Bilbao is the largest city of the Basque Country, an old port and steel town on the Nervión estuary that remade itself around Frank Gehry’s titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum. Today it is one of Spain’s most enjoyable cities: compact and green, with a riverside promenade, a medieval old town of seven streets packed with pintxos bars, a fine arts museum that has just reopened after a major expansion, and hills on every side reached by funicular. The coast is close by, with the UNESCO-listed Vizcaya Bridge and the island hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. San Sebastián is a short coach ride away. Expect green landscapes and more rain than in southern Spain; the best months are May to October.
Right now in Bilbao
- Wed 14–21°C 57–69°F 27 mm Heavy rain
- Thu 13–17°C 56–62°F 5 mm Showers
- Fri 8–17°C 47–62°F Partly cloudy
- Mon 12 Oct National Day of Spain (Fiesta Nacional de España)
Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Rates: ECB · Holidays: Nager.Date
Top tours in Bilbao
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Bilbao at a glance
- Best for: modern architecture and art, pintxos and Basque food, riverside walks, and day trips to the coast and San Sebastián.
- How long: 2 days for the city and the Guggenheim; 3–4 days to add Gaztelugatxe, the Vizcaya Bridge and San Sebastián.
- Best time: May to October, warmest in July and August (average highs of 25–26 °C). It rains on about 10–14 days a month from October to April.
- Getting there: fly to Bilbao airport (BIO), 12 km from the centre, with Bizkaibus line A3247 every 15 minutes; coaches from San Sebastián and Madrid; trains from Madrid and Barcelona.
- Getting around: on foot along the river, plus the metro, the tram and Bilbobus city buses. Use a Barik card or contactless.
- Before you go: entry rules, money, trains and general safety are on our Spain travel guide.
Bilbao’s neighbourhoods and who each one suits
The centre of Bilbao follows the river for about 3 km, and almost everything a visitor needs is on or near the water.
Casco Viejo (the old town)
The medieval core on the east bank, known for its Siete Calles (seven streets), the Gothic Santiago Cathedral, the arcaded Plaza Nueva and the Ribera market by the river. It is the heart of pintxos culture, lively until late and great for first-timers who like to be in the thick of things; ask for a quiet room.
Abando and the Ensanche
The 19th-century grid across the river, built around the Gran Vía shopping street, Plaza Moyua and the Abando station. Elegant buildings, good hotels at all levels and excellent transport. The most practical base for most visitors, between the old town and the Guggenheim.
Abandoibarra and the Guggenheim
The former docklands, now a riverside park of modern architecture with the Guggenheim, the Euskalduna conference hall and the Iberdrola Tower. Hotels here are upmarket, and the riverside paths are perfect for runners and walkers. Quieter at night.
Indautxu and Bilbao La Vieja
Indautxu is a smart residential district with good restaurants and the Azkuna Zentroa culture centre. Across the river from the old town, Bilbao La Vieja and San Francisco are multicultural and creative, with street art, small galleries and alternative bars; interesting by day, edgier late at night.
Top things to see in Bilbao
Prices and hours below were checked on the official sites in October 2026, unless we say otherwise; check again before you go.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Opened in 1997, Frank Gehry’s museum of curving titanium, glass and limestone is one of the most famous buildings of the late 20th century. Outside, Jeff Koons’s giant flower-covered Puppy guards the entrance and Louise Bourgeois’s spider Maman stands by the river. Inside, the soaring atrium leads to galleries of modern and contemporary art, including Richard Serra’s walk-through steel sculptures The Matter of Time. As of October 2026 adult tickets cost €18, €9 for students aged 18–25 and over-65s, and under-18s go free; all tickets include an audio guide. The museum opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–19:00, until 20:00 in Easter week and from mid-June to mid-September, and on a few Mondays, including 12 October and 7 and 28 December. It closes on 25 December and 1 January. Buy only on the museum’s own site; it warns of ticket fraud. A combined ticket with the Fine Arts Museum is available.
Bilbao Fine Arts Museum (Bilbao Museoa)
One of Spain’s best art museums, with works from the Middle Ages to today, including El Greco, Goya, Gauguin and Basque painters. After an expansion by Norman Foster and the local architect Luis María Uriarte, the “new museum” reopens on Tuesday 6 October 2026, with free entry from 6 to 13 October. After that, according to the museum, general tickets cost €12 (€6 reduced, free under 18). Its usual closing day is Tuesday; check the new opening hours on its website. It sits in the Doña Casilda park, a short walk from the Guggenheim.
Casco Viejo, Plaza Nueva and the Ribera market
Wander the Siete Calles, the original seven parallel streets of the medieval town, to the Gothic Santiago Cathedral and the Plaza Nueva, a 19th-century arcaded square lined with pintxos bars, with a flea market on Sunday mornings. On the riverbank, the Mercado de la Ribera, in an Art Deco building, is one of Europe’s largest covered markets, with food stalls on the ground floor. Climb the steps from the Plaza de Unamuno to the Basilica of Begoña for a view over the old town.
The Artxanda funicular
Since 1915 a funicular has climbed from the Plaza del Funicular, near the Zubizuri footbridge, to Mount Artxanda in 3 minutes, for the best view over the city and the Guggenheim. Up top there are a park, picnic spots and grill restaurants. As of October 2026 the city’s official fare is €3.50 one way or €6 return, much less with a Barik card. From October to May it runs Monday to Saturday 7:15–22:00 and Sundays and holidays 8:15–22:00, every 10 minutes from 11:00 to 20:00 and every 15 minutes at other times.
The Vizcaya Bridge
The world’s oldest transporter bridge, opened in 1893 between Portugalete and Getxo at the mouth of the estuary, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A gondola hanging from the iron frame still ferries people and cars across the river around the clock, for €0.60 per person between 5:00 and 22:00 as of October 2026. For the view, take the lift to the walkway 50 m up and walk across: €11 for adults, €9 for over-65s and students, free under 5. The walkway opens 10:00–20:00 from Easter to October and 10:00–14:00 and 16:00–19:00 from November to Easter, weather permitting; in October 2026 the operator warned that, because of a technical problem, the lift was running 10:00–14:00 and 16:00–20:00 at half capacity. Take the metro to Areeta or Portugalete, about 20 minutes from the centre.
More to see
- Azkuna Zentroa: a former wine warehouse turned culture centre by Philippe Starck, with 43 different columns and a glass-bottomed rooftop pool.
- Zubizuri and the riverside: Santiago Calatrava’s white footbridge and the promenade from the old town to the Euskalduna.
- San Mamés: Athletic Club’s stadium and museum, home of the club that fields only Basque players.
- Itsasmuseum: the maritime museum in an old shipyard by the Euskalduna bridge.
- Arriaga Theatre: the grand 19th-century opera house at the entrance to the old town.
Other things to do in Bilbao
A pintxos crawl
Pintxos are small bites, often on bread, piled on bar counters; in Bilbao you also order hot ones from the board. Hop between bars in the Plaza Nueva and the Siete Calles, or around Ledesma and Diputación streets in the Ensanche, with a txakoli (crisp local white wine) or a zurito (small beer). Pay at the end and tell the barman what you had. Try Bilbao’s classic bacalao al pil-pil (salt cod in an olive-oil sauce) and Idiazabal cheese.
Walking and cycling
The riverside promenade is flat and car-free for long stretches, ideal for a bike ride from the old town to the Guggenheim and beyond. For hills, walk the trails on Artxanda or climb Mount Pagasarri south of the city. See our cycling and hiking guides.
Beaches and surfing
The metro reaches the beaches of Getxo, with Ereaga and Arrigunaga close to stations, and Sopela, a popular surf beach under cliffs. Further east, Bakio and the left-hand wave of Mundaka draw surfers from all over Europe. See our surfing and beaches guides.
Day trips and onward travel
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
A tiny hermitage on a rocky islet joined to the coast by a zigzag stone path and 241 steps, famous as a Game of Thrones location. It is a protected natural monument between Bakio and Bermeo, run by the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, which caps visitors at 1,462 a day. On controlled days you need a free ticket booked online for a time slot; on other days access is open. For 2026 the official calendar lists controlled access on the weekends of October and on 12 and 31 October, on 1 November, from 5 to 8 December and on 30 December. The walk down from the Urizarreta entrance is 1.2 km with a steep 35% slope, and the return to Ermu is 1.6 km uphill, so wear good shoes. Parking is very limited; from September to June take a Bizkaibus to Bakio or Bermeo and change to the small connecting service, which takes cash only. Avoid 24 June, 31 July, 29 and 31 August and 30 December, which are reserved for local celebrations.
San Sebastián, Gernika and the coast
San Sebastián, with La Concha beach and its pintxos bars, is a little over an hour by coach from the Bilbao Intermodal station, and a direct coach also runs from Bilbao airport. Gernika, the Basque town bombed in 1937 and remembered in Picasso’s painting, and the fishing towns of Bermeo and Mundaka in the Urdaibai biosphere reserve are reached by Euskotren trains.
Nearby destinations
- San Sebastián78 km
- Biarritz114 km
- Picos de Europa154 km
- Arcachon Bay214 km
- Lourdes235 km
- Zaragoza246 km
- Bordeaux257 km
- Segovia275 km
Getting there and getting around
From Bilbao airport
Bilbao airport (BIO) is about 12 km north of the centre, in Loiu. According to Aena and Bizkaibus, line A3247 runs from the arrivals level every 15 minutes, from 6:10 to 23:40 towards the city and from 5:00 to 22:00 back to the airport, stopping at Alameda Recalde, Plaza Moyua, Gran Vía 79 and the Termibus coach station. As of October 2026 a single ticket costs €5; the trip takes 20–30 minutes. Taxis wait outside arrivals.
By coach, train and ferry
Long-distance coaches arrive at the Bilbao Intermodal station (Termibus), with frequent services to San Sebastián, Santander, Vitoria and Madrid. Renfe trains from Madrid and Barcelona arrive at Abando station in the centre; Euskotren runs regional trains along the coast. Car ferries from the UK and Ireland dock at Santurtzi, on the estuary, linked to the centre by metro.
Metro, tram and buses
Metro Bilbao, with stations designed by Norman Foster and their glass “fosterito” entrances, runs two lines along both banks of the estuary to Getxo, Portugalete and the beaches. The tram links the old town, the Guggenheim and San Mamés, and Bilbobus covers the rest. The Barik card works on all of them, the funicular and Bizkaibus, and is much cheaper than single tickets.
Driving and the low-emission zone
You do not need a car in Bilbao, and the centre is inside a low-emission zone (ZBE). According to the city council, it applies on working days, Monday to Friday 7:00–20:00. Foreign-registered cars are judged by their Euro emission standard: those equivalent to Spain’s A (no label) or B categories may not enter, drive or park inside the zone and can be fined. Cars equivalent to a B label may still drive to the public car parks within the ZBE system until 31 December 2029. Non-EU cars without a Euro standard on their papers must be registered in the city’s foreign-vehicle register. Use car parks on the edge of the centre and the metro.
When to go and how long to stay
Bilbao has a mild, wet Atlantic climate: green all year, rarely very hot or very cold, with rain spread through the seasons. The table uses AEMET’s 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bilbao airport weather station, 12 km north of the centre: average daily highs and lows, and days with at least 1 mm of rain. The city centre, in its valley, is often a little warmer in summer.
| Season | Average high / low | Rainy days per month | What it’s like | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 14 °C / 5–6 °C | 11–13 | Cool, grey and wet, with mild spells when the south wind blows | Museums, pintxos, low prices |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 17–21 °C / 7–11 °C | 10–12 | Changeable, green and fresh | Walking, the coast, city sightseeing |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 24–26 °C / 14–16 °C | 7 | Warm, the driest and sunniest season | Beaches, Gaztelugatxe, festivals |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 25 °C falling to 17 °C / 14 °C falling to 8 °C | 9 in September, 14 in November | Often fine in September, wettest month in November | Museums, food, walking |
Bilbao airport averages about 1,155 mm of rain a year, with November the wettest month. Pack for showers whatever the season.
Events worth planning around
- July: the Bilbao BBK Live music festival on Mount Kobetamendi.
- August: Aste Nagusia (Big Week), nine days of concerts, fireworks, Basque sports and street parties, starting on the Saturday after 15 August.
- Football season: Athletic Club play at San Mamés from August to May.
How long to stay: 2, 3 and 4 days
2 days: day one, the Guggenheim and the riverside, then pintxos in the Plaza Nueva; day two, the Fine Arts Museum, the Casco Viejo and the Ribera market, and the funicular to Artxanda for sunset.
3 days: add the Vizcaya Bridge and the Getxo seafront by metro. 4 days: add San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and Bermeo, or a day in San Sebastián.
Where to stay in Bilbao and the tourist tax
- Casco Viejo: atmosphere and bars on the doorstep; can be noisy.
- Abando and the Ensanche: central, well connected and with the widest choice.
- Abandoibarra: upmarket hotels by the Guggenheim and the river.
- Getxo: a seaside alternative by metro, near the beaches and the Vizcaya Bridge.
Rooms are scarce during Aste Nagusia, BBK Live and big football or conference weekends. There is no tourist tax in Bilbao as of October 2026, but one starts on 1 January 2027. Under the Provincial Council of Bizkaia’s Norma Foral 3/2026, each town sets its own rates, and in September 2026 Bilbao’s city council approved, per person per night for up to 6 nights: €5 in five-star hotels, €4 in four-star, €2 in three-star, €1.50 in two-star and €1 in one-star hotels, guesthouses, hostels, campsites and rural houses; €3.50 in tourist apartments; €2 in other tourist lodgings; and €6.50 in tourist flats (viviendas de uso turístico). Under-18s are exempt, as are stays booked before 5 February 2026. Your accommodation collects it.
Practical tips for Bilbao
- Get a Barik card: it covers the metro, tram, buses, the funicular and Bizkaibus at lower fares.
- Mondays: the Guggenheim is closed on most Mondays, so plan your museum day.
- Book Gaztelugatxe: on controlled days, reserve your free slot online; you will be turned away without one.
- Pintxos etiquette: take what you want, keep count, pay at the end; hot pintxos are ordered from the board.
- Language: Basque (Euskara) and Spanish are both official; signs use both, so Bilbao is Bilbo too.
- Emergencies: call 112.
What to pack for Bilbao
A waterproof jacket or a compact umbrella is essential in any season, along with comfortable, ideally waterproof shoes for the city and the steep Gaztelugatxe path. Layers work best: a light jumper even in summer evenings, and a warm coat from November to March. For the beaches and surf at Sopela or Mundaka, bring a swimsuit and a towel; the sea stays cool, so surfers wear wetsuits most of the year. A small daypack fits the Guggenheim’s bag rules better than a large rucksack.
Bilbao travel FAQ
How much is the Guggenheim Bilbao?
As of October 2026, €18 for adults, €9 for students aged 18–25 and over-65s, and free for under-18s, with an audio guide included. Buy on the museum’s official site.
Is the Guggenheim open on Mondays?
Usually not. It opens Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–19:00, plus a few Mondays such as 12 October and 7 and 28 December in 2026, and Mondays in summer.
How do I get from Bilbao airport to the city?
Take Bizkaibus line A3247, every 15 minutes, for €5 as of October 2026. It stops in the centre at Alameda Recalde, Plaza Moyua and Gran Vía before the Termibus station.
Do I need to book San Juan de Gaztelugatxe?
Only on controlled days: in 2026 these were every day from mid-June to 20 September, Easter, many spring weekends and the weekends of October. The ticket is free and booked online on the Provincial Council of Bizkaia’s site; other days are open access.
Is there a tourist tax in Bilbao?
Not until 1 January 2027. From then, Bilbao charges €1–€6.50 per person per night depending on the type of lodging, for up to 6 nights; under-18s are exempt.
How far is San Sebastián from Bilbao?
About 100 km, a little over an hour by coach from the Intermodal station, with frequent departures. An hourly coach also runs direct from Bilbao airport.
Can I drive into Bilbao with a foreign car?
Only if its Euro standard equals a Spanish C, ECO or Zero label on weekdays 7:00–20:00, when the low-emission zone applies. Older cars equivalent to A or B labels face fines. It is easier to park on the edge and use the metro.
Is two days enough for Bilbao?
Two days covers the Guggenheim, the Fine Arts Museum, the old town and Artxanda. Add a third and fourth day for the coast, Gaztelugatxe and San Sebastián.
Does it rain a lot in Bilbao?
Yes, by Spanish standards: about 125 days a year with at least 1 mm of rain at the airport. Summer is the driest season, with about 7 rainy days a month.
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Guggenheim prices and hours: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao; Fine Arts Museum reopening and fees: Bilbao Museoa; Artxanda funicular: the city’s official funicular site; Vizcaya Bridge: the bridge operator; airport bus: Aena and Bizkaibus (Provincial Council of Bizkaia); Gaztelugatxe access and 2026 calendar: Provincial Council of Bizkaia; tourist tax: Bilbao City Council; low-emission zone: Bilbao City Council; climate: AEMET’s 1991–2020 normals for Bilbao airport, published through the WMO. Coach times to San Sebastián, ferry links, journey times and event timings are general references and flagged for checking. Prices, hours and timetables change, so check the official sites before you go. For entry rules, money and general safety, see our Spain travel guide.
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