Bilbao, 59

Bilbao

Euskal Autonomia Erkidegoa, Spain

Art, gastronomy, and an authentic Basque spirit

  • 21° Avg high
  • 0/14 Sunny days
© Mikel Arrazola · CC BY 3.0 es · cropped

Counted over the next 14 days. A sunny day is dry, mostly clear and reaches at least 22°C.

Today in Bilbao

Open the full day →
VibeQuietYou'll have your pick of tables and beach loungers.
Weather23° / 19°24.4 mm rain · UV 3 · Moderate
Sea21°CRough · 2.0 m
Beach hours08:16–19:06Wind 22 km/h

Things to do in Bilbao

The city's classics, ranked for a first visit. Places a local guide stops at say so.

No verdicts on these places yet. Been to any? Say whether it's worth it — that is exactly what the next traveller reads here.

Place data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)

When to go

The next 14 days — crowds, weather and what's on in one strip. Tap a day to open it.

  1. Wed723°
  2. Thu819°
  3. Fri919°
  4. Sat1021°
  5. Sun1120°
  6. Mon1224°
  7. Tue1324°
  8. Wed1423°
  9. Thu1519°
  10. Fri1619°
  11. Sat1719°
  12. Sun1818°
  13. Mon1919°
  14. Tue2022°

Crowds:QuietComfortableBusyVery busy

Best pickBusiestSomething on

Best days: Tue 13, Wed 14 and Tue 20

Picked for lighter crowds and good weather.

What Bilbao is like

A year-round read of the city's character, not this week's weather.

Bilbao leans hardest into Adventure, Sport and Beauty — and Sea matters least here.

  • Adventure73
  • Sport72
  • Culture70
  • Beauty70
  • Authenticity65

Good to know about Bilbao

  • In Bilbao, they're not called 'tapas' but 'pintxos,' and the atmosphere is liveliest during aperitif hours (12:30 PM to 2:30 PM) and in the evening (7:30 PM to 9:30 PM); outside these times, many of the best bars have limited offerings or are closed. Source
  • Christmas markets, like the Bilbao Gabonak Christmas Fair, often have locations and hours that can change annually; for 2025, the Christmas Market moves to Doña Casilda Park and has special hours on December 24, 25, 31, and January 1 and 5, being closed on some of those days. Source
  • Aste Nagusia (Great Week) is the biggest festival, transforming the city in August with huge crowds; if you plan to visit then, book accommodation at least 2 or 3 months in advance and be prepared for large gatherings at key events like the fireworks. Source
  • The airport is only 10-13 km from Bilbao city center, but the Bizkaibus A3247 bus is the most economical and direct option, taking about 25 minutes with strategic stops and frequencies of 15-20 minutes, often more efficient than a taxi during peak hours. Source
  • There are no ski resorts in Bizkaia itself, but Valdezcaray (La Rioja) and Alto Campoo (Cantabria) are the closest, about 1.5 to 2 hours away by car, and are usually preferred by locals for a ski trip due to their proximity and family-friendly atmosphere. Source
  • While not all are 'Bilbao' specific routes, the province of Bizkaia offers over 40 short hiking trails (many under 10-12 km) within easy reach, ideal for exploring the coast and inland, with options for all levels and some specific family-friendly routes. Source
  • If you're looking for dolphin watching, boat trips depart from ports like Bermeo or Santurtzi, not from Bilbao city, and often include marine biologists on board. Source
  • To spot whales and dolphins, tours depart from nearby coastal towns like Bermeo or Santurtzi, not directly from Bilbao; it's best to book an outing with an expert guide for an optimal experience. Source
All scores and the radar

The vibe of this city

How strongly this place leans into each kind of trip — a stable read on its everlasting character, not today's weather.

CalmAdventureNatureFoodSportCultureSocialFamilyRomanceProductivityValueAuthenticitySafetyWeatherBeautySea
This city

Year-round profile

How Bilbao scores, dimension by dimension

Calmbalanced · 50Why

You can find quiet walking through Doña Casilda Iturrizar park or exploring the banks of the Nervión river during the day. However, expect a lively atmosphere well into the night in areas like the Casco Viejo or Indautxu neighborhood. Source

Adventurevery strong · 73Why

The nearby Bizkaia coast offers surf spots like La Salvaje in Sopela, and the surrounding mountains are ideal for hiking and climbing in places such as Atxarte. Source

Naturebalanced · 52Why

You can easily access hiking trails in nearby mountains like Pagasarri, or enjoy Blue Flag beaches in Getxo and Sopela a short distance from the city. However, within the city, the night sky has significant light pollution. Source

Foodbalanced · 42Why

Bilbao's food scene is rich in pintxos culture, especially in the Casco Viejo and on Ledesma Street, where you can enjoy small delicacies at the bar. While fine dining exists, the true local experience is found in traditional bars. Source

Sportvery strong · 72Why

You can surf on the nearby beaches of the Bizkaian coast, hike in the mountains surrounding the city like Artxanda or Pagasarri, or find yoga studios in neighborhoods such as Indautxu. Source

Culturestrong · 70
Socialbalanced · 51
Familylight · 35Why

While there are parks like Doña Casilda, the city has fewer specific attractions for small children compared to other destinations. For more family-focused activities, consider a day trip to the beaches of Getxo with its Suspension Bridge or to the Urdaibai Natural Park. Source

Romancestrong · 56Why

You can enjoy pleasant walks along the estuary, intimate dinners in charming restaurants in the Casco Viejo, or a relaxing day at the nearby spas in Bizkaia. Source

Productivitybalanced · 51Why

With a good internet infrastructure, you can work efficiently. However, if you are looking for a widespread coworking space community, you will find fewer options than in larger cities. Source

Valuelight · 30Why

Accommodation can be somewhat more expensive, especially during high season. To optimize your budget, consider looking for lodging options outside the most touristy center or visiting in spring or autumn for more moderate prices. Source

Authenticitystrong · 65Why

The city maintains a strong local character and an authentic Basque identity, evident in its language, gastronomy, and traditions. Here you will feel more like a local than in many other European destinations. Source

Safetybalanced · 52Why

Bilbao is generally a safe city for visitors, and you can feel comfortable exploring it. However, as in any city, it is prudent to be mindful of your belongings, especially in crowded areas of the Casco Viejo or on public transport. Source

Weatherstrong · 57Why

You will enjoy an Atlantic climate with mild summers and a good amount of sunshine hours, ideal for exploring the city and its surroundings without the extreme heat of southern Spain. Source

Beautyvery strong · 70Why

The city offers a blend of urban beauty with buildings like the Guggenheim and panoramic views from viewpoints such as Artxanda, where you can see the estuary and the mountains embracing it. Source

Sealight · 29

Scored on 16 of 16 vibe dimensions from this city's year-round data.

The story of BilbaoA few slides on what the city is strong on, where it falls short and how the day runs.Read it →

Nearby and similar

Built from live weather, crowd, event and holiday data · as of 16/09/2026

Is Bilbao busy right now?
Open today's date for Bilbao to see the live vibe — we fuse weather, crowds, events and holidays into one busyness score, updated daily.
When is Bilbao least crowded?
Browse the next 14 days above: each day is labelled from quiet to very busy. Quiet days are usually mid-week and away from holidays and big events.
What's the weather like in Bilbao?
Each day card shows the expected highs, lows and rain for Bilbao. Open any date for the hourly breakdown.