Things to do in Bilbao

Activities, attractions and tours

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao showing night scenes and modern architecture
Bilbao featuring a river or creek, a bridge and a skyscraper
Santiago Cathedral featuring interior views, a church or cathedral and heritage elements
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao featuring street scenes, modern architecture and outdoor art
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao featuring interior views
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Top places to visit

1. San Mames Stadium

Watch national and international soccer games at San Mames Stadium, a 53,000-seat arena that is the home of Athletic Bilbao. This team was founded in 1898 and is a big name in European soccer. The venue also has a museum devoted to the club’s history and is occasionally used for concerts.
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San Mames Stadium which includes a river or creek and modern architecture

2. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

The Guggenheim Museum is a remarkable ensemble of curves and daring forms covered in gleaming titanium panels. It helped to transform Bilbao from a grimy industrial heartland into an exciting cultural destination. Embark on a self-guided tour of this contemporary art museum to view its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.
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Guggenheim Museum Bilbao which includes a city and modern architecture

3. Plaza Nueva

Plaza Nueva is a mid 19th-century neoclassical square in the heart of Bilbao's old quarter. This vast plaza is framed by columns and arches and lined with inviting bars and restaurants. Such is its popularity that it is also known as the true agora, or public place of the old town. Enjoy the architecture and dine on local specialties.
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Plaza Nueva featuring outdoor eating as well as a small group of people

4. Plaza Moyua

Plaza Moyua is a large public square in the central neighborhood of Abando, an attractive space with English- and French-style flower beds. Although a traffic circle, it is a popular meeting place that is also known as the Elliptical Square for its shape. The plaza was designed in the 1940s by architect Jose Luis Salinas and was rebuilt in 1997 following the construction of the city's metro system.
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Plaza Moyua featuring flowers, heritage architecture and a garden

5. Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall

The Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall is a vast multipurpose venue hosting conferences, meetings and shows, including the city's opera season. It is also the home of the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra. This stunning-looking modern building, which resembles a ship under construction, sits on the banks of the Nervión River on the site of the former Euskalduna shipyard. .
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Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall

What to do in Bilbao

Popular places to visit

San Mames Stadium which includes a river or creek and modern architecture

San Mames Stadium

4/5(22 reviews)

Join local soccer fans and shout your support for a well-known European team that calls this spectacular stadium its home.

San Mames Stadium
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao which includes a city and modern architecture

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

4.5/5(101 reviews)

Investigate a vast collection of modern and contemporary art both inside and outside one of the most recognizable buildings in Bilbao.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Plaza Nueva featuring outdoor eating as well as a small group of people

Plaza Nueva

5/5(2 reviews)

Feast on an appetizing variety of local gourmet dishes while marveling at the architectural splendor of this popular city plaza.

Plaza Nueva
Plaza Moyua featuring flowers, heritage architecture and a garden

Plaza Moyua

4/5(67 reviews)

Take time out in this attractive city plaza and contemplate the beauty and majesty of the architecture of the surrounding historical buildings.

Plaza Moyua
Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall

Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall

4/5(21 reviews)

Attend a conference, concert or dramatic performance, go on a guided tour and browse an eclectic collection of art at this riverside venue.

Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall
Vizcaya Bridge

Vizcaya Bridge

4/5(53 reviews)

You can find out about the history of Bilbao with a trip to Vizcaya Bridge. Visit the shops and lively bars in this walkable area.

Vizcaya Bridge
Gran Casino Bilbao

Gran Casino Bilbao

Why not roll the dice with a visit to Gran Casino Bilbao during your time in Bilbao? Stroll along the riverfront or visit the shops in the area.

Gran Casino Bilbao
Ribera Market showing a city, a river or creek and heritage architecture

Ribera Market

4.5/5(7 reviews)

Bring your shopping bags for three floors of market stalls at this centuries-old fresh produce market in the city’s historical quarter.

Ribera Market
Bilbao City Hall which includes a city, modern architecture and street scenes

Bilbao City Hall

4/5(19 reviews)

Tour the interior and exterior of an architectural gem, an important government building that lies close to Bilbao's old town.

Bilbao City Hall

Areas of Bilbao

San Mames Stadium which includes a river or creek and modern architecture

Bilbao City Centre

4.5/5(33 area reviews)

Bilbao City Centre is highly notable for its fascinating museums, and you might want to visit top sights like Plaza Moyua and Gran Casino Bilbao. See more of Bilbao by jumping on the metro at Moyua Station or Abando Station.

Bilbao City Centre
Ribera Market featuring interior views, a bar and food

Bilbao Old Town

4.5/5(49 area reviews)

Discover characterful bars, historic architecture, colorful independent stores and much more amid the largely pedestrianized streets of Bilbao’s atmospheric heart.

Bilbao Old Town
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao featuring street scenes, modern architecture and outdoor art

Abando

4.5/5(118 area reviews)

Ample dining options, fascinating museums, and beautiful river views are just a few top things to explore in Abando. A visit to Plaza Moyua or Ensanche might round out your trip, and you can jump aboard the metro at Moyua Station or Indautxu Station to get around town.

Abando
Plaza Moyua which includes flowers, a garden and a fountain

Indautxu

While you're in Indautxu, take in top sights like Ensanche or Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Indautxu Station or Sabino Arana Tram Stop.

Indautxu
Plaza Nueva featuring outdoor eating as well as a small group of people

Casco Viejo

Museums, theatres and historical sites highlight some notable features of Casco Viejo. Make a stop by Plaza Nueva or Museum of Archaeology Bizkaya while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Casco Viejo Station or Arriga Tram Stop to get around town.

Casco Viejo
Bilbao showing a city, night scenes and modern architecture

Ibaiondo

If you're spending time in Ibaiondo, check out sights like Bizkaia Frontoia or Ribera Market and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Atxuri Tram Station or Ribera Tram Stop.

Ibaiondo
Photo "Barakaldo" by Fernando Vázquez (CC BY) / Cropped from original
Photo by Fernando Vázquez (CC BY)

Barakaldo

Bermeo

Bermeo

Photo "Muskiz" by Tim Tregenza (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Tim Tregenza (CC BY-SA)

Muskiz

Photo by Nicole Smelson

Bakio

Photo by Marco

Gatika

Frequently asked questions

Is Bilbao worth visiting?
Renowned for its festivals and dining, discovering awesome things to do in Bilbao is easy. Make sure to add Castle of Butron to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Bilbao?
Castle of Butron and Playa de las Arenas are two excellent places to kick-start your getaway adventures. Remember to check out the dining and shopping options in Bilbao while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Bilbao?
The top tourist attraction in Bilbao is Castle of Butron, so be sure to put it on your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Bilbao?
You can easily enjoy top sights like Palacio de la Diputación Foral de Vizcaya, Museum of Passages of Bilbao and Reproductions Museum Bilbao with a three-day break in Bilbao. On average, many travellers book three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a while longer and venture to Derio.
Is Bilbao a walkable city?
That depends on what you'd like to do and see in Bilbao. Several top attractions, including Palacio de la Diputación Foral de Vizcaya and Museum of Passages of Bilbao, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a stroll around some of Bilbao's neighbourhoods, Bilbao City Centre is 0.48 kilometres away from downtown, while Abando is 0.64 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Bilbao with kids?
If you're looking for activities and sights for all the family, we've got some terrific ideas for what to do in Bilbao with kids.

What to do in Bilbao for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Bilbao, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Museo de la Mineria del Pais Vasco.
Are there free things to do in Bilbao?
In Bilbao, Funicular de Artxanda is a popular spot for anyone wishing to see the city without taking their wallet out. Also, stroll around the parks and other neighbourhoods, and ask for tips from a local tour guide. It's a great way to discover the best free things to do in Bilbao.