From perfect pintxo bars to luxury hotels, here’s why Bilbao should be your next Spanish getaway
- Peregryn travel writers
- Apr 23
- 8 min read
Located in the lush north of Spain, nestled between rolling hills and the Bay of Biscay, Bilbao is a city with natural beauty, unique gastronomy and rich culture centred around its own language, Basque, Europe’s oldest language. Said to be the last remaining descendant of prehistoric European tongues, it’s a language isolate also serving as a metaphor for the uniqueness of Basque culture.
Once a modest city built on the iron trade, it’s become northern Spain’s art and cultural capital. The Guggenheim Museum, now one of the main Bilbao tourist attractions, was a catalyst. Inaugurated in 1997, it inspired a new wave of creativity, with old industrial spaces reimagined as exciting cultural centres and alternative art spaces.
Reasons to love Bilbao
Today, Bilbao is one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations. Yet, with a more bijou style than Barcelona and Madrid, it has a charm all of its own.
Set just in from Spain’s idyllic Bay of Biscay coastline, Bilbao is surrounded by majestic mountains and rolling green hills. With a population a touch under 350,000, it’s Spain’s tenth largest city, yet has a compact quality that makes it very walkable, and a fantastic public transportation system that makes it easy to explore the whole city. This is a place filled with sprawling green spaces, including wonderful city parks in the center and idyllic forested areas on the outskirts. It’s also a foodie’s paradise, with nine Michelin-starred restaurants and an array of historic dining spots that make Bilbao the heart and soul of the Basque Country's rightly famous gastronomic scene.
Bilbao: places to see and things to do
Bilbao’s signature attraction, the Guggenheim Museum showcases some of the best contemporary art in Spain. Yet two of its most renowned works are set around the museum’s grounds. Take a stroll and you’ll find the famous 43-foot flower display Puppy, created by American artist Jeff Koons, as well as the striking Maman spider sculpture by French-American artist Louise Bourgeois.
Old Town
The old town district, known as Casco Viejo, is a collection of interweaving medieval streets and alleyways. The architecture in Bilbao‘s old town blends heritage with modernity, with an array of traditional tavernas, landmark plazas and historic buildings, together with designer boutiques, street food stalls and chic cafés unfurling across an eminently strollable space.
Mount Artxanda
For those who fancy a brisk escape to nature, Mount Artxanda affords the perfect opportunity. Take the funicular from Estacion Bilbao near Uribarri and you’ll be whisked to the mountaintop in three minutes. From here, enjoy scenic views of the city from the Mount Artxanda Mirador.
While it’s often overlooked for the more renowned Guggenheim, Bellas Artes contains one of the most sublime collections of art in Spain. You’ll find works by past masters including Goya and Gauguin, together with contemporary treasures.
Europe’s largest indoor market, the sprawling Mercado de la Ribera is an ode to traditional Basque cuisine. Built in 1929, its 10km2 of fresh produce stands, butchers stalls and fishmongers, with an adjoining food hall that serves local delicacies.
A man-made island in the centre of the city, Zorrotzaurre is part of an urban regeneration built on a disused industrial district. A model of sustainability and innovation, it’s home to a number of parks, sports centers and cultural spots, with a programme of vibrant activities all year round.
Riverside docks
Thanks to a regeneration project, Bilbao’s previously industrial dock area has been transformed into a buzzing riverside expanse featuring serene walkways, modern art sculptures and terraced cafes and restaurants. Take a seat, people watch over a tipple or two, and enjoy the riverside view when the sun goes down in Bilbao.
Vizcaya Bridge
Bilbao’s pioneering Vizcaya is the world’s first metal-structured ferry bridge. While it can be traversed by car, bike or train, it’s best crossed on foot, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the Nervión River and the Bay of Biscay.
Best food in Bilbao: a place for perfect pintxos
The Basque capital is the birthplace of the pintxo, a diminutive delicacy that’s a variation of traditional Spanish tapas. A pintxo typically consists of a slice of fresh bread at its base, topped with a combination of ingredients and usually secured with a cocktail stick.
As a fundamental part of Basque cuisine, any visit to Bilbao should include a delicious dive into the city’s pintxo scene. There are lots of great areas for pintxo tours, notably Casco Viejo, the city’s old town. So, make like a local and sample perfect pintxos at the following places.
Fast service and a warm atmosphere make this pintxo bar in the Indautxu neighborhood a local gem. For meat lovers, their famous lamb pintxos are essential, while the grilled octopus pintxos are the go-to seafood option for locals.
Authentic, homely and welcoming to tourists, La Viña del Ensanche has been a favourite local establishment for almost a century. You’ll find a wide range of options here, from grilled monkfish to tempura-fried wild asparagus, but the star of the show is the sensational Joselito Iberian pork loin.
Tucked away in a corner of the buzzing neoclassical square Plaza Nueva, Gure Toki puts an innovative twist on traditional pintxos. The tempura crab is delectable, particularly when paired with a recommended local wine, while for dessert the Basque cheesecake is a must.
Playfully named pintxos that pack a punch, Bar Bacaicoa is on the eastern fringe of Casco Viejo. The setting is pure retro, with a relaxed and friendly vibe. Try the fabulously fiery setas al purgatorio (literally mushrooms in purgatory) and the chorizo al infierno (chorizo in hell).
A historic pintxo bar that opened its doors in 1849, Victor Montes is an excellent showcase for traditional Basque pintxos and warm hospitality. Standout dishes include the spider crab croquettes and octopus with potato velouté, paprika gelée and caviar, while the ornate façade and antique interiors bring vintage charm.
Go gourmet
Savour the culinary wonders of the Basque Country’s foodie gem. From Michelin-starred hotspots to authentic old school tavernas, you’ll find a host of amazing eateries offering sensational epicurean experiences. Here’s just a small selection of the best restaurants in Bilbao.
Regularly ranked in the world’s top restaurants listings, this three-Michelin-starred sensation is an ode to traditional Basque cuisine yet with ingenious cooking methods and dazzling presentation. Overseen by famous Basque chef Eneko Atxa, it’s set within an artful, organic space with panoramic hillside views.
Located on the banks of the Nervión River inside the plush Tayko Hotel, this Michelin-starred restaurant is one of Bilbao's premier dining spots. Bare brick walls and exposed beams give it a rustic yet contemporary ambience, while the two exquisite tasting menus feature dishes such as traditional Basque stew with cod slices with Biscayan red shrimp.
Make your way to the top of the Radisson Collection Hotel, Gran Via Bilbao to ENEKO, a dazzling restaurant that specializes in grilled meats, fish and vegetables. Don’t miss the signature dish, the egg yolk with wheat stew.
One of the city’s most exclusive restaurants, Mina serves market-fresh, seasonal, cuisine from land and sea within an intimate space. Order the tasting menu and take a seat at the bar, watching the masterful team at work before savouring dishes such as bonito with Japanese stock stew and seaweed emulsion.
Soft neon lighting, chrome metal piping and a starlit ceiling give this space a futuristic ambience. The sublime tasting menu offers succulent “Cowboy Txuleta”, grilled barnacles and traditional Basque pintxos reinvented with a modern twist.
Sleek, contemporary interiors offer a cozy dining experience, while signature dishes such as Donostiarra spider crab, suckling pig with truffle mash and Basque clams with chili caviar deliver sensational flavors.
Where to stay in Bilbao
From elegant boutiques to quirky guesthouses, Bilbao has accommodation options to suit all tastes. Here’s a selection of some of the best hotels in Bilbao.
Interiors blend minimalism with traditional touches, featuring sleek concrete walls, steel walkways, exposed wooden beams and original stained windows. The cuisine is outstanding, with the hotel’s Michelin-Star restaurant, Ola Martin Berasategui, serving up such delights as smoked eel mille feuille and artichoke truffles.
The Artist Gran Hotel
With views overlooking one of the most emblematic Bilbao tourist attractions, the Guggenheim, the Gran Hotel Domine brings a fabulous designer chic vibe with its playful interiors and artistic flair. Just a short stroll from the lively Casco Viejo, where you’ll find a great selection of bars and restaurants.
A regal 1920s hotel with a certain old-world glamour, Hotel Carlton is the original Bilbao luxury accommodation. A sumptuous Beaux-Arts exterior and interiors that feature glittering chandeliers and majestic hallways hint at the history of the hotel, whose past guests include Ernest Hemingway and Ava Gardner.
Just a stone’s throw from the excellent Museo de Bellas Artes and a 10-minute walk from the Guggenheim Museum, Miró Hotel is a cosy boutique hotel with a contemporary design. Light-filled rooms are minimalist, with soft white tones for a calming vibe, while the excellent wellness suite provides a range of treatments and rituals.
A funky on-trend hotel in the heart of Casco Viejo. The offbeat design features a kaleidoscope of colours throughout the hotel’s 108 rooms, together with murals from local street artists scattered throughout. It’s also home to one of the best rooftop bars in Bilbao, the perfect place for sundowners and epic cityscape views.
A quirky, family-owned guesthouse with a cinema theme, the Caravan Cinema brings a boutique hotel vibe with chic, modern interiors. It’s a mere minute from the historic Plaza Nueva and is a short stroll from the city’s cathedral and some of the most renowned Bilbao tourist attractions.
Bilbao travel guide: the neighbourhoods
Casco Viejo
Bilbao’s old town is full of traditional cafés and tavernas, together with some of the best restaurants in Bilbao. It’s the place to be for an immersive insight into the city’s culture and history.
Bilbao La Vieja
Across the river from the town’s historic centre, the district known as ‘Bilbi’ to locals is Bilbao’s bohemian heart. Here you’ll find hangouts for local artists and musicians, with all manner of cool bars, cafés and street art spots infused with a laid-back vibe.
Abandoibarra
The bustling city centre district on the southern bank of the Nervión River, Abandoibarra is full of green urban spaces, luxury hotels and key Bilbao tourist attractions, most notably the renowned Guggenheim Museum.
Indautxu
A buzzing riverside district with an array of bars, nightclubs, restaurants, museums and parks. Stay here to be right in the cultural epicentre of the city.
San Francisco
Once known for its hedonistic nightclub scene, San Francisco is an up-and-coming barrio in the southwest of the city that now has more of a bohemian flair.
Deusto
Bilbao’s university district in the north of the city has a less touristy feel. It’s great for affordable tapas and riverside strolls, and is also notable for its increasingly popular nightlife scene.
Santutxu
Away from the vibrant energy of the city centre, this relaxed residential neighbourhood to the southeast of the city provides an excellent counterpoint to typically touristic areas.
Uribarri
A tranquil suburban neighbourhood in the green northeast outskirts of the city, Uribarri is perfect for long hikes around the sloping hills of Parque Etxebarria while excellent travel links mean the city centre is just a 15-minute journey.
Mount Artxanda
Bilbao’s emblematic mountain overlooking the city is home to some wonderful rural getaways. Stay here for unique landscapes and a different perspective on the city, which can be accessed via funicular train.
Pack your bags and book your Bilbao trip
For the best of the Basque Country and a terrific alternative to Spain’s big two, head to Bilbao on vacation. You’ll savour a selection of sensational foodie spots, including sublime Michelin-starred restaurants and traditional local establishments, immersing yourself in the region’s unique culinary scene.
And with a whole host of museums that shine a light on Basque’s artistic heritage and vibrant contemporary art scene, as well as the charming old town and breathtaking surrounding landscapes, there are so many reasons to get lost in this unique destination on the Iberian Peninsula’s lush northern coast.
