What to do in Bilbao

Activities, attractions and tours

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao showing night scenes and modern architecture
Bilbao which includes a river or creek, a bridge and a high-rise building
Santiago Cathedral which includes heritage elements, interior views and a church or cathedral
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao featuring modern architecture, street scenes and a sunset
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao featuring interior views

Places to Visit in Bilbao

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Bilbao, Basque Country while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Bilbao attractions from NZ$9, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Bilbao tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 179 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Bilbao. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Recommended things to do in Bilbao

Number of things to do
179
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Bilbao Old Town Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: NZ$9
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Bilbao

Discover the most popular places to visit in Bilbao

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao featuring a city and modern architecture

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Investigate a vast collection of modern and contemporary art both inside and outside one of the most recognizable buildings in Bilbao.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
San Mames Stadium which includes modern architecture and a river or creek

San Mames Stadium

Join local soccer fans and shout your support for a well-known European team that calls this spectacular stadium its home.

San Mames Stadium
Plaza Nueva which includes outdoor eating as well as a small group of people

Plaza Nueva

Feast on an appetizing variety of local gourmet dishes while marveling at the architectural splendor of this popular city plaza.

Plaza Nueva
Plaza Moyua featuring heritage architecture, flowers and a park

Plaza Moyua

Take time out in this attractive city plaza and contemplate the beauty and majesty of the architecture of the surrounding historical buildings.

Plaza Moyua
Ribera Market which includes a city, a river or creek and heritage architecture

Ribera Market

Bring your shopping bags for three floors of market stalls at this centuries-old fresh produce market in the city’s historical quarter.

Ribera Market
Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall

Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall

Attend a conference, concert or dramatic performance, go on a guided tour and browse an eclectic collection of art at this riverside venue.

Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall
University of Deusto Bilbao

University of Deusto Bilbao

Explore the campus of University of Deusto Bilbao as part of your travels around Bilbao. Discover the fascinating museums and shops in this walkable area.

University of Deusto Bilbao
Bilbao Fine Arts Museum featuring a park, heritage architecture and night scenes

Bilbao Fine Arts Museum

Spend hours wandering through the exhibition halls of this grand institution that is filled with works of art that span several hundred years.

Bilbao Fine Arts Museum
Bilbao City Hall which includes street scenes, a city and modern architecture

Bilbao City Hall

Tour the interior and exterior of an architectural gem, an important government building that lies close to Bilbao's old town.

Bilbao City Hall

Explore areas of Bilbao

San Mames Stadium which includes modern architecture and a river or creek

Bilbao City Centre

4/5(2 area reviews)

Bilbao City Centre is highly notable for its fascinating museums, and you might want to visit top sights like Plaza Moyua and Gran Casino Bilbao. See more of Bilbao by jumping on the metro at Moyua Station or Abando Station.

Bilbao City Centre
Ribera Market showing interior views, food and a bar

Bilbao Old Town

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

Discover characterful bars, historic architecture, colorful independent stores and much more amid the largely pedestrianized streets of Bilbao’s atmospheric heart.

Bilbao Old Town
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao featuring modern architecture, street scenes and a sunset

Abando

4.5/5(22 area reviews)

Ample dining options, fascinating museums, and beautiful river views are just a few top things to explore in Abando. A visit to Plaza Moyua or Ensanche might round out your trip, and you can jump aboard the metro at Moyua Station or Indautxu Station to get around town.

Abando
Plaza Moyua showing a fountain, a garden and flowers

Indautxu

While you're in Indautxu, take in top sights like Ensanche or Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Indautxu Station or Sabino Arana Tram Stop.

Indautxu
Plaza Nueva which includes outdoor eating as well as a small group of people

Casco Viejo

Museums, theatres and historical sites highlight some notable features of Casco Viejo. Make a stop by Plaza Nueva or Museum of Archaeology Bizkaya while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Casco Viejo Station or Arriga Tram Stop to get around town.

Casco Viejo
Bilbao which includes modern architecture, a city and night scenes

Ibaiondo

If you're spending time in Ibaiondo, check out sights like Ribera Market or Plaza Miguel de Unamuno and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Atxuri Tram Station or Ribera Tram Stop.

Ibaiondo

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Bilbao

Photo by Freddie Hoff

Derio

Portugalete

Portugalete

Photo "Barakaldo" by Fernando Vázquez (CC BY) / Cropped from original
Photo by Fernando Vázquez (CC BY)

Barakaldo

Photo by Caminante

Castro Urdiales

Plencia

Plencia

Photo "Loiu" by Javierme (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Javierme (CC BY-SA)

Loiu

Photo by Freddie Hoff

Getxo

Photo "Erandio" by Tim Tregenza (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Tim Tregenza (CC BY-SA)

Erandio

Frequently asked questions

Is Bilbao worth visiting?
Renowned for its festivals and dining, discovering awesome things to do in Bilbao is easy. Make sure to add Castle of Butron to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Bilbao?
Castle of Butron and Playa de las Arenas are two excellent places to kick-start your getaway adventures. Remember to check out the dining and shopping options in Bilbao while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Bilbao?
The top tourist attraction in Bilbao is Castle of Butron, so be sure to put it on your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Bilbao?
You can easily enjoy top sights like Palacio de la Diputación Foral de Vizcaya, Museum of Passages of Bilbao and Reproductions Museum Bilbao with a three-day break in Bilbao. On average, many travellers book three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a while longer and venture to Derio.
Is Bilbao a walkable city?
That depends on what you'd like to do and see in Bilbao. Several top attractions, including Palacio de la Diputación Foral de Vizcaya and Museum of Passages of Bilbao, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a stroll around some of Bilbao's neighbourhoods, Bilbao City Centre is 0.48 kilometres away from downtown, while Abando is 0.64 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Bilbao with kids?
If you're looking for activities and sights for all the family, we've got some terrific ideas for what to do in Bilbao with kids.

What to do in Bilbao for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Bilbao, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Museo de la Mineria del Pais Vasco.
Are there free things to do in Bilbao?
In Bilbao, Funicular de Artxanda is a popular spot for anyone wishing to see the city without taking their wallet out. Also, stroll around the parks and other neighbourhoods, and ask for tips from a local tour guide. It's a great way to discover the best free things to do in Bilbao.