The largest city in Northern Spain, Bilbao has been an important commercial hub throughout its long history. Following a heavy industrialization period in the 19th century, Bilbao has now emerged as a hub for art and architecture, a pulsating modern city waiting to be discovered by all wanderers willing to take the trip to the Basque Country in Spain's North for a look into one of the country's most authentic nooks.
Bilbao has been around since 1300, but as a destination, it made its debut on the international scene in October 1997. That was when the Guggenheim opened, the most audacious building of the 20th century.
- Sankha Guha
Without a doubt, Bilbao's most celebrated attraction is the excellent Guggenheim Museum. Equally impressive to the modern and contemporary art exhibits within its walls is the museum's very building, a unique structure that has become the symbol of Bilbao. Other things to see in Bilbao include the Fine Arts Museum and the city's Cathedral. Yet, Bilbao isn't just about sightseeing. This vibrant city invites you on an unparalleled journey for all your senses. From mouthwatering pintxos and seafood dishes to the exotic-sounding Basque language - the last surviving Paleo-European language - to spectacular seascapes, Bilbao has it all.
Things to do in Bilbao
Without a doubt a major feature of your time in Bilbao will be a visit to the Guggenheim, and almost certainly a pintxos (Basque tapas) tour is a must, but you'll also discover that Bilbao is the perfect base for exploring along the coast, perhaps to San Sebastian, or inland, to Spain's most famous wine region, La Rioja. We've hand-picked the best city walking tours and day trips, in both private and small group versions.
Where to stay in Bilbao
We believe that where you stay can make a big difference to your experience of a city, so we've inspected dozens of hotels in Bilbao to arrive at a selection that allows you to choose between large and small, from 3 to 5 star. Once we start preparing your custom itinerary we will provide detailed recommendations to fit your preferences and budget.

Modern Design Hotel
Centrally located hotel near all the highlights.

Modern Central Hotel

Modern Luxury Hotel
Modern elegance and located directly opposite the iconic Guggenheim Museum.
Where can you go from Bilbao?
Looking to continue your adventure? Here are some popular destinations to visit from Bilbao.
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Glowing Reviews from Our Guests
Average of our Guest's Ratings of our trip packages including Bilbao, based on 1 review

JayWay Travel was awesome. Such professional service and always a quick response to any questions or concerns we had. Åll of our connections and transfers to hotels were seamless. We will use JayWay Travel again and again!
– Jacquie & Guy, Indiana
Year : 2025
Visited : Spain, France
Itinerary : San Sebastian, Bilbao, Marseille, Roads Scholar, Barcelona
Rating :
Visited : Spain, France
Itinerary : San Sebastian, Bilbao, Marseille, Roads Scholar, Barcelona
Rating :
5 / 5




