An insider’s guide to the perfect weekend in Bilbao. The best bars, restaurants, must-see spots and unknown gems.
Transport
Bilbao is very pedestrian friendly and you can easily walk from one end of the city to the other in 40 minutes (for example from Casco Viejo to San Mames).
Nevertheless, public transport in Bilbao is clean, efficient and comfortable. So, if you would rather not walk around, don’t be afraid to get yourself a Barik card and hop on the metro or on a bus.
Here’s our specific guide on navigating the city’s different forms of public transport.
Accommodation
Bilbao’s compact size means as long as you stay central it’s not hard to get around the city either on foot or with public transport.
Whether you want more luxury, quality hostels or something in between, Bilbao has got you covered. Take a look at the guides linked here to find the perfect place to stay.
Booking.com getaway deals
Booking.com are offering 15% off on stays across a range of Bilbao hotels when booked before the end of September 2026.
Hit the button below to take a look at which hotels are offering getaway discounts.
Weather
If you visit Bilbao in the winter be prepared for rain. If you visit Bilbao in the summer… be prepared for rain!
Although there is far, far less rain in summer compared to winter, those summer storms come in hard and fast. It’s best not be caught unaware.
Read all our tips on dealing with Bilbao’s infamous wet weather.
If you’re in Bilbao for just one day, take a look at our 24 hour guide for visitors.
Friday
Afternoon/evening
Once you’ve arrived to your hotel and settled in, head to Calle Ledesma (metro stop Abando, exit Berasategui) and get your first taste of pintxos (the iconic tapas you’ll see in every bar in Bilbao).
A long, narrow pedestrian road that runs parallel to Bilbao’s Gran Via (Main Street), Ledesma is full of bars and restaurants where you can sample local or more international cuisine.
Our advice is to copy the locals. Start at the bottom of the street and ‘crawl’ your way up, getting a beer and a pintxo in each stop.
Read this post for more in-depth tips for bars and restaurants on Calle Ledesma.
Saturday
Morning
No trip to Bilbao is complete without visiting the picturesque Casco Viejo (Old Town) and its Seven Streets (Zazpikaleak). Lose yourself in a maze of narrow streets lined with stunning medieval buildings.
For breakfast, get a bit of tortilla de patata (Spanish omelette) and a coffee while doing a spot of people watching in Plaza Nueva.
Here’s more advice about things to do in Casco Viejo.
Take a tour with a local to discover more about the Old Town’s history, charm and secrets.
Afternoon
Head out of Casco Viejo, walk past the stunning City Council building and stroll along the river on Campo Volantin until you get to the Artxanda Funicular.
This funicular train will take you on three-minute journey up into the hills flanking the city on the east. The views up there are unrivalled. Legend says that is it from Artxanda that Frank Gehry decided upon the location for his Guggenheim Museum… which is perfect because that’s where you’re going next.
Once you’re done in Artxanda come back down and cross the Nervión at the Puente Zubizuri. Follow the river up towards the Puente La Salve until you see Gehry’s masterpiece. Stroll around, walk under Louise Bourgeois’ incredible spider sculpture and take in the museum’s stunning façade.
After crossing the small footbridge in front of the museum, you’ll have to walk up some awkward steps, where ‘Puppy’ and the entrance await at the top.
Click the link to learn more about the museum, what’s inside and why it was so vital to Bilbao’s post-industrial regeneration.
There are lots of great spots to grab some lunch in the nearby Abando neighbourhood. In addition to traditional Basque bars and eateries, Calle Henao and Calle Ajuriagerra host some of the city’s best international restaurants such as Grecocina, Kimtxu and Casa Leotta.
Unknown gem: One of our favourite places for lunch in Abando is the recently opened Clandestino Taproom. They offer delicious, innovative, high-end food at a reasonable price. For example, you can get a ‘menú del día’ (daily set-menu), a classic Bilbao lunch option, for €25.
Evening
After lunch we suggest going to see Alhóndiga/Azkuna Zentroa, an old wine and grain warehouse which has been converted into a civic centre.
Transformed by French designer Phillipe Starck, the structure has three interior buildings propped up on 43 swirling columns which represent different civilisations of human history.
Azkuna Zentroa also has a two bars, a restaurant, a cinema, a shop, art exhibitions and an indoor gym where you can see the bottom of the swimming pool from the ground floor.
Find out more about what you can do and see at Azkuna Zentroa.
Our next plan depends a bit on your interests and when you’re visiting. If you’re a sports fan, you MUST attend an Athletic Club fixture at San Mames.
Check out our guide on how to get ticket for a match at The Cathedral.
No other city in Europe, arguably the world, has the same connection with its football club like Bilbao, and the atmosphere at San Mames truly is “Unique In The World”.
Check Athletic Club’s website for kick-off times and ticket availability.
If football isn’t your bag, no worries at all, there are plenty more things to do on an evening out in Bilbao.
We recommend going to Diputación, the small square behind Diputación Foral (the headquarters of Biscay’s provincial government). The ‘Diputación’ exit at the Moyua metro stop takes you right to the middle of the square.
Whether you want to eat more pintxos or have a sit-down meal, Diputación has some lovely places such as El Globo, Restaurante Zurekin and La Viña del Ensanche. If you want to have a proper meal, you should try to book a table ahead of time.
Local tip: Skip dessert at the restaurant and go to Heladeria Alaska instead. It’s just behind Diputación and has a reputation for serving the best ice-cream in Bilbao. You can thanks us later!
Sunday
Morning/afternoon
Our suggestion for Sunday morning depends on what time your flight leaves. If you’ve got a bit more time to spend, take the metro out to the coastal town of Getxo and check out the iconic Puente Bizkaia, the world’s oldest transporter bridge. To see the bridge you’ll have to get off at the Areta metro stop.
If you’re a bit more pressed for time and don’t want to leave Bilbao’s city centre, cross over into the neighbourhood of Deusto.
The neighbourhood, which was a separate town until being annexed by Bilbao in 1924, has a slightly different vibe compared to Bilbao, while its residents, Deustoarras, are famed for their sense of pride in being from Deusto.
Like most of Bilbao, Deusto has loads of bars and cafés to sample amazing pintxos. If you’re looking for a place for breakfast, try some rabas (deep-fried, battered calamari) at Dena Ona.
One of Deusto’s unknown gems is a small patisserie called ‘California Deusto’. They sell a range of Bilbao’s favourite sweet goods and are particularly famous for their King’s Day Roscon, a traditional cake eaten on January 6th.
WIFI and mobile data in Bilbao
Bilbao has an extensive free wifi service, available in over 200 hotspots scattered across the city, even on the metro. However, the connection can be quite unreliable at times.
If you’re coming from another EU country, you should be able use your existing mobile data plan. Just check to see if your service provider has any ‘fair usage’ limits before hand.
For those visiting from the UK, check to see if you’re provider offers ‘free EU roaming’. If not, look into buying a pre-paid sim or an e-sim as you could generate some hefty bills otherwise.
Anyone visiting from outside the EU will need to purchase a sim card or e-sim if they need to use mobile data whilst in Bilbao. Popular companies include Euskaltel, Yoigo, Lowi, Movistar and Orange. You’ll be able to buy a pre-paid sim at one of their shops, but you’ll need to take a passport with you.
We recommend buying an e-sim before travelling. Airalo offers a range of packages and plans for different needs and requirements.
*Before purchasing anything, e-sim or physical sim, make sure it’s compatible with your phone model.
See Airalo’s list of supported devices if you have any doubts.
