ONE Day In Bilbao? Here’s How To Spend It

Bilbao is a beautiful city in the Basque Country in northern Spain. It is extremely lively, modern and definitely worth visiting. It is so much more than its famous Guggenheim museum. Bilbao is a beautiful blend of lush green nature, modern infrastructure, extraordinary food scene and the laid-back Spanish lifestyle. Bilbao is still a hidden gem in Spain, that is yet to become popular among foreigners.

If you are also planing on visiting Bilbao and are wondering which are the major sights and how much time you would need, you will find the answer in this article. We have listed the obvious sights, as well as some lesser known, but amazing places.

Let’s dive into my favourite things to do and see in Bilbao. Because it is a quite walkable city, you can squeeze most of them in just one day.

Artxanda viewpoint

The city of Bilbao is nestled between many hills. One of them is the Artxanda hill and you can enjoy some stunning views over the city from up there. To get to the famous viewpoint you can use the Funicular de Artxanda (cable car). The access station (Plaza del Funicular) is just a 10-minute walk from the City Hall. A train departs every 15 minutes and it will get you to the upper station in just 3 minutes.

The best thing about Artxanda is that is so much more than a viewpoint. It is a part of the city that offers a wide variety of leisure activities. If you have more time in Bilbao, you could explore the park, that is at the top of the hill. The locals love to gather with friends there, have a picknick or play a game. Apart from the park, there is a public swimming pool, playgrounds and many Basque restaurants.

If you want to spend more time there, you definetely have to check their website here. There is a list with all the activities and restaurants, as well as opening hours and you can also purchase tickets for the cable car there, but you can just buy them before boarding, too.

Old town (Casco viejo)

Bilbao’s old town might not be as big as in other famous Spanish cities, but it is certainly worth a visit. There is a lovely little square infront of the cathedral (Plaza Santiago) and a bigger neoclassical one (Plaza nueva) that is surrounded by arches and buildings hosting various pubs and cafes. Personally, we loved how lively Casco viejo actually is and by that I don’t mean full of tourists and souvenier shops. There are a quite a few places to eat, little cafes, bakeries and a lot of boutique shops. The buildings are also really colourful and cheerful that you wont want to leave this beautiful part of Bilbao. It perfectly represents the laid back lifestyle Spain is famous for.

Plaza nueva in the Old town is a great place to have lunch while enjoying the view and admiring the architecture. Alternatively, head to the famous food market Mercado de la Ribera, that is just at the other end of the Old town and by the river.

Mercado de la Ribera (food market)

When travelling, we love to go to food markets. They are usually packed with lots of different types of local cuisine, fresh produce and lively atmosphere. The Mercado in Bilbao is no exception. Although not as big as some of the other food markets in Spain, it is brilliant place to go for a break after exploring the Old town. On the first floor there is a food court, with around 10 different stalls, offering various Pintxos (Basque tapas), pastries and drinks. You can also sit at some of the many tables and enjoy a quick meal or drink. The rest of the place is a market, offering fresh meat, fish, dairy, fruits and vegetables.

Walk along the Nervion river

Walking along the Nervion river was one of my favourite things we did in Bilbao and it won’t cost you a dime. For me, there was something really special and calming, although it was quite busy. It also felt very authentic with mostly locals enjoying the city park. You can listen to the sound of the river, to the kids playing in one of the many playgrounds, to the dogs barking and the birds singing in the old trees.

I suggest walking on the east shore – from the Arenal park (Аreatzako Parkea) passing through Mercado de las Flores and walking along the beautiful Areatzako promenade to the modern Zubizuri bridge. It is a pedestrian bridge with a futuristic and curved design. You can cross it and finish your walk at the Guggenheim Museum.

Visit the Guggenheim Museum

With its futuristic titanium-clad structure, Guggenheim is easily the most well-known landmark of Bilbao. The museum was opened in 1997, and it helped tremendously to put Bilbao on the cultural scene internationally. In the museum, you can enjoy contemporary art and explore various exhibitions. It is a must-see if you’re interested in the modern arts. However, if you have absolutely no idea of contemporary art, like us, it is definitely enough to enjoy the architecture of the Guggenheim on the outside. If you have more time and still want a peek inside, you can go for it, but you probably won’t understand most of the exhibitions, as they are quite abstract.

The Guggenheim is open from Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 am to 7 pm. The ticket costs 12 EUR for adults and includes an audio guide. Guided tours are possible for groups, too. You can buy your ticket on their website.

The Puppy

I hadn’t heard of the Puppy before our trip to Bilbao, but oh boy, is it a sweet little thing in front of the gigantic gray structure of the Guggenheim museum. Although it sounds tiny, the Puppy in Bilbao is a 13 m (43 ft) high flower-covered sculpture of a west highland terrier. It has been guarding the Guggenheim since 1997, but it was actually first exibited in Germany in 1992. The Puppy has become a favourite spot for pictures not only for tourists, but for the locals, as well. Fun fact, in 2021 there was even a crowdfunding campain for repairs to the structure. The flowers get exchanged twice a year, so depending on the time of year, it will look a little bit different, but always charming and vibrant.

Have dinner at the Guggenheim

At the Guggenheim there are two restaurants. Nerua is a Michelin-starred restaurant, offering very creative dishes with a corresponding price tag. It has some mixed reviews online because of the food quality and quantity, so I wouldn’t recommend it. The other one is the Bistró Guggenheim. It is a more casual, but still cosy, place for lunch or dinner. They have different options – from a 5-course tasting menu for 39 EUR to a quick lunch (2 courses) for 23 EUR. Either way, I think this is worth it, if you want to explore the Basque cuisine in a more fancy way than street food. They also offer an after-dinner experience on their exclusive terrace with great views towards the river.

Explore the parks

If you want to do all of the above, you might not have time to squeeze one or two walks more in one day, but in case you happen to feel bored and need something more, there are some interesting parks that you can visit for some down-time in nature.

Memoriaren Ibiltokia

This one is located along the river and it streches from the Guggenheim museum to the Zubiarte shopping mall. Translated it means – The Walk of Memory – and there are various sculptures to admire. The park is also a great place to enjoy views of the Guggenheim Museum and it also has a playground for kids.

Doña Casilda de Iturrizar Park

This park is not far away from the one above, but it is located more towards the city centre. I liked it even more, because of its big lush green lawns and many beautiful fountains and ponds. Not to mention, the pergola in the middle is gorgeous. There are also many benches in the shade if you want to relax and recharge your batteries.

Pintxo crawl in the evening

The Basque country is famous for its excuisite cuisine and rightly so. However, the best part is, that you can enjoy the taste of Euskara on a budget, because of the Pintxos. If you want to learn a little bit more about the Pintxos, check this out. Pintxos (pronounced pinchos) are small snacks of different local ingredients, traditionally held together with a skewer or toothpick on a slice of bread. The best thing about them is that they are just a few bites and you can try many different flavours and even at different bars in a single meal. Thats why we did a pintxo tour with a local guide. Although a bit pricey, we had a great evening eating our way into/through the flavours and history of the region.

There are many places, where you can find such experiences – such as AirBnB or Getyourguide. But even without a guided crawl, I highly recommend grabing a few pintxos here and there. La Olla and Berton sasibil in the Old town and Atseden in the downtown area are some of the many good places in Bilbao. La Olla strikes with its wonderful location as well, at Plaza nueva, where you can enjoy your pintxo overlooking the lively square.

Is Bilbao safe?

Bilbao is generally considered a safe city. Like any city, it has its share of petty crime, such as pickpocketing, particularly in crowded areas and on public transportation. Use your common sense and take standard precautions and you can enjoy a safe trip. We felt extremely safe at all times, even at the late night hours, or in public transport.

To sum it all up:

Bilbao’s unique blend of art, history, gastronomy, and nature makes it a captivating destination that offers something for every traveller to enjoy. Whether exploring its cultural landmarks, savoring its culinary delights, or immersing oneself in its natural surroundings, Bilbao never fails to leave a lasting impression.

Even if Bilbao isn’t a popular destination yet, it is such a bustling city, that will stay in your heart. There is always something going on around here, especially in the summer months – from weekly markets, to music or art festivals and much more. So make sure you check their official website or Instagram account for events that might interest you when you visit. To sum it all up, Bilbao definitely won’t disappoint you, with its lively young population, exquisite cuisine and fun activities.