Bilbao, Spain is by far one of our favorite cities in the world, a perfect combination of natural beauty, architecture, art and fantastic food. The city has an understated sophistication that we really like, and it does not feel overwhelmed by tourists like many other European cities. There is just one word to describe Bilbao – fantastic!
Of note is that people speak the Basque language, also known as Euskara. Castilian Spanish is also spoken but predominantly you will hear Euskara and see signs written in it.
Where to stay in Bilbao
For a great location and views, we recommend staying at the Gran Hotel Domine. Super comfortable rooms, a great rooftop restaurant with beautiful morning and evening views, and a great bar for creative cocktails on the ground floor. If you stay at the Gran Hotel Domine, you will also be just steps away from the Guggenheim Museum and right across from a beautiful park.
What to do in Bilbao
Day 1 in Bilbao
Walk the banks of the Nervión River
Start your visit to Bilbao by taking a long walk along the banks of the Nervión River. You will see some beautiful architecture, stroll along with the locals, and get a feel for the general vibe of Bilbao. You will also see many beautifully constructed and walkable bridges, including the La Salve Bridge and the Zubizuri Bridge. Be sure to walk across some of them.
Visit Casco Viejo de Bilbao
Stroll the streets of the beautifully preserved Casco Viejo de Bilbao. This is a pedestrian-only area full of shops, winding alleys and many places to stop for coffee, ice cream or just for a break. Admire what Bilbao used to be. This will give you an interesting appreciation as you later experience the newer parts of the city.
Stop by the Basque History Museum
While at Casco Viejo, stop by the History Museum of Bilbao. This small museum provides a quick overview of the history the Basque region. It is housed in a beautiful 17th century building right next to the Bilboko Donejakue Cathedral. One of the best exhibits is a map of the Basque Country (Pais Vasco, Euskadi) that you can literally walk around and study. The museum has over 20,000 artifacts on display.
Tour the Erribera Market
The Erribera merkatua historic marketplace is a must stop for anyone who is interested in getting to know a place by experiencing its food. It is considered the largest covered market in Europe and is very popular with locals and tourists alike. You can shop for fresh produce, meats and fish, or just window watch. Be sure to grab a table and get some pintxos and a drink from the many stalls on the second floor. On a sunny day, you can get a table and sit outside. If you are a foodie, this is a fantastic place to visit.
Visit the Sombreros Gorostiaga
Be sure to stop by the Sombreros Gorostiaga – a historic store selling berets, known as Txapelas, since 1857. These beautiful hats are made of really dense wool and are of the highest quality. If you like berets, you will be impressed with the craftsmanship, including the beautiful label inside each txapela. The Gorostiaga txapelas make for excellent gifts.
Admire the Bilbao’s architecture
Exit the Casco Viejo and head towards Teatro Arriaga. This very ornate building is modeled after the Paris Opera and is named after the Bilbao-born composer Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga. Make your way across the Areatzkato Bridge and take the Gran Vía de Don Diego López. Many stores, including the El Corte Inglés shopping mall, are located on the Gran Via. Take any of the side streets and you will be sure to run into more beautiful buildings, charming neighborhoods, and many great places to get some local pintxos and drinks.
Day 2 in Bilbao
Visit the Guggenheim Bilbao
Save a half a day to explore the Guggenheim, Bilbao. Designed by Frank Gehry as a metal ship anchored in the city of Bilbao, the museum is a must-see for anybody who appreciates modern art. On the outside you can see the Puppy by Jeff Koons, the giant spider Mamen by Louise Bourgeois, and the Tall Tree and the Eye by Anish Kapoor.
Inside, you can explore installations by Jenny Hozer, Mark Rothko, Richard Serra and many other artists. Keep in mind that the museum is not open on Mondays. I highly recommend a visit.
Take the Funicular de Artxanda
On a sunny day, perhaps the best way to see the city of Bilbao and the surrounding areas is atop Mount Artxanda. The historic park and funicular have been a part of Bilbao’s life since the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. Tourists and locals alike enjoy the views and the relaxing atmosphere. You can read more about the history of the park here.
What to eat and drink in Bilbao
This is the hardest subject to write about when it comes to Bilbao. The number of excellent places to eat and drink is so large that it is difficult to just pick a few. Here are a few of our favorites. Keep in mind, this list is just scratching the surface.
Casual optioins
- Plaza Nueva bars and restaurants in Casco Viejo – there is no shortage of excellent options located in the heart of Casco Viejo at the historic Plaza Nueva. Just walk around and choose what looks appealing to you from any of the following – Zezen Gorri, Bertoko Berria, Víctor Montes jatetxea, Bar Erreka, Café Bar Bilbao, Urdiña taberna, Sorgínzulo and more. It is all good 😋!
- Café Iruña – located right across the beautiful Jardines de Albia, this historic restaurant was built in 1903 and has continued to be a social meeting place for the people of Bilbao. Recently restored, the restaurant is beautifully and uniquely decorated with tiles and many murals – another must-see. The food is also very good – pintxos, grilled specialties, and great drinks.
- Bar Mugi – a hidden gem! Our favorite bar by far. Local top chefs consider Bar La Muga their place to hang out. Excellent atmosphere, the best pintxos we had while in Bilbao, great beer and wine selection😋!
- Pastelería Arrese – for some local desserts and sweets, try any of the locations of Pasteleria Arrese. Be sure to try the Forofogoitia! Wow😋!
- Gin Fizz Cocktail Bar – for late night drinks and a great atmosphere, try the Gin Fizz Cocktail Bar. As we learned, this is another place where top chefs like to hang out on their days off or late after a long day.
For a truly special occasion
- Nerua – a one Michelin star restaurant hidden on the side of the Guggenheim Museum. Truly outstanding food, presentation, and atmosphere. Reservations required. You can book a table for lunch if pressed for time.
- Azurmendi – a short drive or taxi ride from the city, Azurmendi is the best restaurant in town (3 Michelin Stars). Chef Eneko Atxa’s restaurant is located in a traditional farmhouse. The food is super creative, Basque-inspired and a treat for the senses! You must reserve well ahead of time to guarantee a table.
What we loved about Bilbao
- Beautiful city – a mix of classical and modern architecture
- Fantastic food at all places we tried
- Friendly people willing to assist, even when they spoke no English
- A special vibrancy felt in the evenings when the city seemed to come alive, and people were out and about socializing and enjoying themselves
- Easy access from the airport to town and easy to get around town
- If you happened to be in Bilbao during a soccer (football) match of the beloved Athletic Bilbao, you would observe the deep connection between soccer and the people from Bilbao. Everyone is watching, and I mean everyone – if not at the stadium in every bar and many restaurants. Something truly special.
What to bring
- Layers of clothing because the weather changes quite a bit.
- Comfortable shoes, as you can expect to walk a lot.
- Sunglasses – Bilbao gets a fair amount of rain, but the weather changes often and there is plenty of sunshine as well.
- An umbrella. We like this one for travel – but Amazon has many reasonably priced options.
In closing, we loved, loved, loved Bilbao and hope to return soon and continue to explore this part of Spain. Next time, we plan to include San Sebastian as well!
Additional resources and inspirations
Here are some links to additional resources you might find useful and inspirational for your trip to Bilbao:
- Northern Spain Gastronomy Cooking Classes
- Marti Buckley’s Basque Country: A Culinary Journey Through a Food Lover’s Paradise Book
- The Back Label’s Guide to Basque Wines
- More about Basque Wines and Gastronomy
[All pictures taken by the Styled Traveler]
Check out our list of travel essentials on what to take and how to maximize your packing.
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