Bilbao
Plan Bilbao with Haqqi Tours: day tours, private airport transfers, attraction tickets and packages, run by our own team and confirmed on WhatsApp in Arabic or English.
You step out of your hotel in Bilbao and the air smells faintly of rain, river and grilled food. A silver ripple of titanium glints beside the Nervión, a red arch of steel crosses the water, and elderly neighbours chat on café terraces as if nothing at all had changed. The city feels green, confident and wonderfully unhurried, with hills rising close on every side.
Nothing matches those filters yet. Widen your search or message us on WhatsApp.
Bilbao Day Tours
View all 
Bilbao Attraction Tickets
View all
Bilbao Airport Transfers
View all Bilbao Flight Tickets
View all
Bilbao Train Tickets
View all
Bilbao Ferry Tickets
View all
Bilbao at first sight
Bilbao is the capital of Spain's Basque Country, a former iron-and-shipping city that reinvented itself around art, architecture and food. Its Guggenheim Museum is a global landmark, yet the old town, the riverside promenades and the pintxo taverns are just as memorable. Beyond the city lie rugged coastline, fishing villages and the sea cliffs of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, making Bilbao a fascinating base for northern Spain.
Why include Bilbao in your itinerary?
- The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao transformed the city and still astonishes: a sculpture of curving titanium, glass and limestone, filled with modern art, and surrounded by Jeff Koons's giant floral puppy and Louise Bourgeois's spider.
- Basque cuisine is among the most celebrated in the world. In Bilbao, it is served in friendly taverns as pintxos, small plates topped with fish, peppers, cheese and ham, and in markets, cider houses and some of Spain's best restaurants.
- The setting is superb. Green mountains, the estuary, beaches such as Getxo and Sopelana, medieval villages and the coast near Gaztelugatxe lie within a short drive, so culture and landscape fit into the same trip.
Signature experiences in Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Frank Gehry's building rewards slow circling before you even step inside: ripples of titanium catch the weather, the river reflects its curves, and the great spider, Maman, stands guard. Inside, the Atrium and galleries hold major contemporary works. Entry can be busy at peak times, so we issue tickets in advance and can add a guide who explains the architecture and key pieces, saving time and confusion.
Pintxos in the Casco Viejo
The old town's Siete Calles, the seven original streets, are where Bilbao eats best. Move from one tavern to the next and sample a pintxo at each: a skewer of anchovy and pepper, a crisp croqueta, or a slice of cured ham, all with fresh bread. Our local partners can steer you to the family places that locals love, and our team can book a table or point you to a quality standing counter for your evening.
The Old Town and Riverside Stroll
The Casco Viejo is a tidy web of medieval lanes around the Gothic Santiago Cathedral and the lively Plaza Nueva. Cross the river by the white Zubizuri footbridge to follow the Nervión promenade past the Azkuna Zentroa cultural centre and the Mercado de la Ribera, one of Europe's largest covered food markets. It is a rewarding half-day on foot, with a private car on standby when you tire.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and the Basque Coast
A short drive from the city, a stone causeway leads to the little hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, perched on a rocky islet above the wild Bay of Biscay. Nearby lie the fishing villages of Bermeo and Mundaka, the oak forest of Oma and the town of Gernika. The route needs careful timing, so our guided day tour or private car with driver arranged by our team keeps the day smooth.
Getxo, Portugalete and the Vizcaya Bridge
The Vizcaya Bridge, a UNESCO-listed transporter bridge from 1893, carries passengers across the estuary on a suspended gondola, a unique ride at the mouth of the Nervión. Beyond it, the elegant seaside district of Getxo offers promenades, mansions and sandy beaches. This is a gentle half-day that pairs well with the city, easily reached by metro or by a private car with driver.
Neighbourhoods and quarters to know in Bilbao
Casco Viejo (Old Town)
The historic centre, with the seven original streets, the cathedral, tavern-lined lanes and lively squares. It is atmospheric, walkable and very safe, with plenty of life in the evenings and small family hotels tucked into the lanes. It is the best base for first-time visitors, close to the river, the metro and the market.
Abando and the Ensanche
The elegant nineteenth-century grid around Plaza Moyúa and Gran Vía, with boutiques, hotels, cafés and the Museo de Bellas Artes close by. It is polished, central and well connected, with good transport links to the airport shuttle and train stations. It suits travellers who value comfort and shopping, with the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Doña Casilda park a short stroll away.
Abandoibarra and the Guggenheim
The modern riverside district around the Guggenheim, with parks, university buildings, the Euskalduna Palace and the Zubizuri bridge. It is quiet, spacious and safe, with striking contemporary architecture and river walks. It is ideal for travellers who want views and a calm base within a short walk of the old town.
Deusto
A residential and student district across the river, with a leafy campus, local bakeries, neighbourhood taverns and a relaxed everyday rhythm. It is calm, authentic and well connected by tram and bridge to the centre. It suits travellers who prefer a local feel and a quieter, practical stay, with the old town only a short tram or bridge crossing away.
How long to stay in Bilbao and how to pair it
Recommended stay
Plan two to three nights in Bilbao for a satisfying visit: one day for the Guggenheim and the Ensanche, one for the old town and pintxos, and one for the coast or a day trip such as Gaztelugatxe, Gernika or San Sebastián. With extra time, add the Rioja countryside or the Cantabrian coast to your plan.
How to pair it
Bilbao pairs beautifully with San Sebastián, about an hour away, and with Madrid and Barcelona for a northern-meets-capital contrast. In a seven-day loop, combine it with Madrid and Seville by train and air. For ten days, add Barcelona and Valencia. For fourteen, extend to Mallorca, Ibiza or the Canary Islands, with our team arranging train tickets, flights and private transfers.
Best time to visit Bilbao and the rhythm of the day
Best months
Bilbao is greenest and mildest from late spring to early autumn, with May to September offering the best chance of dry, warm days. The Basque climate is Atlantic, so rain can appear in any month, which keeps the hills lush. Autumn is lovely for food, and winter is cool, damp and quiet, with fewer visitors and a cosy tavern atmosphere.
The daily rhythm
Mornings start with coffee and a pastry, followed by museums, markets and the riverside while the city wakes slowly. Lunch is substantial and often late, then a quiet pause. Early evening is for the potea, the Basque custom of strolling from tavern to tavern for pintxos, and dinner, when taken, begins after nine.
On-the-ground logistics in Bilbao
Arrival
Bilbao airport, at Loiu, is around twenty minutes by road from the centre, with an airport shuttle bus and taxis. High-speed and regional trains arrive at Abando station in the heart of the city. Our private airport transfer meets you at arrivals and brings you directly to your hotel, leaving you free to enjoy the first evening.
Getting around
The centre is compact and very walkable, with the old town, Ensanche and Guggenheim all within about twenty minutes on foot. The metro, tram and buses are efficient, and licensed taxis and ride-hailing apps are plentiful. For Gaztelugatxe and the coast, a private car with driver arranged by our team is far more practical than public transport.
Local etiquette tip
In pintxo taverns, tradition is to take small bites and keep moving, ordering a drink or coffee and paying at the end by counting your skewers or telling the staff what you had. Do not be surprised by late meal times: lunch after two, dinner after nine. Dress is smart casual, and a light waterproof jacket is wise.
Must-do things in Bilbao
- Explore Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum and the sculptures around it.
- Follow the pintxo trail through the Siete Calles in the old town.
- Visit the Mercado de la Ribera, one of Europe's biggest covered markets.
- Cross the Zubizuri footbridge and stroll the Nervión riverside.
- See the Gothic Santiago Cathedral and Plaza Nueva.
- Ride the Vizcaya Bridge across the estuary at Portugalete.
- Visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the hermitage on a rocky islet.
- Ride the Artxanda funicular for panoramic views over the city.
- Spend an afternoon on the seafront of Getxo.
- Take a day trip to San Sebastián or Gernika.
Do’s and don’ts in Bilbao
Do
- Book Guggenheim tickets in advance, especially in summer.
- Visit pintxo taverns in the early evening to enjoy the best choice.
- Carry a light waterproof jacket in every season.
- Reserve timed access for Gaztelugatxe well ahead of your visit.
- Ask our team to arrange private transfers for coast and village trips.
Don’t
- Do not expect restaurants to serve dinner before about half past eight.
- Do not plan Gaztelugatxe without checking the weather and sea conditions.
- Do not skip the old town's side streets, where the best taverns hide.
- Do not leave bags unattended in crowded tavern streets.
- Do not treat pintxos as a single dish; sample several places.
Bilbao at a glance
Plan Bilbao with Haqqi Tours
Every option is confirmed by our team on WhatsApp before you pay, and delivered by our own people or by trusted local partners we work with in every city. Because we send travellers from all over the world, our partners give us special rates and priority, so you always receive the best. Prices are per person unless marked per vehicle.
About Haqqi Tours: About us Contact us Legal NoticePrivacy PolicyCookies & Marketing PreferencesTerms & ConditionsBooking, Payment & Refunds
More services in Bilbao
Where we operate in Spain
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask most about Bilbao.
Where should first-time visitors stay in Bilbao?
The Casco Viejo is the best base for first-time visitors, with pintxo taverns, the cathedral and the river within a few minutes' walk. Abando and the Ensanche suit travellers who prefer polished hotels and shopping, while the Guggenheim area offers views and calm. Our team can recommend the right fit.
Can Bilbao be done as a day trip, or does it need an overnight stay?
Bilbao can be visited as a day trip from San Sebastián or Vitoria, covering the Guggenheim and the old town, but an overnight stay is far better. It lets you enjoy the evening pintxo tradition and still leave time for the coast, the Vizcaya Bridge or Gaztelugatxe.
What is the dress code and etiquette in Bilbao?
Bilbao is smart casual and relaxed, with comfortable shoes and a light waterproof jacket the most useful items. Cover shoulders and knees in churches. In pintxo taverns, order a little at a time, stay for a while and move on, and note that meals are late, with lunch after two and dinner after nine.
Is Bilbao tourist friendly?
Yes. Bilbao welcomes visitors from around the world, with clear signage, English spoken at the Guggenheim and hotels, an efficient metro and a compact centre. The Basque hospitality is warm, and our team can arrange tickets, guides and transfers so the practical details are settled before you travel.
Is it safe to travel to Bilbao now?
Bilbao is generally regarded as one of Spain's calmer and safer large cities, with the main concern being petty theft in crowded places. We do not comment on current events, so please check the official travel advice of your own government before departure, and keep our WhatsApp line handy during your trip.
What are the must-do things in Bilbao?
Visit the Guggenheim Museum, follow the pintxo trail in the Siete Calles, explore the Mercado de la Ribera, cross the Vizcaya Bridge and, if the weather allows, see San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Our tickets, guided day tours and private car with driver make it easy to combine the city and the coast.
How many days do you need in Bilbao?
Two to three days let you see the Guggenheim, the old town and one coastal excursion at a comfortable pace. With four days you can add San Sebastián and Gernika. Many travellers combine Bilbao with a Basque Country itinerary, pairing it with the coast and the nearby hills.
What can I book in Bilbao with Haqqi Tours?
Day tours, attraction tickets, private airport transfers, flight tickets, train tickets and ferry tickets, including Guggenheim Museum Small-Group Guided Tour with Entry Bilbao, Bilbao City Boat Tour or Cruise to Portugalete and San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka and Gernika Tour Bilbao. Each has its own page, and the WhatsApp desk combines any of them into one plan with one written price.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Bilbao?
Bilbao Airport (BIO) lies at Loiu, about 12 km north of the city centre, about 40 km from Guernica, about 110 km from San Sebastián and about 105 km from Santander. Our private transfer meets you at arrivals with a name board, tracks your flight and takes you door to door at a fixed price for the whole vehicle; the transfer pages list every route.
Is there public transport from the airport to Bilbao?
The airport bus runs to the city centre in about 30 minutes and a taxi takes about 20, so for the city itself public transport is cheap and easy; a private car is the practical choice for a family with luggage, a late arrival, or when the destination is outside the city, such as Gaztelugatxe, Guernica, the Rioja Alavesa or San Sebastián, where trains and buses are slow or infrequent. With luggage, a family or a late flight, the private car is the simpler choice.
Which tours are available in Bilbao?
Among them: Guggenheim Museum Small-Group Guided Tour with Entry Bilbao, Bilbao City Boat Tour or Cruise to Portugalete, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka and Gernika Tour Bilbao, San Sebastián, Hondarribia and Hendaye Day Trip Bilbao and Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and San Sebastián Tour Bilbao. Each page says whether the day is private or small-group, what it includes and how long it lasts.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Both exist, and each tour page says which. A private tour has a vehicle and guide for your party alone; the desk can make most group tours private on request.
How do I book?
Fill in the form on any page or message us on WhatsApp with the date, the number of travellers and the hotel. A member of our team confirms the price and the details in writing within minutes.
Are the prices fixed?
Yes - every price is agreed in writing on WhatsApp before you travel and does not change on the day.
Do the drivers and guides speak Arabic or English?
It depends on the city and the day, so we do not promise a particular language; tell us your preference and we do our best. The WhatsApp desk always works in Arabic and English.
Can I change or cancel a booking in Bilbao?
Yes, in the same WhatsApp conversation. The terms depend on the product and on how close to the date the change comes; the desk states them before you pay.