You're Going to Love Bilbao
The largest city in Spain's Basque Country, Bilbao is a cultural magnet, attracting millions of art lovers to its galleries and museum. But it's more than that; with great food, sport and coastal attractions in the area, Bilbao rewards everyone who visits.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Bilbao
1. The Bilbao Guggenheim
Opened in 1997 and designed by superstar architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim is one of Europe's most spectacular galleries and is packed with modern and post-modern masterpieces.
2. Plenty of Other Museums and Galleries
A great complement to the Guggenheim, the Museum of Fine Arts houses a wonderful collection of pre-19th-century art, there's an engaging Basque Museum and an equally fascinating Archaeological Museum to explore.
3. The Beautiful Riverside Old Town
Central Bilbao (the "Casco Viejo") dates back over a thousand years. Don't miss churches like San Nicolás de Bari and the cafes and boutiques on the Siete Calles.
4. A Gorgeous 19th Century Cathedral
Another gem of the city's attractions is the Cathedral of Santiago, a key link on the pilgrimage route to Compostela. It's a stunning work with Gothic decorations and an astonishing feeling of peace and tranquility.
5. Lively Cultural Festivals
If you love rock music, July's BBK Live is one of Spain's biggest events, while the BAD dance and theater event in October is a showcase for the finest Basque talent.
When to Visit Bilbao
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Weather-wise, June and July are good times to go, with sunshine and warm weather almost guaranteed. You can see the sights (and perhaps avoid peak season crowds), while the beaches of San Sebastian are within reach as well.
How to Get to Bilbao
Plane
Plenty of regional airlines fly into Bilbao Airport. From there, take Bizkaibus A3247 (EUR1.45, 25 minutes).
Train
Renfe trains run from Madrid and Barcelona. Fares from both cities range from EUR14-30.
Car
From Barcelona, take the AP-2, then the AP-68 at Zaragoza, before taking the AP-15 at Alfaro. From Madrid, take the E-5, the AP-1 and then the AP-68.
Bus
ALSA and PESA run intercity buses into Bilbao from San Sebastian, Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza and Burgos. Buses from Madrid take around 5 hours and cost EUR15.
Airlines serving Bilbao
Where to stay in popular areas of Bilbao
Most booked hotels in Bilbao
How to Get Around Bilbao
Public Transportation
Bilbao has a subway, buses, trams and regional trains. Single journeys cost EUR1.20 minimum and you can save money by purchasing a rechargeable Barik Card.
Taxi
Taxis in Bilbao charge a meter drop of EUR4, followed by around EUR3 for every subsequent mile.
Car
Car rental options in town include Thrifty, Avis and Budget, with rates starting at around EUR15 per day.
Car rental agencies in Bilbao
The Cost of Living in Bilbao
Shopping Streets
Gran Via and the Plaza Federico Moyua are the city's main shopping areas, where you'll find elite apparel stores like Max Mara or Carolina Herrera and plenty of international chains.
Groceries and Other
Supermarkets include BM Supermercados and Opencor, where you can expect to spend around EUR3.30 on a gallon of milk.
Where to Eat in Bilbao
Bilbao has some of Spain's finest tapas restaurants, but standouts include the Michelin-starred Zortziko, Mandoya at the heart of the old town and Irrintzi, specialists in "pintxos" (tapas served skewered on a toothpick). Expect main meals to cost around EUR20-25 and tapas to cost EUR3-5 per portion.