Bilbao Tourism And Travel Guide

The largest city in the Basque region, Bilbao continues to grow in stature, with tourists flocking all year round to enjoy this gem of a city. Astounding structural design, a world-class food scene and spectacular natural landscapes are what primarily characterize this city. The best time for tourism here is from mid-June to mid-September owing to the sunny skies, cool weather and reduced rainfall levels. This makes it perfect weather for exploring the city. Bilbao is easily reachable via road, rail and air. The transportation facilities are highly efficient, making inter-city travel a piece of cake.

Read the travel guide below to check out more fun facts on this incredible city - Bilbao.

By Air:

This is the best way to reach for internatonal visitors. The Bilbao International Airport is the closest to the city, only 12 km away.

By Road:

This is the most convenient way to reach for visitors travelling locally to Bilbao. Visitors can catch a bus to and from the Termibus Bus Station which is the main place for road travel in the city. 

By Rail:

Bilbao-Abando Station is the closest to the heart of the city. Trains provide a good alternative to road travel but the journey might take slightly longer. 

Winter Season (December - February):

This season enjoys decent weather with no snowfall and periodic light showers. Temperatures remain in the single digit range but can drop lower on occassion. 

Spring Season (March - May):

Not an ideal time for travel to Bilbao, this season brings with it increased humidity levels and showers that tend to hamper outdoor exploration.

Summer Season (June - September):

This is the best period to visit Bilbao owing to the well-balanced temperatures. Unlike other parts of Spain, summers are relatively cooler and rainfall levels reduce significantly. 

Autumn Season (September - November):

Another one of the most popular times for tourist travel, this season still enjoys the warmth and sunshine of the summer and then eventually progresses to a colder climate as we reach November.

Visit the Guggenheim Museum:

A Frank Gehry masterpiece, exploring this stunning museum is the best thing to do in the city.

Explore the Pintxos Bars:

Enjoying the local Pintxos cuisine is a must-do activity for food lovers. Small portions of bread are served with meat, seafood or vegetables.

Wander Around Casco Viejo:

Exploring Bilbao’s Old Town makes for a great way to spend the day. The area is littered with famous historic monuments, cafes and bars.

Visit the Museo Bellas Artes:

A dream for art lovers, the Fine Arts Museum hosts some of the finest artworks from some of history’s most celebrated painters and sculptors.

The Basque region is famous for its rich and diverse food heritage, with Bilbao being a shining example of the same. The city is home to a whopping 5 Michelin-starred restaurants, not to mention the stunning Pintxos Bars serving bite sized delicacies. Small pieces of bread decked with locally sourced seafood, meat or vegetables along with a glass of wine is the way to enjoy the Pintxos cuisine. These dishes are the Basque equivalent of Tapas. Additionally, the La Ribera marketplace is home to some of the best produce in the country and is a great place to enjoy a meal. All in all, the food scene here caters to all budgets and palettes.

Like most major Spanish cities, Bilbao offers visitors a fantastic blend of international and local brands, shopping malls and boutique stores. The Old Town is a great place for visitors to enjoy sourcing local handicrafts and souvenirs to take back home. The Recuerda Bilbao store is another tourist favourite for small trinkets and handcrafted items. La Ribera is the go-to spot for food items and fresh produce. Nukak Bilbao is a popular place for jewellery and accessories. Visitors will have a blast shopping in this city.