Two Days in Bilbao: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary

Hear me out. I’ve been to Granada, Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Menorca, and countless tiny towns, but my favorite place to visit in Spain? Bilbao.

Once the industrial heart of Spain, Bilbao received a facelift in the 90s and 2000s, and the city was changed forever. While this region has always been a bit of a black sheep, Bilbao still retains a little edginess. Its residents ooze an uber-cool attitude and a quirky confidence that only a bílbaino could.

While most visitors skip Bilbao in favor of San Sebastian, I knew I would love the city’s more off-the-beaten-path vibe, and I was right! It’s hard for me to compare the two, but Bilbao has so much to offer, including food, and it’s arguably half the price of visiting San Sebastian!

Quintessentially colorful Basque architecture, delightfully whimsical modern art installations, and mouthwatering food you won’t find anywhere else. This is Bilbao, and you’re about to find out why I fell in love with this quirky city that’s steeped in history. 

Come with me for two days in Bilbao!

Quick Guide to Two Days in Bilbao

Day 1: 

• Walking tour of Bilbao 🚶‍♀️‍➡️
• Stroll around the Casco Viejo ⛪︎
• DIY pintxos crawl 🦐

Day 2: 

• Guggenheim Museum 🖼️
• Train to Getxo 🌊
• Basque cheesecake and walking along the Nervion River 🍰

Getting to Bilbao

For most Bilbao visitors, you’ll be flying into one of Spain’s larger cities (like Barcelona or Madrid) to spend some time before moving on to the Basque Country.

From Barcelona, there’s one non-stop train a day that leaves from Barcelona Sants at 8:50 AM, otherwise, you’ll have one to two stopovers. 

I was traveling to Bilbao from Madrid and wanted to make the most of our weekend away. We hopped on the early morning train from Chamartin, Madrid’s northern train station. 

The trip takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes and is the fastest option! Keep in mind that there are only two nonstop trains to Bilbao from Madrid a day, one in the early morning and one in the evening. Otherwise, you’ll need to make a change somewhere along the way, and the travel time creeps up to over 6 hours.

Unlike other rail lines in Spain, the north doesn’t have as many high-speed trains. The last 1.5 hours or so to Bilbao is slow going as the train moves through the Cantabrian Range, but it’s beautiful scenery nonetheless. 

If you’re lucky, you might even be treated to a rainbow like us! 

In the less likely event that you want to fly straight into the Bilbao airport, there are direct flights from lots of European cities, although some are seasonal. There’s even a direct flight from NYC with United if you’re eager to start your Spanish Basque Country adventures.

Getting Around Bilbao

Bilbao is a very walkable city. That being said, some areas aren’t easily reached on foot. 

The best way to get around Bilbao by public transportation is the metro system. Three different lines service the city and outlying neighborhoods and towns. It’s a little slower than metro systems in major cities like Madrid, but it’s still a quick and efficient way to get around. 

Another popular mode of transport is the Euskotren Tramway, which operates on one line that follows the river. This is a good way to get around the city center. 

Tip: If you know you’ll be using Bilbao’s public transportation frequently, it might be worth getting a Barik Card which you can use on everything from buses to metros in the city. You can get these cards in metro stations, train stations, and other spots. It costs just €3 and you’ll need to top it up with at least €5.

Where to Stay in Bilbao

While the Casco Viejo is beautiful and oozes quintessential Basque Country charm, the streets are tiny and often filled with travelers. For that reason, I recommend staying in the Abando neighborhood.

We stayed at the Mercure Bilbao Jardines and absolutely loved it! The location was perfect, about a 10-minute walk from the Guggenheim Museum and the Casco Viejo (in opposite directions). 

It was quiet, comfy, has pretty views of the Nervion River, and *bonus* the downstairs bar had great cocktails, coffee, and snacks. We actually grabbed a jamon sandwich and a café con leche right when we got there to satiate our hunger a bit.

I also thought it was really reasonably priced at about $120 a night over a weekend in April.

Check rates here to book one of the best hotels in Bilbao! 

Another good spot that would be at the top of my list on a return trip to Bilbao is the Radisson Collection Bilbao. 

This is a bit more on the pricey side, but if you’re visiting in the off season, it’s well worth a little splurge! The Radisson is also located in the Abando neighborhood and has the bonus of a stunning rooftop that overlooks the city. 

The rooms are modern, spacious, comfortable, and beautifully decorated. Each room also has a deep soaking tub, which would be so nice after a long day of exploring this often rainy and cool city. 

You can check rates for the Radisson Collection Bilbao here!

Two Days in Bilbao: Your Ultimate Guide

Day 1:

If you’re arriving by train on your first day, try to hop the earliest one possible (within reason) to maximize your time. 

Your first order of business in Bilbao is arriving at the beautiful Bilbao Abando train station (see that stained glass?!) and locating your hotel. The city is small enough that you’ll probably be able to walk from the train station, but if not, there are taxis waiting outside, and the city has a pretty extensive metro system.

Drop your bags off at the hotel (or check in if you’re lucky) and get started exploring the city. The two largest neighborhoods, and where you’ll likely spend most of your time, are Abando and Casco Viejo. 

Get the lay of the land on a walking tour 

Bilbao is a city steeped in history, and there’s no better way to get to know it than on a walking tour. 

Kicking off at 10:00 am (perfect timing if you ask me!), you’ll follow a local, Basque guide for two hours, learning about architecture, the city’s industrial past, and medieval beginnings. You’ll wind your way through both the Abando and Casco Viejo neighborhoods. 

The other kicker? This is a small-group walking tour with only 10 people at a time, so you won’t get lost in a big crowd or have to strain to hear your guide. 

I always love doing a walking tour first thing in a new city because it helps you get a lay of the land. It’s also great for putting the iconic places you’re seeing into a historical context and for picking your tour guides brain on where to eat and what else to see. Win win!

You can also do this tour at 4:00 PM if that works better for your schedule.

Book your walking tour of Bilbao here!

Soak up Basque culture in Casco Viejo

Translated directly to “Old Town” in the Basque language, Casco Viejo is the historic center of Bilbao. You’ll find traditional, colorful architecture, medieval alleyways, shops, and restaurants, all concentrated in a tight nucleus. 

While you touched on this area with your guide, I think it’s worth circling back to really soak it up. Whether you’re an avid photographer, like shopping, or you’re already hankering for a bite to eat, you’ll find it all here.

The most important landmark here is the Bilboko Donejakue Katedrale, otherwise known as the Bilbao Cathedral. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cathedral was built in the 1300s and is a stop along the Camino de Santiago. 

Our favorite hangout in Casco Viejo was Nueva Plaza, surrounded by pintxo bars, which leads to your next stop!

Eat your way through Bilbao on a DIY pintxos adventure

Spain’s Basque Country is famous for many things, but its cuisine takes the cake. 

Bilbao might be overshadowed by San Sebastian when it comes to food, but we found it to be inventive, delicious, and much more affordable. Like the city itself, the pintxo hot spots are mostly concentrated in the Abando and Casco Viejo neighborhoods.

Tips: Keep your eyes peeled for some of my favorites like txakoli (pronounced chacoli) wine, Idiazabal cheese, and bacalao with espelette peppers. 

Here are a few of my favorite places to eat in Bilbao…

• Gure Toki: One of the most highly rated pintxo bars in Bilbao, Gure Toki lives up to the hype. You’ll find it along Nueva Plaza, and they’re constantly conjuring up creative pintxos, both hot and cold. 

• Cafe Iruna: Open since 1903, this is the original pintxo restaurant in Bilbao. The service is incredible, but be prepared to belly up to the bar and fight the crowds. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the freshly grilled lamb skewers. Just follow your nose and the smoke from the grill, and you’ll find the little stand in the corner. 

• Perita: Perita specializes in seafood, especially fresh shrimp, but their homemade vermouth is *chef’s kiss*!

• Cafe Bar Bilbao: Another spot in Nueva Plaza, we happened upon Cafe Bar Bilbao, and it was a great little spot to be introduced to pintxos. We sat out on the terrace, but you’ll need to go inside to order food.

If you don’t want to DIY the experience, you can also hop on a guided food tour. This is a good option if you don’t want to do the navigating yourself or if ordering pintxos feels a little intimidating. 

I also always love a food tour because you learn more about the local culture through the cuisine and you get a chance to interact with restaurant owners. 

You can book a guided food tour here!

Tip: Ordering pintxos can be a little intimidating for first timers! Typically, you’ll belly up to the bar and point at the pintxos you want to order. 

If you enjoy white wine, don’t miss the chance to order a glass of txakoli! Produced in the Basque Country, this zingy, slightly effervescent vino is the perfect accompaniment to savory pintxos and seafood. 

This is a little bit of a hot take, but I would skip the Mercado de la Ribera in favor of seeking out Bilbao’s dedicated pintxo restaurants. It was hyped up a bit as one of the best things to do in Bilbao, but it was crickets when we went there, and the food seemed lackluster compared to the mountains of fresh pintxos oozing from every other corner of the city.

Day 2:

Admire modern art at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

It wouldn’t be a trip to Bilbao without a visit to the Guggenheim Museum. 

This is a great way to start your second day in the city. I would plan for 1-2 hours, depending on how much you love modern art. 

My husband and I aren’t huge modern art fans, but we knew we had to book tickets! This is probably one of the most famous art museums in the world, and people visit Bilbao just to come here. 

There are both permanent and temporary exhibits. We loved the installation on the first floor called “The Matter of Time”. Made from weathered steel, you can get lost between these towering pieces of metal, undulating beneath soaring ceilings. 

A few of the most popular masterpieces are outdoor installations, including “Puppy”, the giant dog covered in flowers at the Guggenheim’s entrance, and “Maman,” the famous spider-like sculpture.

If you’re visiting in the high season, you’ll want to book tickets well in advance! 

Take the train out to Getxo

Tip: It takes about 30 minutes via metro to get out to Getxo from downtown Bilbao. Simply hop on at the Abando metro station and ride out to the Neguri stop. 

One of my absolute favorite things we did in Bilbao was taking the metro out to Getxo! 

A seaside town that’s technically part of Greater Bilbao, Getxo hugs the mouth of the Nervion River where it meets the Bay of Biscay. 

The best part of going out to Getxo is holing up in a delicious restaurant for fresh seafood. We fell in love with Arrantzale Taberna. Their menu is drool-worthy and we definitely ordered way too much food, but it was so worth it. 

Sit out on the sunny terrace, enjoy a glass of txakoli, and dive in. I highly recommend the cod stuffed peppers, the fried calamari, and ending it all with a café con leche. Stroll through its beautiful streets, lined with the cutest Basque cottages, or take a walk along the waterfront afterwards to digest.

Grab Basque cheesecake and walk along the Nervion River

As if Bilbao weren’t already a foodie mecca, this region is known for Basque cheesecake. 

Known in Spanish as tarta de queso, Basque cheesecake is crustless and creamy with a burnt or well-done top.

It was still absolutely delicious! Bascake Bilbao is a well known spot in the Casco Viejo but they were closed the day we were there. 

Instead, we went to the next best place, Gure Toki in Nueva Plaza. While it didn’t have the classic burnt top, it looks like it typically does, according to reviews. Either way, this might have been some of the best cheesecake I’ve ever eaten!

We ate it to go as the classic Bilbao rain started drizzling on us. Funnily enough, we had incredible weather all weekend despite it being spring!

If the weather is better for you, take a stroll along the Nervion River afterwards and soak up the last moments in this incredible city. For those feeling like a nightcap, I also highly recommend popping by Perita for their homemade vermouth. 

Optional Day 3 (With more time)

If you happen to have three days in Bilbao, you could easily tack on a visit to the famous Game of Thrones filming location Gaztelugatxe. 

You can get out to this clifftop hermitage by car in 40 minutes or by bus in 2 hours, but I highly recommend you book a tour that leaves straight from Bilbao. You’ll have the added bonus of a local tour guide and get to see other popular sites like Gernika, one of the most somber sights of the Spanish Civil War, and Mundaka, a picturesque fishing village.

While we only had two days to see the city, this is really high on my list for the next time we’re in town and would make for the perfect cap to a wonderful two days in Bilbao!

Check prices for a guided tour of Gaztelugatxe here!

How many days do you need in Bilbao?

While you can “see” the city in one day, I highly recommend two days in Bilbao. This gives you just enough time to visit the Guggenheim, take a leisurely stroll through the Casco Viejo, eat your weight in pintxos, and maybe even take a day trip to Getxo. 

Is Bilbao walkable?

Yes! Bilbao is a very walkable city. The center of town is small and easy to navigate on foot. 

If you plan to go out to Getxo or one of the other outlying neighborhoods, you can just hop on the metro and be there in a flash.

Should you visit Bilbao or San Sebastian?

I haven’t visited San Sebastian, so this is difficult for me to determine, but I can wholeheartedly say that you shouldn’t skip Bilbao on a trip to Spain’s Basque Country!

It’s so often overlooked in favor of its gourmet sister to the east, but Bilbao has a unique vibe all its own.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning a weekend in Bilbao or simply coming for a short visit, I hope this guide to two days in Bilbao helps you plan your trip to this amazing city! 

From world class art installations to laid back attitude, beautiful scenery, and truly life changing foodie spots, I know you won’t regret a visit. 

Have you been to Bilbao? What was your favorite thing about the city? Let me know in the comments!

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