What to do in Bilbao

Activities, attractions and tours

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

Bilbao Attractions

You're ready to set course in a new direction. Perpetually prepared for expanding your horizons and unique ways to get your kicks, you're eager to investigate new territory like the savvy traveller you are. Next stop: Bilbao! It's not hard to fill your time, because Expedia Canada can hook you up with lots of things to do. Reserve your activities now, and all you'll have left to do is count the days until your getaway and prepare to have fun.

  • The things to do in Bilbao are not only perfect for you, but they won't bust your budget. We have 181 things to do here, and you can reserve them starting at just CA $7 . Get your favourite adventures on Expedia Canada at an ideal price, and you'll still have enough cash for a dream hotel or fine dinner while you're travelling.
  • Bilbao is a favourite among inquisitive minds. In fact, many travellers have been visiting Bilbao to dive into local history and culture and explore the best things to do, and a good percentage of them can't wait to return. The top things to do can get the curiosity of even well-versed travellers, and it's easy to see why. Our list includes a wide range of historically based outings and excitement. With unequalled ways to see the best this area has to give like a Basque Coast Half-Day Tour and Day Trip to Biarritz, Hondarribia & San Sebastian, there is an abundance of active options at your fingertips when you glance through the best day trips here at Expedia Canada.

It takes a bit of planning to really get the most out of Bilbao, especially when you wish to pack in a lot of exciting activities. And we realize you're itching to explore every avenue—you're ready to get out and take it all in. You can hardly wait to check off the best activities around, and a quiet day exploring local neighbourhoods is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. Our activities are the perfect way to organize your holiday. Book professionally guided tours on Expedia Canada, and there will be no need to worry about looking at a map.


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Top places to visit

1. San Mames Stadium

Watch national and international soccer games at San Mames Stadium, a 53,000-seat arena that is the home of Athletic Bilbao. This team was founded in 1898 and is a big name in European soccer. The venue also has a museum devoted to the club’s history and is occasionally used for concerts.
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San Mames Stadium featuring a river or creek and modern architecture

2. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

The Guggenheim Museum is a remarkable ensemble of curves and daring forms covered in gleaming titanium panels. It helped to transform Bilbao from a grimy industrial heartland into an exciting cultural destination. Embark on a self-guided tour of this contemporary art museum to view its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.
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Guggenheim Museum Bilbao which includes a city and modern architecture

3. Plaza Nueva

Plaza Nueva is a mid 19th-century neoclassical square in the heart of Bilbao's old quarter. This vast plaza is framed by columns and arches and lined with inviting bars and restaurants. Such is its popularity that it is also known as the true agora, or public place of the old town. Enjoy the architecture and dine on local specialties.
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Plaza Nueva showing outdoor eating as well as a small group of people

4. Plaza Moyua

Plaza Moyua is a large public square in the central neighborhood of Abando, an attractive space with English- and French-style flower beds. Although a traffic circle, it is a popular meeting place that is also known as the Elliptical Square for its shape. The plaza was designed in the 1940s by architect Jose Luis Salinas and was rebuilt in 1997 following the construction of the city's metro system.
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Plaza Moyua which includes heritage architecture, flowers and a garden

5. Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall

The Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall is a vast multipurpose venue hosting conferences, meetings and shows, including the city's opera season. It is also the home of the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra. This stunning-looking modern building, which resembles a ship under construction, sits on the banks of the Nervión River on the site of the former Euskalduna shipyard. .
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Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall

6. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum

Take a journey through hundreds of years of art history when you visit the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. This prominent cultural institution is a treasure trove of more than 10,000 works from the 13th century to the present day. You’ll see paintings, sculptures, works on paper and more.
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Bilbao Fine Arts Museum featuring night scenes, a park and heritage architecture

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What to do in Bilbao


Discover the most popular places to visit in Bilbao

Explore areas of Bilbao

San Mames Stadium featuring a river or creek and modern architecture

Bilbao City Centre

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Plaza Moyua and Gran Casino Bilbao are top sights in Bilbao City Centre, and you should be sure to explore the fascinating museums. Hop aboard the metro at Moyua Station or Abando Station to see more sights in the area.

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

Bilbao Old Town

4.5/5(14 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 a sunset, modern architecture and street scenes

Abando

4.5/5(31 area reviews)

Abundant dining options, interesting museums and stunning 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
Bilbao, capital of Biscay, Basque Country, Spain,

Indautxu

If you're spending time in Indautxu, check out sights like Ensanche or Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall and hop on the metro to see more the city at Indautxu Station or Sabino Arana Tram Stop.

Indautxu
Bilbao

Casco Viejo

Discover the most colorful part of Bilbao, where you can explore historical churches like San Antón and San Nicolás, shop at Mercado de la Ribera, and enjoy local taverns. Easily accessible via Casco Viejo station and public elevators.

Casco Viejo
Plaza Nueva Panorámica

Ibaiondo

While you're in Ibaiondo, take in top sights like Bizkaia Frontoia or Ribera Market, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Atxuri Tram Station or Ribera Tram Stop.

Ibaiondo

 

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Day trip destinations from Bilbao

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?
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.

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