Why go
- Municipality in Basque Country, Spain.
- Served by Bilbao Airport (BIO).
History
Bilbao is a city in northern Spain, the largest city in the province of Biscay and in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 347,342 as of 2024, it is the 11th most populous city in Spain, and the most populous in northern Spain. The Bilbao metropolitan area has 1,037,847 inhabitants, making it the most populous metropolitan area in northern Spain. The comarca of Greater Bilbao is the fifth-largest urban area in Spain. Bilbao is also the main urban area in what is defined as the Greater Basque region.
Where to stay
Posta Kalea, 3, Ibaiondo, 48005 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · bilderhotel.com
Diego Lopez Haroko Kale Nagusia, 73, Abando, 48011 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · cataloniahotels.com
Mazarredo Zumarkalea, 22, Abando, 48009 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · vincciconsuladodebilbao.com
Prieto Indalecio Hiribidea, 1, 48004 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · spirithoteles.com
Mazarredo Zumarkalea, 61, Abando, 48009 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · hoteltheartist.com
Alameda de Recalde, 12, 14, Abando, 48009 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · bypillow.com
Federico Moyúa Plaza, 2, Abando, 48009 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · hotelcarlton.es
Pérez Galdós K., 56, Basurtu-Zorrotza, 48013 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · ilunionhotels.com
Mazarredo Zumarkalea, 77, Abando, 48009 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · mirohotelbilbao.com
Diego Lopez Haroko Kale Nagusia, 87, Abando, 48011 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · nh-hotels.com
Done Bikendi Kalea, 6, Abando, 48001 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · all.accor.com
Urkixo Zumarkalea, 13, Abando, 48008 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · sercotelhoteles.com
Ventosa Bidea, 34, Basurtu-Zorrotza, 48013 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · abbahoteles.com
Campo de Volantín Pasealekua, 22, bajó, 48007 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · hotelcondeduque.com
Zumalacárregui Etorb., 40, 48006 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · barcelo.com
Etxaniz Suhiltzailearen Plaza, s/n, Abando, 48010 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · eurostarshotels.com
Colón de Larreátegui K., 9, Abando, 48001 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · hotelabando.com
C. Bidebarrieta Kalea, 2, Ibaiondo, 48005 Bilbao, Biscay, Spain · petitpalace.com
Campo de Volantín Pasealekua, 11, 48007 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · barcelo.com
Leizaola Lehendakariaren Kalea, 29, Abando, 48001 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · melia.com
Ercilla Kalea, 37-39, Abando, 48011 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · marriott.com
Diego Lopez Haroko Kale Nagusia, 4, Abando, 48001 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain · radissonhotels.com
Indoor
Restaurants & places to go
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 09:00-23:00; Fr 09:00-00:00; Sa 11:00-00:00; Su 11:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 13 Kolon… · cafeirunabilbao.net
Fine Dining, Regional, Restaurant · Fine Dining/Regional restaurant · 37 Ercilla kalea, 48011 · restaurantemina.es
Fish, Regional, Spanish, Restaurant · Fish/Regional restaurant · 65 Poza lizentziatuaren kalea · zarate.restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant · zortziko.es
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 13:00-00:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access, air conditioning · 7 Avenida Carlos VII, Portugalete, 48920 · dominospizza.es
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su-We 09:30-02:00; Th 09:30-04:00; Fr-Sa 09:30-05:00 Features: takeaway · 1 Aita Lojendio kalea · mcdonalds.es
Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 20:00-23:00 · 31 Kale Nagusia, Getxo, 48930 · pandarestaurant.es
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 13:00-17:00, 20:00-23:00; Sa-Su 13:00-17:00, 20:00-23:55 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 2 Portuko… · udon.com
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:30-22:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · starbucks.com
Italian, Italian Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 13:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 13:00-23:00 · 2 Leizaola lehendakariaren kalea, 48009 · artebianca.io
Local, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:30; Sa-Su 08:00-22:30 · 3 Grupo Tomás Zubiria Ybarra, 48007 · restauranteetxekoa.com
Spanish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th,PH 12:30-16:00,19:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 12:30-23:30 Features: outdoor seating · 12 Ledesma kalea, Bilbao, 48001 · finorestaurant.es
Sushi, Burger, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-22:00; Sa 10:30-23:00; Su 10:30-22:00 Features: takeaway, delivery, vegan options, air conditioning · 3… · lacameliaveganbar.com
Breakfast, Coffee Shop, Pancake, Brunch, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 09:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 09:00-22:30 Features: outdoor seating · 25 Gregorio de la… · taulabilbao.com
Kebab, Pizza, Chicken, Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 12:30-23:59 Features: takeaway, vegetarian options, halal · 6 Asturias kalea, Bilbao, 48015 · just-eat.es
Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 13:00-16:00 · 89 Sanrokebidea bidea, 48015 · txakolisimon.com
Poke, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 12:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:30-23:30 Features: takeaway, step-free access, air conditioning · 15 Kolon Larreategi kalea
Sandwich, Restaurant · Features: step-free access, air conditioning · ccballonti.com
Chinese, Restaurant · Chinese restaurant · palillosdeoro2.es
Chicken, Salad, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 13:00-16:00, 20:00-23:00, Sa 13:30-16:00,20:00-23:00, Su 13:30-16:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free… · cervecerasantaana.com
Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 13:00-16:00, 20:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 13:00-16:00, 20:00-23:00 · 31 Fernández del Campo kalea, 48010 · kaliorexibylabocatorio.com
Gallega, Steak House, Pulpo, Restaurant · Opening hours: Th-Su 09:30-02:00 · 114 Arraizbidea, Bilbao, 48002 · lar-arraiz-pulperia-asador.eatbu.com
Diner, Fine Dining, Local, Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: We, Su 13:30-14:30; Th-Sa 13:30-14:30, 20:30-21:30 · 13 Erribera kalea, 48005 · olamartinberasategui.com
Mexican, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Th 20:00-00:00; Fr-Sa 14:00, 20:00-01:00 · 9 San Frantzisko kalea, Bilbao, 48003 · eltemplobilbao.com
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Th 08:30-16:00; Fr-Su 08:30-18:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access, air conditioning · duplabilbao.com
Cake, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Th 09:30-13:45,16:00-20:00; Fr,Sa 09:30-14:00,16:00-20:00 Features: vegan options, step-free access · bohemianlanebilbao.com
Tapas, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 09:30-23:00; Fr 09:30-01:00; Sa 12:00-01:00; Su 12:00-17:00 · 8 Andra Maria kalea, Bilbao, 48005 · irrintzi.es
Arab, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Sa 13:30-16:00, 19:30-23:00; Tu 19:30-23:00 · Bilbao, 48010 · jazminos.com
Fries, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:30-00:00 · 6 Gurutze kalea, Bilbao, 48005
Catering, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 11:00-17:00; Sa 11:00-15:00 Features: vegan options · 47 Deustuibarra, Bilbao, 48014
Brunch, Sandwich, Coffee Shop, Pastry, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating · 13 Kolon Larreategi kalea, Bilbao, 48001 · eltrezebilbao.com
Grill, Restaurant · Grill restaurant · 24 Elcano kalea, 48008 · labrasacanalla.com
American, Barbecue, Burger, Cake, Coffee Shop, Diner, Sandwich, Cafe · American/Barbecue cafe · 16 Erribera kalea, 48005 · arambarrifoodandroll.com
Tex-Mex, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 48 Poza lizentziatuaren kalea, Bilbao
Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Th 10:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-00:00; Su 11:00-22:00 · 1 Nafarroa kalea · nossi-be.com
Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-20:00; Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 09:00-14:45 Features: step-free access
Pintxos, Cafe · Opening hours: 08:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, air conditioning
Moroccan, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 07:00-24:00, Fr,Sa 07:00-02:30 Features: takeaway · 70 Iturribide kalea, Bilbao, 48006
Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream · Features: takeaway, step-free access · llaollaoweb.com
International, Restaurant · International restaurant · bilbaoberria.es
Basque Ciderhouse, Restaurant · Basque Ciderhouse restaurant · sidreriaelexalde.com
Basque, Restaurant · Basque restaurant · galdaretxe.com
Crepe, Savory Pancakes, Restaurant · Crepe/Savory Pancakes restaurant · 2 Unibertsitate etorbidea
354 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Bilbao Airport (BIO) 4.5 km to the centre
Bilbao, PV, ES — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 18 airlines (Iberia Airlines, Vueling Airlines, Air Europa, easyJet…) · direct flights to 35 destinations incl. Lisbon, Palma de Mallorca, Arrecife, Gran Canaria, Ibiza… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 18 airlines, 35 direct destinations
- Iberia Airlines IB (A320, CRJ-900, CRJ-200, A319, A321, ATR 72) · 20 routes: Alicante*, Amsterdam*, Arrecife*, Barcelona*, Berlin*, Fuerteventura*, Gran Canaria*, Ibiza*, La Coruna*, London, Madrid, Malaga*, Milano*, Palma de Mallorca*, Paris*, Santiago*, Sevilla*, Tenerife*, Valencia*, Vigo*
- Vueling Airlines VY (A320) · 16 routes: Alicante, Amsterdam, Arrecife, Barcelona, Berlin, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, La Coruna, London, Malaga, Milano, Palma de Mallorca, Paris, Sevilla, Tenerife
- Air Europa UX (737-800, Embraer 190) · 7 routes: Arrecife, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Paris*, Tenerife
- easyJet U2 (A319, A320) · 4 routes: Geneva, Lisbon, London, Manchester
- Alitalia AZ (A320, Embraer 170, Embraer 190, 32S) · 2 routes: Paris*, Rome
- Germanwings 4U (CRJ, A319) · 2 routes: Duesseldorf, Stuttgart
- Lufthansa Cargo LH (A319, A320, A321, A320, Embraer 195) · 2 routes: Frankfurt, Munich
- Turkish Airlines TK (A320) · 2 routes: Istanbul, Santiago
- Aer Lingus EI (A320) · 1 route: Dublin
- Air Berlin AB (A320, 737-800) · 1 route: Palma de Mallorca
- Air France AF (Embraer 170, Embraer 190) · 1 route: Paris
- Brussels Airlines SN (A319) · 1 route: Brussels
- Hainan Airlines HU (A319) · 1 route: Brussels
- Norwegian Air Shuttle DY (737-800) · 1 route: Oslo
- SATA International S4 (Fokker 100, ERJ-145) · 1 route: Lisbon*
- TAP Portugal TP (Fokker 100, ERJ-145) · 1 route: Lisbon*
- US Airways US (Fokker 100, ERJ-145) · 1 route: Lisbon*
- VOLOTEA Airways V7 (717) · 1 route: Venice
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Fresno de Losa Airstrip 39 km to the centre
CL, ES
Campo de Vuelo de Oteo 41 km to the centre
Oteo, CL, ES
Regional airports
Further out, but often the cheapest way in — the airports the low-cost carriers use. Each links to its own town's guide for getting from there into the city.
Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport (SDR) 74 km to the centre
Santander, CB, ES — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 3 airlines (Ryanair, Iberia Airlines, Vueling Airlines) · direct flights to 17 destinations incl. Barcelona, Arrecife, Bergamo, Charleroi, Dublin… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 74 km from Bilbao · Ryanair, Iberia Airlines, Vueling Airlines · Getting around Santander, Spain →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 3 airlines, 17 direct destinations
- Ryanair FR (737-800) · 16 routes: Arrecife, Barcelona, Bergamo, Charleroi, Dublin, Edinburgh, Gran Canaria, Hahn, London, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Rome, Sevilla, Tenerife, Valencia, Weeze
- Iberia Airlines IB (A319, A320) · 2 routes: Barcelona*, Madrid
- Vueling Airlines VY (A320) · 1 route: Barcelona
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
Pío Baroja plaza
Ferry terminal · 0.7 km from the centre
Embarcadero Getxo
Ferry terminal · 9.2 km from the centre
Portugalete
Ferry terminal · 9.2 km from the centre · Bote Tours
Puerto deportivo El Abra-Getxo
Ferry terminal · 11 km from the centre · Bote Tours
Paseo Reina Victoria
Ferry terminal · 11 km from the centre · Bote Tours
Terminal de Cruceros Getxo I y II
Ferry terminal · 11 km from the centre
El Bote Tours
Ferry route
Gasolino Portugalete - Getxo
Ferry route
Portsmouth-Bilbao
Ferry route
Portsmouth - Bilbao
Ferry route
Rosslare (IRL) - Bilbao (E)
Ferry route · Brittany Ferries
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Bilbao Airport (BIO); 3 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: BIO has direct flights to 35 destinations on 18 airlines (incl. Lisbon, Palma de Mallorca, Arrecife, Gran Canaria, Ibiza…). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Pío Baroja plaza, 0.7 km); routes include El Bote Tours, Gasolino Portugalete - Getxo, Portsmouth-Bilbao.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Bilbao. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Local transit
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Trains & rail
Rail operator
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.
Tours & experiences
Sightseeing