Bilbao is a Basque renaissance story—once an industrial port, now a design-forward city where world-class art, inventive cuisine, and green hillsides meet the Nervión River. Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum ignited the city’s rebirth in 1997, but the spirit is older: medieval trade routes, seafaring tradition, and a deep culinary culture built on honest ingredients and exacting technique.

Fun facts? Locals are fiercely proud of Euskara (the Basque language), Athletic Club’s cathedral of football at San Mamés, and pintxos—little bites with big personalities. You’ll wander the Seven Streets of the Casco Viejo, ride a funicular to hilltop views, and trace bold bridges by Santiago Calatrava and Arata Isozaki along the river.

Practical notes: Bilbao is compact and walkable, with excellent tram, metro, and bus networks. Pick up a Barik transport card for savings. Expect a mild, ocean-tempered climate; pack a light rain layer year-round. With a mid-range budget, you’ll eat and drink very well—this is Basque Country, after all.

Bilbao

Bilbao blends striking architecture (Guggenheim, Zubizuri Bridge, Azkuna Zentroa) with soulful corners—arcaded Plaza Nueva, the ribbed halls of Mercado de la Ribera, and the basilica of Begoña above red-tiled roofs. The riverwalks shine at golden hour, when Puppy’s flowers glow and the titanium museum shimmers.

Top bites span classic to creative: La Viña del Ensanche for acorn-fed ham and a legendary gildas; Gure Toki for inventive pintxos; Café Iruña for Moorish arches and grilled lamb pintxos; El Globo for mushroom croquetas; Casa Rufo for old-world steaks behind a grocery counter. Specialty coffee at Bihotz or Tostadero meets Basque cider at Olagorta and craft beer at Basquery.

Where to stay: Base yourself in walkable Abando/Indautxu (near museums and dining) or atmospheric Casco Viejo (medieval lanes, tram). Browse well-located apartments and hotels here: VRBO Bilbao and Hotels.com Bilbao. For a budget score (50/100), look for 3–4-star stays or well-reviewed apartments in Abando or Deusto.

Getting to Bilbao (BIO): From within Europe, look for nonstop flights (1–2.5 hours from Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, London; ~$60–$220) or fast trains within Spain (Madrid–Bilbao ~4.5–5.5 hours; Barcelona–Bilbao ~6–7 hours). Compare options on Omio Flights (Europe), Omio Trains (Europe), and Omio Buses (Europe). Flying from beyond Europe? Check Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Airport to center: the A3247 bus runs every 15–20 minutes (~€3, ~20 minutes) or taxis (~€25–€35).

Day 1: Arrival, River Walks, and First Pintxos

Afternoon: Arrive and settle into your hotel or apartment in Abando or Casco Viejo. Stretch your legs along the Nervión river: begin at the Guggenheim’s Puppy, cross La Salve Bridge for views of Gehry’s curves, then continue to Zubizuri Bridge and Isozaki towers. Coffee stop: Bihotz (specialty roasts, homemade bakes) or Happy River (sunny terrace).

Evening: Pintxos crawl around Plaza Nueva—start with Gure Toki (seared foie with apple, or squid ink delights), slide into Café Bar Bilbao (classic cod fritters and bonito with peppers), and finish at La Olla de la Plaza Nueva (anchovy-gilda skewer). For a sit-down dinner, book La Viña del Ensanche (iberico secreto, truffled eggs, stellar wine list). Nightcap: Basquery for house-brewed beer or Residence for well-made cocktails.

Day 2: Guggenheim, Parks, and a Food Tour

Morning: Dive into the Guggenheim with a guided visit to unlock both the architecture and the art narrative—from Richard Serra’s Torqued Ellipses to temporary blockbusters. Book here: Guggenheim Museum guided tour.

Afternoon: Picnic in Doña Casilda Park (bakery haul from Pastelería Arrese—milhojas, butter croissants). Stroll to the riverside Itsasmuseum (maritime heritage, shipbuilding stories) and snap the red-crane skyline. If you prefer design spaces, pop into Azkuna Zentroa (the former wine warehouse revamped by Philippe Starck; check the calendar for exhibitions and rooftop pool sessions).

Evening: Join a local-led pintxos walk to decode how to order, what to pair, and which bars shine for each specialty. It’s dinner and a cultural lesson rolled into one: The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local.

Day 3: Old Town, Market Grazing, and Hilltop Views

Morning: Breakfast at Café Iruña (historic tilework and Moorish motifs; try the tortilla and café con leche). Explore the Casco Viejo: the Seven Streets (Zazpi Kaleak), Santiago Cathedral’s Gothic nave, and arcaded Plaza Nueva. Graze the Mercado de la Ribera—grab grilled baby squid, txangurro-stuffed peppers, or cheese plates from the gastrostalls upstairs with river views.

Afternoon: Ride the Artxanda Funicular for a panorama—river bends, bridges, and green mountains framing the city. Descend for an espresso at Tostadero or a slice of Basque cheesecake at Pastelería Arrese. If you’re into football, tour San Mamés (the “Cathedral”) to see trophy rooms and the pitch.

Evening: Dinner options: Los Fueros (heritage recipes elevated—suckling lamb, pil-pil cod) or Mina (one-Michelin-star tasting menu highlighting seasonal Basque produce; reserve well ahead). Drinks after: O’Pazo for vermouth or Olagorta for Basque cider on tap.

Day 4: Day Trip—Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka and Gernika (Full Day)

Follow the Biscayan coast where cliffs meet legends. This guided excursion weaves cinematic San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (the Game of Thrones “Dragonstone”) with surf-town Mundaka and historic Gernika, home to the oak of Basque liberties. Expect coastal walks, viewpoints, and time in fishing ports—bring comfortable shoes and a wind layer. Book: Gaztelugatxe, Mundaka and Gernika Tour from Bilbao.

Back in Bilbao, keep dinner simple: Bar Eme’s iconic “triángulos” (chicken-crab mayo triangles with secret sauce), or El Globo’s pintxos if you’ve got energy for one last mini-crawl.

Day 5: Day Trip—Architectural Rioja Wine Country (Full Day)

Head south to La Rioja, where futuristic wineries punctuate ancient vines. This small-group tour pairs tastings with architectural icons—think Frank Gehry’s rippling Marqués de Riscal and Calatrava’s wave-like Ysios—plus a regional lunch. You’ll learn about tempranillo, barrel-aging, and terroir while sampling reserva and crianza styles. Book: Architectural Rioja Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch from Bilbao.

Return to Bilbao for a light supper: La Bodega de Ola (for beautifully sauced fish) or the deli-restaurant at Casa Rufo for a shared txuletón and salad if you prefer hearty.

Day 6: Slow Morning and Departure

Morning: Walk the river one last time and pop into local shops for edible souvenirs: Idiazabal cheese, Basque cider, preserved anchovies, and artisan turrón. Brunch on a chocolate “bollo” at Arrese or shakshuka and specialty coffee at Bihotz.

Afternoon: Transfer to the airport (A3247 bus or taxi). If you have a final hour to spare, sit by the Guggenheim’s riverside steps and watch the titanium change with the light—Bilbao’s parting postcard.

Where to Stay (Mid-Range Budget)

• Neighborhoods: Abando/Indautxu for museums and dining; Casco Viejo for atmosphere; Deusto for quiet and value.
• Estimated prices: Good 3–4-star hotels or well-located apartments typically run ~$110–$190 per night; value apartments can dip below ~$100 off-peak.
• Browse and book: VRBO Bilbao | Hotels.com Bilbao

Getting Around & Booking Transport

• Flights within Europe: 1–2.5 hours from major hubs; compare on Omio Flights.
• Trains in Spain: Madrid–Bilbao ~4.5–5.5h; Barcelona–Bilbao ~6–7h; check Omio Trains.
• Buses: Often cheapest for regional hops (e.g., San Sebastián); see Omio Buses.
• Long-haul flights: Compare global options on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

Optional Add‑Ons (If You Extend)

• Fine Arts Museum (check current opening status if renovations are ongoing; stellar 19th–20th c. Spanish art when open).
• French Basque coast day trip (Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz) for Belle Époque seaside vibes.

Bilbao rewards unhurried travelers: art that gleams differently each hour, pintxos that turn a simple night into a ritual, and day trips that frame the city between sea cliffs and vineyard folds. With this 6-day itinerary, you’ll taste, see, and feel why the Basque Country lingers long after you’ve flown home.