Things to do in 

Bilbao

A perennially vibrant and warm spirit rests in the heart of Bilbao. Exploring this Basque city reveals an enchanting mix of modern architecture and traditional charm; it's where aesthetic marvels like the Guggenheim Museum meet old-world mercado at Plaza Nueva. The uniqueness escalates as the seasons change, each highlighting different things to do in Bilbao. One could find themselves immersing in the autumnal hues of the Casco Viejo or witnessing spring unfurl at Parque Doña Casilda. Or delve deeper, beyond the tourist routes, and discover local bakeries and tranquil parks waiting for your discovery. Welcome to Bilbao, a city alive with unruffled, real enchantment.

Explore Bilbao off the beaten path

Skip the usual and slip into Bilbao’s quieter corners with a local guide. You’ll dodge the lines and find easy, real moments that most visitors miss.

Cultural experiences: Catch a Basque pelota match at Frontón Bizkaia in Miribilla in the late afternoon or evening; the cheers and pace feel very local. If you’re here on Sunday morning, browse the collectors’ market in Plaza Nueva, and after dark step into Kafe Antzokia for a Basque folk gig or dance night.

Small museums and galleries: Slide into the Museo de Reproducciones in San Francisco on a quiet weekday afternoon to see classical sculptures in an old market hall. Then cross to Atxuri for the Museo de Arte Sacro, a peaceful look at gilded altarpieces and convent life. If you like contemporary work, pop into Espacio Marzana by the river to catch a small show and chat with the gallerist.

Less crowded scenic viewpoints: For sunset, ride or taxi up to Kobetamendi and watch the city glow, with the river and cranes laid out below. In the morning, stroll to Etxebarria Park by the old chimney for a wide view over Casco Viejo while locals walk their dogs.

Shop for local products & souvenirs: Try on a txapela at Sombrerería Gorostiaga in the Old Town; the staff will help you find the right size and shape. Swing by La Manducateca in Indautxu in the afternoon for wedges of Idiazabal and other Basque cheeses to pack, plus a bottle of local cider. On a weekday late morning, work your way through Mercado de la Ribera and pick up tins of bonito or anchovies from Ortiz or Zallo and vacuum-packed chorizo from the charcutería stalls.

Popular neighbourhoods

Meandering through diverse city neighbourhoods provides grand narratives in miniature form, with each offering a snapshot of urban life.

Casco Viejo: Discover Bilbao's essence in its older section. Anecdotes from the past echo in the narrow lanes, while the hum of contemporary urban life adds vibrancy.

Abandoibarra: Dive into this former industrial district now transformed into a cultural hotspot. Landmark buildings like the Guggenheim Museum impose themselves on the skyline, a visual feast of futuristic architecture.

Abando: Savour the flavour of late 19th-century grandeur. Wide boulevards accommodate the city's finest examples of Belle Époque architecture, combining style and substance.

Indautxu: Experience Bilbao's pulsing nightlife scene. Streets here buzz after sundown, serving city life hot and sizzling with a platter of music, entertainment and gastronomic delights.

Deusto: Explore knowledge and tradition in Bilbao's university district. Impressive architecture, verdant lawns and the bustle of young academics balance scholastic pursuit with historic charm.

Things to do in Bilbao by season

Spring: Snack on pintxos between riverfront walks as terraces open from Casco Viejo to Abandoibarra. Families bike the flat paths while couples linger on bridges for Guggenheim reflections at dusk.

Summer: Split days between city art and nearby beaches, then let evenings stretch with music on plazas and cool air off the estuary. Late August brings nightly fireworks and street theatre that keep the centre buzzing.

Fall: Follow harvest season into nearby Rioja Alavesa on easy day trips, then return for galleries, design pop-ups, and cosy bars as nights turn crisp. Runners and spectators line streets during the Bilbao Night Marathon.

Winter: Watch Christmas lights sweep the Gran Vía, sample seasonal sweets at markets, and slide between warm taverns when showers pass. Museums feel spacious and unhurried for seniors and families.

Aste Nagusia in late August fills Bilbao with giant puppets, concerts, and fireworks, while December’s Santo Tomás market brings farmhouse produce and folk music to the old town. Community parades and seasonal celebrations keep traditions front and centre year after year.