Guggenheim glitter, a lively old town and some of Spain’s best pintxos.
Once an industrial port, Bilbao is now a confident city of art and design, anchored by Frank Gehry’s titanium Guggenheim. The compact old town is made for pintxo-hopping, and the Basque coast and mountains are close.
Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.
Abandoibarra
Frank Gehry’s shimmering titanium building, holding bold contemporary art and giant outdoor sculptures.
Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 10:00–19:00; closed Mondays outside peak season
Casco Viejo
The compact medieval old town, with seven original streets full of bars and shops.
Open-air; shops keep their own hours
Casco Viejo
One of Europe’s largest covered markets, beside the river, with a food hall upstairs.
Monday–Saturday, mornings to early evening
Artxanda
A short funicular ride to a hilltop park with a panorama of the whole city.
Daily, roughly 7:15–22:00
Portugalete (12 km)
A UNESCO-listed transporter bridge from 1893 that carries cars and people over the river.
Runs daily; the high walkway has its own hours
Bakio (35 km)
A dramatic islet linked to the coast by a stone causeway and stairway, topped by a hermitage.
Access by timed booking in season
Ensanche
A reimagined wine warehouse holding a cultural centre, cinema and rooftop pool.
Daily, roughly 10:00–21:00
Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.
Abandoibarra, Bilbao
Rated 9.1/10, priced in line with similar 5★ hotels in Bilbao, in a central location.
Ensanche, Bilbao
Rated 8.4/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Bilbao, in Ensanche.
Casco Viejo, Bilbao
Rated 8.7/10, priced above typical 3★ hotels in Bilbao, for a higher-end stay, in a central location.
A huge, restored market building on the riverside, one of Europe’s largest covered markets, with pintxo bars upstairs.
Known for: Fresh produce and pintxos
About £14–30 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
A Moorish-style café with ornate tilework, opened in 1903, known for its pinchos morunos, skewers of spiced pork.
Known for: Pinchos morunos
About £14–30 per person
Local favourite Good for Couples · Families
A popular pintxo bar in the Plaza Nueva, known for its pintxos and long counters.
Known for: Pintxos
About £14–30 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
A traditional delicatessen and restaurant known for its cured meats and old-school Basque cooking.
Known for: Cured meats, traditional dishes
About £14–30 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Bilbao · Highlights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our Bilbao picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
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