{"id":176393,"date":"2024-06-17T17:07:08","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T15:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/bilbao-sights\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T23:27:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T21:27:50","slug":"things-to-do-in-bilbao","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehappyjetlagger.com\/en\/things-to-do-in-bilbao\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Things to Do in Bilbao"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you planning a trip to the Basque Country<\/strong>? Then Bilbao will certainly be on your sightseeing list! In this article, I’ll show you which sights in Bilbao<\/strong> you shouldn’t miss – but I’ll also tell you why I personally wasn’t really impressed by the city, even after several visits! (More on this later in the article). <\/p>\n\n

Guggenheim Museum<\/h2>\n\n

The Guggenheim Museum<\/a> is probably THE landmark of Bilbao. The Museum of Modern Art<\/strong> is a branch of the Guggenheim Museum in New York<\/a> and is probably the very first location that visitors head for in Bilbao. The construction of this architectural super project, designed by Frank O. Gehry<\/strong>, has transformed the former industrial city<\/strong> to such an extent that a phenomenon<\/strong> has even been named after this incisive event: The Bilbao effect<\/strong> describes the upgrading of a place solely through a spectacular building. <\/p>\n\n

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However, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is not just a feast for the eyes from the outside: inside you can see really impressive contemporary works of art in the permanent exhibition. In addition, there are always spectacular temporary exhibitions<\/strong> and works on display. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can buy tickets for the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao online here<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Insider tip<\/strong>: If you want to know what Bilbao used to look like, you will find a small room with a video installation<\/strong> called “Zero” directly to the right of the ticket office. (Most visitors simply walk past it). <\/p>\n\n

It shows what Bilbao used to look like and how drastically the city has changed over the last hundred years<\/strong>. By the way: you don’t need a ticket for the museum to see the installation, as it is located in front of the entrance control. But honestly: if you’re already here, you shouldn’t miss the exhibition! <\/p>\n\n

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Don’t miss this tour in Bilbao<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best way to admire the full beauty of the Guggenheim’s architecture is from the water. The 1- or 2-hour boat tour<\/strong> doesn’t cost much and you will learn more about Bilbao’s dramatic development from an industrial city to a tourist magnet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Zubizuri Bridge<\/h2>\n\n

Does the design of the Zubizuri Bridge<\/strong> not far from the Guggenheim Museum look familiar? On the one hand, the curved shape is supposed to be reminiscent of a sail – on the other, it looks quite similar to the terminal at Bilbao airport. No wonder, as both the pedestrian bridge<\/strong> over the Nervi\u00f3n<\/strong> and the terminal were designed by Spanish star architect Santiago Calatrava<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

\"View<\/figure>\n\n

Old town of Bilbao \/ Casco Viejo<\/h2>\n\n

You should also not miss out on a visit to Bilbao’s old town<\/strong>. It is all too easy to get lost in the narrow streets with their numerous eateries<\/strong>. The Basque Country is also known for its excellent cuisine<\/strong> and the number of Michelin-starred restaurants<\/strong> is exceptionally high. So it’s best to come hungry! <\/p>\n\n

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Don’t have a big budget for fine gourmet restaurants? No problem either! In the old town of Bilbao you will also find numerous bars and restaurants that offer really good pintxos<\/strong> for a small price. Pintxos are small snacks<\/strong>, similar to tapas, which are traditionally eaten with a drink – but you can also easily fill up on the large selection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here you can find my food guide for Bilbao<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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If you’re unsure about how the pintxos work, I recommend a food tour<\/strong> through the old town – you’ll love it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Book your food tour through the old town of Bilbao here<\/a>*<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Plaza Nueva<\/h2>\n\n

Known as Plaza Mayor in many Spanish cities, Plaza Nueva<\/strong> is the heart of the old town, so to speak. You will also find many good bars and restaurants<\/strong> around the square, where you can sample a selection of pintxos. <\/p>\n\n

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Bilbao Cathedral<\/h2>\n\n
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Bilbao Cathedral<\/strong> is also located in the middle of Bilbao’s old town. It is practically impossible to miss. Interesting fact: Bilbao is on the Way of St. James<\/strong> and Bilbao Cathedral dates back to an old pilgrimage church. That’s why you’ll often meet pilgrims here who are on their way to Santiago de Compostela. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy your ticket for the Cathedral of Bilbao here<\/a>*<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

\"Gothic<\/figure>\n\n
\"Gothic<\/figure>\n\n

Azkuna Zentroa (Alh\u00f3ndiga Bilbao)<\/h2>\n\n

Originally, the vacant former wine storehouse<\/strong> was under discussion as the location for the Guggenheim Museum; the project ultimately fell through due to the lack of space, among other things. Which is a stroke of luck from today’s perspective: the Azkuna Zentroa<\/a> cultural and multi-purpose center designed by Philippe Starck<\/strong> was opened here in 2010. <\/p>\n\n

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In addition to cinemas, restaurants, an auditorium and a municipal library<\/strong>, there is also a fitness studio<\/strong> and a public swimming pool<\/strong> on the top floor of the complex.<\/p>\n\n

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One of the pools even has a glass bottom<\/strong>, which you can see from the first floor! You can visit the swimming pool<\/strong> itself with a day ticket – if you have a bit more time in Bilbao, this is definitely a good idea for a bit of sport on the go! <\/p>\n\n

Puente de Viscaya \/ Bizkaya Bridge<\/h2>\n\n

Just outside Bilbao, there is a very unusual sight that you should definitely visit. The Puente de Biscay<\/strong> connects the two municipalities of Portugalete<\/strong> and Getxo<\/strong> and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong>. What makes it so special: Pedestrians, cyclists and even cars do not cross the estuary via the bridge itself, but by means of a floating ferry<\/strong> suspended from the bridge structure<\/strong>. The ferry is used by local residents as a normal means of transportation<\/strong>; a one-way ticket costs just 55 cents during the day. <\/p>\n\n

\"Bridge<\/figure>\n\n
\"Historic<\/figure>\n\n

You can also visit the bridge itself and take an elevator<\/strong> to the top; the entrance ticket for the bridge also includes a ferry ride. The Puente de Viscaya can be reached by metro from Bilbao city center. <\/p>\n\n

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Tip<\/strong>: Explore the rest of the pretty coastal town of Getxo<\/strong> too! From its promenade, you can also see what is now the port<\/strong> of Bilbao. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that all the port facilities in Bilbao itself have disappeared and no large ships operate there, the majority of Bilbao’s port is located in the municipalities of Santurtzi<\/strong> and Zierbena<\/strong>, which lie on the estuary. And it really is huge: the port of Bilbao is the largest in Spain.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Book a half-day tour to the Puente de Viscaya and Getxo here<\/a>*<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Artxanda<\/h2>\n\n

From the summit of Artxanda<\/strong>, you have a unique view of Bilbao and the surrounding green mountains. The quickest way up is by funicular<\/strong>, the Funicular de Artxanda. Bilbao’s local mountain is also popular with locals, especially at the weekend: there are various leisure activities for young and old, as well as the popular Txakoli<\/a> restaurant. <\/p>\n\n

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Gran V\u00eda<\/h2>\n\n

Gran V\u00eda is actually called Gran V\u00eda de Don Diego L\u00f3pez de Haro<\/strong> and is the main shopping street<\/strong> through the center of Bilbao. Over the course of one and a half kilometers, you will find stores from large chains such as Zara<\/strong> and Mango<\/strong> as well as two branches of the Spanish department store El Corte Ingl\u00e9s<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

Towards the old town, Gran V\u00eda becomes even busier, and in the side streets you will always find a few corners with smaller bars and restaurants, for example in the parallel Calle Ledesma<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

Iberdrola Tower<\/h2>\n\n

Whether the Iberodrola Tower<\/strong> is really worth seeing is debatable. In any case, the office building is Bilbao’s tallest skyscraper <\/strong>and therefore a good landmark<\/strong>. And with a bit of luck and the right time of day, the sunlight sparkles so beautifully in the reflective fa\u00e7ade that it makes a lovely photo motif. <\/p>\n\n

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More museums in Bilbao<\/h2>\n\n

If the Guggenheim Museum has whetted your appetite (or if the weather isn’t playing ball), you can also visit the following museums in Bilbao<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n

The Museo de Bellas Artes<\/a> may not be quite as spectacular as the Guggenheim, but it is still one of the most important museums in Spain<\/strong>. You will find a large collection of art<\/strong> here, ranging from the present day to the 12th century. The building is currently being renovated and expanded, and it sounds very promising what is being created here. <\/p>\n\n

If you want to find out more about Bilbao, the history of the port<\/strong> and its connection to seafaring, you should pay a visit to the Itsas Museum<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Staying overnight in Bilbao<\/h2>\n\n

There is a wide range of accommodation options in Bilbao – and there is something for every budget. Personally, I would recommend accommodation around the Gran V\u00eda<\/strong>, not in the old town, e.g. in the Abando<\/strong> district. Here you can easily get to all the important locations, do a bit of shopping and experience the life of the locals. <\/p>\n\n

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Although the old town is connected to the metro network with one station, it is otherwise a pedestrian zone<\/strong>. This means you may have to walk halfway through the old town with your luggage to your accommodation. The old town is also very lively in the evening if you prefer a quieter atmosphere. <\/p>\n\n

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I stayed at the Catalonia Gran V\u00eda*<\/a>, a comfortable boutique hotel<\/strong> in a great location<\/strong> (bus to the airport stops right outside the door) and with a really good breakfast buffet<\/strong> (I’m not normally a fan of this, but it’s really good here).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check availability and rates at the Catalonia Gran V\u00eda<\/a>*<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Click around in the map to find the best accommodations in Bilbao<\/h4>\n\n\n\n