Bilbao event weekends: what to do between sessions
Basque Country's biggest city: the Guggenheim, pintxo bars in the Casco Viejo and green hills, with San Sebastián an hour away.
Events we cover in Bilbao
8 Jul 2027*Bilbao BBK Live
Bilbao, SpainFestival8 Jun 2030World Cup 2030 in Bilbao
Bilbao, SpainWorld Cup 2030
Bilbao, SpainFestival8 Jun 2030World Cup 2030 in Bilbao
Bilbao, SpainWorld Cup 2030
Arriving
Bilbao airport (BIO) is 12 km north. Bizkaibus A3247 runs to the centre every 20 minutes in about 20 minutes; taxis cost about 30 euros.
Where to stay
| Budget | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Casco Viejo | Old town pensions above the pintxo bars. |
| Mid-range | Abando and Indautxu | Modern hotels near the station and San Mamés. |
| Splurge | Abandoibarra riverside | Design hotels by the Guggenheim. |
Three hotels we would book
- Budget: Bilbao Akelarre Hostel
- Mid-range: Hotel Carlton Bilbao
- Splurge: Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao
Tours
Half day · Indoor · Low walking
Guggenheim Museum guided tour
Frank Gehry's titanium building and its collection.
Where to eat
With kids
- Bilbao Maritime Museum.
- Beaches at Getxo and Sopelana by metro.
Rainy-day backups
- Fine Arts Museum.
- Basque Museum.
Free things to do
- Walk the riverside from the Guggenheim to the Casco Viejo.
- Funicular de Artxanda for the view (small fee).
Getting around
- Metro Bilbao reaches the beaches at Getxo and Plentzia.
- San Mamés stadium has its own metro station.
- Uber, Cabify and Free Now work in Spanish cities. Taxis are metered and reasonable.
- Renfe high-speed AVE and Ouigo/Iryo trains link Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Málaga, Valencia and Zaragoza. Book early for event weekends.