24 Jan 2026 If you want to see everything Bilbao has to offer, you need two very important things to do: the first is to explore Bilbao from top to bottom; the second is to explore its surrounding areas and discover its most beautiful landscapes.
To help you do both, here's a comprehensive article with all the information you need to make the most of your stay in Bilbao.
We'll guide you through your tour of Bilbao, but don't miss a thing; from how to get around to what places you can visit on quick trips using Bilbao as your base camp.
Bilbao Airport is quite close to La Villa, so getting there won't be a big effort. The best connection is by bus.
The Bizkaibus runs from the airport to Bilbao city centre, making several stops at different locations. You can be in the centre in about 20 minutes, traffic permitting, and it will cost €3.
Once you're in the centre, getting around is easy and very convenient. Bilbao offers the option of getting around by bus, known as Bilbobus, metro, or tram. With the Barik card, you can cover all of these options and move freely around the city.
All of these services operate during the day, stopping only in the early morning, and usually starting at 6:00 a.m.
Bilbao has a fantastic student atmosphere. Students from all over the world flock here to learn more and make friends.
The city is accustomed to welcoming tourists, yet it's never overcrowded. Thanks to this balance, the locals are open and friendly, and always welcome the arrival of new faces.
Despite being one of Europe's major cities, its prices aren't outrageous. The cost of living is affordable, and the value for money of its local products is one of its greatest advantages.
As if its atmosphere, academic level, and interesting, rich culture and history weren't enough, its gastronomy is one of the fundamental pillars that makes a visit to Bilbao a lasting memory.
It's highly recommended to take a tour of Bilbao's main monuments as soon as you set foot in Bilbao. This will help you understand how Bilbao is laid out and help you get to know its neighbourhoods and streets.
Although if you want a quick introduction to what you absolutely must see during your stay in Bilbao, we'll give you a quick rundown. First and foremost, there's the Guggenheim Museum, an undisputed institution in the city.
It has become a symbol of the city and of everything Bilbao represents: art, avant-garde, and diversity. Within this avant-garde, there's still room for tradition, such as the bridges over La Ría and La Ría itself. The soul of Bilbao.
Visiting the Arriaga Theater and learning about the composer's history is another must-do. The Euskalduna Congress and Music Centre awaits us on the banks of the Nervión River, as does the popular and renowned Ribera Market: gastronomy and beauty in one place.
The San Mamés football stadium, known as The Cathedral and home to Athletic Club, is an architectural marvel that you must visit, whether you're a football fan or not. It's a monument in itself; it's like saying you don't visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Begoña because you're not very religious. That doesn't matter; you're here to enjoy the art and architecture, beliefs aside.
Just a stone's throw from Bilbao are some of the most beautiful places in all of Spain. And from here, we encourage you to discover them, with round-trip trips from the same destination and using Bilbao as your home in the north.
It's one of those must-sees thanks to all its charm and beauty. If you've seen Game of Thrones, it'll feel very familiar, and we won't say anything more to avoid any inconsistencies or minor spoilers.
Although whether or not you've seen the famous series adds or detracts from the beauty of this impressive coastal spot, its endless steps leading you to the hermitage. For breathtaking views, don't forget to visit the Matxitxako Lighthouse.
Surely if you look it up and see the photo of the place, it'll remind you of something. You're not quite sure what, but it does. Well, the photos don't do it justice, because it's a castle and an even more impressive place than it seems.
Although you can't see the inside, the outside is marvellous and lives up to its incredible stories, legends, and battles, which began in medieval times. And all of this is just a 25-minute walk away.
We're going to visit another city that, although not as famous as Bilbao, is equal to its beauty. It's known as one of the greenest cities in Europe, and that says a lot about it.
To walk through the medieval streets, you don't need a time machine; just travel to the historic center of Vitoria and let yourself be carried away by its paths. The Cathedral of Santa María is just one of those magical places that give Vitoria a special aura. On a well-organized two-hour tour, you'll be able to see much of its beauty.
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