
Public transport varies by season. Bilbao Tourism notes that Bizkaibus schedules and special services change during Easter and summer, so check the current route rather than relying on an old itinerary.
Day-trip tip: Wear supportive shoes, carry water and avoid scheduling the climb during the hottest or wettest part of the day.
What to Eat in Bilbao
Bilbao’s food deserves as much time as its architecture.
These were the Basque specialties I most enjoyed:
- Pintxos: Small dishes eaten from bar to bar
- Gilda: Olive, anchovy and pickled pepper
- Bacalao al pil-pil: Cod in an emulsified garlic and olive-oil sauce
- Bacalao a la vizcaÃna: Cod with a red pepper-based sauce
- Marmitako: Tuna and potato stew
- Idiazabal cheese: Basque sheep’s-milk cheese
- Txakoli: Light, dry local white wine
- Carolina: A traditional Bilbao pastry topped with meringue
- Basque cheesecake: Rich cheesecake with a dark caramelized top
I ate best when I ordered slowly, asked for recommendations and resisted the urge to stay in one restaurant all evening.
Useful Websites for Planning a Bilbao Trip
- Official Bilbao Tourism
- Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
- Bilbao Fine Arts Museum
- Azkuna Zentroa
- Artxanda Funicular
- Vizcaya Bridge
- Bilbao Bizkaia Card
- Bilbao Airport
- Visit Biscay
- Gaztelugatxe reservations
Always check official websites shortly before traveling because opening times, admission prices, exhibitions, transport schedules and access conditions can change.
Getting to and Around Bilbao
Bilbao is easy to explore without a car.
The central areas are walkable, while the Metro, buses and tram connect neighborhoods and nearby towns. The Bilbao Bizkaia Card is available in 24-, 48- and 72-hour versions and includes unlimited travel on services such as Metro Bilbao, Bilbobus, Bizkaibus, Euskotren, the tram and the Artxanda Funicular during its validity period.
From Bilbao Airport, the A3247 bus travels into the city with stops along Alameda Rekalde and Gran VÃa before reaching Bilbao Intermodal bus station. Check the latest route and timetable through the official Bilbao Airport bus page.
Useful transportation websites include:
Transportation tip: I walked whenever possible and saved public transport for hills, rainy periods and trips outside the center.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need in Bilbao?
Two full days are enough for the main city attractions. I recommend three or four days when you want to include the Vizcaya Bridge, Getxo or San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
Is Bilbao expensive?
Accommodation and high-end restaurants can be expensive, but many attractions, river walks and public spaces are free. Pintxos also make it possible to control how much you spend on food.
What is the best area to stay in Bilbao?
Ensanche and Abando are the most convenient for first-time visitors. Casco Viejo is better for historic atmosphere and nightlife, while the Guggenheim area suits museum and architecture lovers.
Is Bilbao walkable?
Yes. Most central attractions can be reached on foot. The Metro, tram and buses are useful for the airport, coast and outlying neighborhoods.
What is the best time to visit Bilbao?
Late spring and early autumn usually offer pleasant sightseeing conditions. Rain is possible in every season, so I recommend carrying a light waterproof layer.
Is Bilbao safe for a solo woman?
I felt comfortable walking through the main districts, including during busy evenings. I followed normal precautions and stayed aware of my belongings in crowded bars and transport stations.
Do I need to book the Guggenheim in advance?
Advance booking is sensible during weekends, holidays and busy travel periods. Buy tickets through the museum’s official website to avoid fraudulent sellers.
Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Bilbao
Bilbao changed my idea of what a city shaped by industry could become.
Its past was still visible in the river, bridges and warehouses, but art, food and public spaces had given those surroundings new energy.
I remember the Guggenheim glowing beside the water, the noise of a crowded pintxos bar and the view from Mount Artxanda as the city disappeared into green hills.
I also remember quieter moments: sitting beneath the trees in Doña Casilda Park, finding an empty lane in Casco Viejo and drinking coffee beside the river while rain moved across the skyline.
Use these ten things to do in Bilbao as a flexible guide, but leave room for the city to surprise you.
Save this Bilbao travel guide for your Basque Country trip, and share your favorite museum, pintxo, viewpoint or hidden discovery in the comments.