Bilbao’s famed historic old quarter, developed around its ‘seven streets’, is one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods
How to get to Casco Viejo
Metro: Get the metro to ‘Casco Viejo/Zazpikaleak’ and take the Unamuno exit, which will lead you out on to Plaza Unamuno.
Tram: Take Bilbao’s tram (tranvia) to either Arriaga or Ribera and make your way into the Old Town from there.
What is Casco Viejo?
The epicentre of Bilbao’s history, lose yourself in a maze of narrow streets flanked by medieval buildings and gothic cathedrals. Casco Viejo’s nucleus are the famed Seven Streets (Zazpikaleak), a series of parallel roads, the first four dating back to the 14th century, that run through the city’s ‘Old Town’.
Over the centuries Casco Viejo expanded beyond the confines of its now non-existent walls, gaining more streets and a plaza or two. This neighbourhood remains the heart of Bilbao. Now a pedestrian zone, it bustles with life as Bilbainos flock to its bars, restaurants and shops.
Below are some recommendations for places to stay, where to eat and things to do in Casco Viejo.
Accommodation in Casco Viejo
Staying in Casco Viejo is a great choice if you’re looking for a place that’s got a bit more hustle and bustle about it. You’ll have Bilbao city centre on your doorstep and, thanks to the Casco Viejo Euskotren Station and the Metro station, the neighbourhood is well connected if you want to explore the rest of the city and the rest of the Basque Country.
Here are a few accommodation options in the Old Town for different budgets:
Budget/Hostels – €100 a night and under
The prices of these hotels could vary depending upon availability and time of year. However, in terms of value for money, they’re some of the best places you could go for when on a budget.
- Ganbara Hostel – A famous Bilbao hostel located two-minutes away from Plaza Unamuno and the metro station.
- Casual Gurea – Part of the Casual hotel group, which offers cheap rooms all over Casco Viejo. Gurea is on Bidebarrieta Kalea, right next to Plaza Nueva.
- Letoh Letoh Bilbao – Attractive, modest hotel in the heart of the Old Town.
- BYPILLOW Bilbo – Not technically in Casco Viejo, but just a five-minute walk away in the Plaza del Gas. BYPILLOW have a few different spots across Bilbao.
- All Iron Hostel – Popular hostel in the Begoña neighbourhood, which is above Casco Viejo.
- Latroupe la Granja – A new, stylish hostel/budget hotel. Actually located in Abando, but just a five-minute walk from Casco Viejo on the other side of the Arenal Bridge. Took over site of an iconic cafe called La Granja,
Mid-range hotels – €100 to €200 a night
Similar to the budget hotels, the prices are subject to the normal fluctuations. Considering the quality of the places and the fantastic locations, these are brilliant options if you want to spoil yourself but not over indugle.
- Goien Boutique – Gorgeous hotel on Goienkale, one of the Old Town’s original seven streets.
- Tayko Hotel – Probably one of the best hotels in the city. Tayko renovated a building famous for being one of the first fully concrete structures in the Old Town. The in-house restaurant, La Bodega de Ola, has a Michelín star and is run by Basque superstar chef, Martin Berasategui
- NYX Hotel Bilbao – Another stylish, upmarket hotel available at a relatively reasonable price. Located on the edge of Casco Viejo, across the road from the Arriaga Theatre, you have the Old Town and Abando on your doorstep.
Luxury/five-star hotels – €200+ a night
There are just four five-star hotels in Bilbao, and only two of them are within easy walking distance of Casco Viejo.
Hotel Carlton – The most iconic Bilbao hotel, a symbol of luxury and elegance in the city since 1926. Located in Plaza Moyua, the very centre of Bilbao, about a 20-minute walk from Casco Viejo.
Radisson Collection Bilbao – Bilbao’s most recent five-star establishment. In 2022, Radisson took over a building previously occupied by a bank. It has a Basque-Japanese fusion restaurant called ‘Nko’ managed by the acclaimed Basque chef Eneko Atxa, which can be found on the seventh floor along with a rooftop bar.
Accommodation in all of Bilbao
Cultural activities in Casco Viejo
The ‘Old Town’ has two museums: the Basque Museum (which is currently closed due to extensive remodelling work) and the Archaelogical Museum.
The Basque Museum exhibits over 20,000 items which explore the history and evolution of Basque culture, with a particular focus on farming and fishing.
The Archaelogical Museum, opened in 2008, sits above Plaza Unamuno on the ‘Mallona Steps’. The two-storey building houses a range of items from the province of Biscay, some of which date back over 100,000 years.
Food & Drink in Casco Viejo
There’s an abundance of choice when it comes to places to dine and wine in Casco Viejo, and it all depends on what you’re looking for, but here are a few options:
Pintxos: There’s no shortage of great places to try pintxos in Casco Viejo. But we suggest checking out Plaza Nueva, the neighbourhood’s main square.
One of the areas most iconic spots is the award-winning Sorginzulo, which now has two bars in the square. In 2018, Sorginzulo was named the best pintxo bar in the Basque Country. It continues to dish up some of the most delicious pintxos in Bilbao and in February 2024 its mini burger won the award for the best burger pintxo in Casco Viejo.
Traditional Dining: If you’re looking for more of a ‘sit-down’ meal head to Berton, where you’ll find a wide and varied menu with some Basque classics. Try out their spectacular ‘txuleton a la brasa’, delicious steak which comes out on a special hot-plate grill.
Menu del día: Go to Barrenkale Barrena and pop into Iñakiren Taberna, a humble, no-thrills, but outstanding restaurant which serves one of the cheapest ‘menus del dia’ (set menus) in the city. The ‘falda de ternera en salsa’ (veal skirt steak in sauce) and Basque cheesecake are a must.
Nightlife in Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo nightlife consists of finding a decent bar, getting a beer, wine or cocktail and standing outside talking to your mates. The two go-to zones for this are Calle Somera and El Triangulo.
Calle Somera, a long narrow road full of bars, is one of Bilbao’s main spots for street drinking. It has a sort of grungy, progressive feel and for that reason is particularly popular among younger generations.
At the heart of Casco Viejo lies ‘El Triangulo’, a drinking spot where several of the neighbourhood’s streets dissect. Bilbainos love nothing more than to grab a beer in a nearby bar and pass the night talking to their friends outside in ‘The Triangle’.
Casco Viejo Guided Tours
One of the best ways to explore Casco Viejo and its history is to book a private tour with a local expert. They’ll show you the best pintxo spots and tell you all the Old Town’s wonderful stories and secrets. These are the most popular Old Town tours currently available on getyourguide.com
