Bilbao Travelers Recommend

Three days in Bilbao give you plenty of time to get to grips with the city’s art, architecture, and food, and explore the villages and landscapes of the surrounding Basque Country. Here’s how to make the most of 72 hours in Bilbao.

Day 1: Take in the Highlights

If you’re an art lover, make a beeline for the Guggenheim in the morning to beat the crowds. While you can explore the gallery independently, visiting with a private guide allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the contemporary art exhibits inside the Gehry-designed building, as well as surrounding attractions such as Jeff Koons’ Puppy sculpture. Otherwise, starting your day on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus lets you get your bearings and pinpoint places you’d like to visit later in the day.

In the afternoon, visit the Fine Arts Museum or take a walking (or running) tour of the city, which typically include stops at Casco Viejo and Abandoibarra. Meanwhile, food lovers shouldn’t miss the chance to get to grips with Bilbao’s pintxos scene during a food tour that includes a market visit and wine tasting session.

Day 2: Branch into Basque Country

Use your second day to escape the city. If you’re a GOT fan, take a half- or full-day Game of Thrones excursion, most of which stop by Dragonstone aka San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Meanwhile, non-Game of Thrones fans can opt for trips along the Basque Coast: tours sometimes incorporate border crossings into French Basque Country and stop in Getaria.

If you’re a food and wine lover, dedicate day two to exploring La Rioja region on a tour that comes complete with wine tastings and vineyard visits, or venture to San Sebastián to take part in a specialized wine or gastronomic excursion.

Day 3: Relax in Bilbao

On your final day in Bilbao, take it easy with some shopping, strolling, and panoramic views. In the morning, cross the Zubizuri Bridge and ride the Artxanda Funicular to Artxanda Mountain to enjoy sweeping city views. Then, enjoy a spot of shopping along Gran Vía.

Once back in the center, kayak down the Bilbao estuary or take the opportunity to stop by any galleries, museums, or attractions you didn’t manage to squeeze into your first day’s itinerary. To round out the afternoon, swap your kayak for a cruise along the river and get a new perspective on the city before spending your final evening in Bilbao out for dinner. Dishes such as txangurro (spider crab) are typical of the region.

Modernity and tradition come together in Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country. With two days to explore, you can sample the best of the compact city’s art, cuisine, and culture, and venture to the countryside. Here’s how.

Day 1: Best of Bilbao

Morning: Rise early and arrive at the Guggenheim art museum before the crowds do. As one of the city’s most iconic buildings, it’s a must-see for first-time visitors. Explore as part of a private or small-group tour to discover context that’s crucial to understanding the modern art inside.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon sampling pintxos (Basque tapas) on a food tour of Bilbao— which typically include wine and a market visit—or try your hand at making your own tapas during a cooking class. If you’d rather tick off more sights in less time, opt for a hop-on hop-off bus tour.

Night: Enjoy the twinkling lights, after-dark views, and local hangouts of Bilbao on an evening tour that stops at Puente Zubizuri and Plaza Unamuno. Then, dine out and try classic Basque dishes such as bacalao a la Vizcaína (cod in a red pepper and onion sauce) or txangurro (spider crab). Finish with a show at the Euskalduna Palace.

Day 2: Discover the Basque Country

Morning: Wake early on day two for a full-day excursion outside of the city limits. Wine lovers won’t want to miss the chance to visit vineyards and sample wines in La Rioja region, while gastronomes can visit the town of San Sebastián, home to several Michelin-starred restaurants.

Afternoon: If you prefer culture to cuisine, opt instead for a Game of Thrones-themed day trip into the Basque Country; a half-day visit to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (Dragonstone); or a day trip to Añana Salt Valley and the Basque Country capital, Vitoria.

Night: Back in the city, branch out of the Old Quarter and head to the New Town. There, you’ll find some of Bilbao’s best bars and clubs, which prove perfect for a celebratory final night. If you’d rather take it easy, ride the Artxanda Funicular to Artxanda Mountain and enjoy views over Bilbao from above.

Bilbao may be the largest city in both the Basque Country and northern Spain, but you can still experience its art, architecture, and cuisine in just one day. Here’s how to make the most of 24 hours in Bilbao.

Morning: Visit the Guggenheim

Dedicate your first morning to the Guggenheim, Bilbao’s most famous museum, which is best-known for its Frank Gehry architecture and vast collection of modern art. Beat the crowds by arriving early, and opt for a private or small-group tour to tick off Guggenheim highlights in limited time.

Once you’re done, grab a coffee, enjoy views over the estuary, wander the neighboring República de Abando Park, and snap a photo with Jeff Koons’ Puppy sculpture. Meanwhile, art lovers can explore at the Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao).

Afternoon: Food Fiesta

Spend the afternoon delving into the coveted cuisine of the Basque Country. Food lovers can sample the best of Bilbao’s pintxos (Basque tapas) on a food tour. Some focus entirely on the tapas available in the Old Quarter, while others include wine tasting and a market visit. Alternatively, you can learn to make your own pintxos during a cooking class.

Or, learn more about local history and culture on a walking, running, or boat tour. To explore at your own pace and visit only the attractions that capture your attention, opt for a convenient hop-on hop-off bus service.

Night: Dinner and Drinks

Treat yourself to an extravagant dinner and drinks on your first and final evening in Bilbao. Many of the city’s top restaurants can be found in the Old Quarter, so stroll around until you find an eatery that appeals to you. Must-try dishes include txangurro (spider crab), bacalao pil-pil (fried cod), or bacalao a la Vizcaína (cod in a red pepper and onion sauce).

Round out the evening with some music. The Euskalduna Palace is home to the Basque Symphony Orchestra, while Bilbao as a whole is replete with live music venues to suit most musical tastes.

Bilbao—the biggest, buzziest, and most cosmopolitan city in Spain’s Basque Country—hosts an assortment of well-stocked markets. From bazaars piled high with antiques and knickknacks to vast food markets where locals get their groceries, here are a few of the best places to shop in Bilbao. 

Plaza Nueva

Every Sunday, Plaza Nueva in Bilbao’s Old Quarter (Casco Viejo) rings with the din of bartering as treasure hunters trawl the stalls searching for collectibles and other items of value. The offerings at this flea market are diverse: On any given week, you might see used books, vintage jewelry, rare coins, and even live birds. It’s a must-do for anyone who enjoys sifting for bargains. The market is at its biggest and best during summer. 

La Ribera Market (Mercado de la Ribera)

The mother of all Bilbao’s markets and one of Europe’s most famous, this huge indoor market spans three floors and hosts over 180 stands selling all manner of edible goods, from just-plucked-from-the-soil vegetables and fresh-caught fish to cured meats and cheeses. Best of all, the ground floor has a food court where visitors can stuff themselves silly with pintxos (Basque tapas), including crispy, creamy croquettes and slices of bread topped with meat and cheese. 

St. Thomas’ Day Market (Mercado Rural de Santo Tomas)

This annual open-air festive market takes place in late December on Plaza del Arenal and Plaza Nueva. More than 260 sellers truck in produce from all over the Basque Country, with everything from vegetables and bread to talo con chorizo (corn tortilla with sausage) and txakoli (a lightly sparkling white wine) on offer. 

Flower Market (Mercado de las Flores)

Taking place every Sunday in the old town’s Arenal Park, this fabulous flower market is one of the most colorful in the city. In addition to flowers, vendors also hawk houseplants, fresh herbs, and seeds. Even if you don’t plan on purchasing anything, it’s worth coming just to admire the displays.