Casco Viejo
For those who want to sleep among pintxo bars and medieval streets. It is very lively at night, so choose your street carefully if noise bothers you.
Itinerary · Bilbao
Bilbao in 5 days: day-by-day itinerary
A 5-day itinerary for Bilbao: Casco Viejo, the Guggenheim, the Bizkaia Bridge, Artxanda and a day trip to San Sebastián, with practical tips.
- 5days
- 16stops
- 9Areas
This 5-day itinerary is for those who want to get to know Bilbao at a relaxed pace and also see a little of its surroundings. Four days in the city and on the coast, and a fifth for a day trip to San Sebastián.
From Bilbao airport you have three options. The Bizkaibus A3247 bus goes to the centre (Gran Vía, Plaza Moyúa and Alameda Recalde) and to Termibus station, with departures roughly every 15 minutes. A taxi, about 12 km, takes around 20 minutes to the centre. And if you want to go straight to San Sebastián, the Lurraldebus DO04 bus leaves the airport about once an hour.
Tips
- Book the Guggenheim in advance, especially in high season and at weekends.
- Bring an umbrella or raincoat: rain is common in Bilbao all year round and the weather changes quickly.
- A rechargeable transport card works out cheaper than single tickets if you will be using the metro, tram and bus.
- Pintxos are charged per piece, usually at the end: keep the toothpicks or ask the waiter how they are counted in each bar.
- The metro reaches Getxo, Portugalete and Plentzia, and is the best way to explore the coast without a car.
- The slopes in the Casco Viejo and Begoña are noticeable: wear comfortable shoes.
Day 1
Casco Viejo, Ribera and Begoña
Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo
Start with the Siete Calles, the Cathedral of Santiago and the Plaza Nueva, the medieval heart of the city. A guided tour helps you understand how each street came about and uncover corners you would miss on your own.
Mercado de la Ribera
Casco Viejo
A large covered market beside the estuary, a few minutes' walk from the Plaza Nueva. It is a good place to see local produce and have a bite in the pintxos area.
Basílica de Begoña
Begoña
The sanctuary of the patron saint of Biscay overlooks the city from above. You climb on foot up a long staircase from the Casco Viejo, and at the top there are good views over the rooftops.
Pintxos in the Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo
Have dinner going from pintxo to pintxo and bar to bar, with a small beer or a txakoli at each stop. Order whatever is freshly made at the bar and don't stay too long in any one place.
Day 2
The Guggenheim, the estuary and Abando
Museo Guggenheim Bilbao
Abandoibarra
Frank Gehry's titanium-clad museum is the symbol of the city. Outside you will find the spider "Maman" and the dog "Puppy"; book your ticket in advance and set aside the whole morning.
Walk along the estuary and Zubizuri
Abandoibarra
Walk along the bank of the estuary to the Zubizuri footbridge, designed by Calatrava. It is a flat, easy and very pleasant stroll on towards the centre.
Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao
Doña Casilda
A good collection of old and contemporary art, with Basque works and Spanish and European masters. It stands next to Doña Casilda park, ideal for a rest afterwards.
Gran Vía and Plaza Moyúa
Abando
Modern, commercial Bilbao, with the elegant Plaza Moyúa and the Hotel Carlton. For dinner, try the bars around Calle Ledesma, famous for their pintxos.
Day 3
The Bizkaia Bridge, Portugalete and Getxo
Puente de Bizkaia
Portugalete
A transporter bridge from 1893, a World Heritage Site, linking Portugalete and Getxo. You get there by metro from the centre and cross in the suspended gondola; you can also go up to the high walkway.
Portugalete
Portugalete
A town with a historic centre on the bank of the estuary, with steep streets and quiet corners. It is a good place for a stroll before crossing to the other side.
Las Arenas and the estuary walk
Getxo
Across the bridge you reach Las Arenas, with stately houses from the early 20th century. The walk along the estuary to the Puerto Viejo de Algorta is flat and very pleasant.
Puerto Viejo de Algorta
Getxo
A fishermen's quarter of narrow streets with plenty of pintxo and raciones bars, ideal for lunch. Afterwards, take the metro back to the centre of Bilbao.
Day 4
Artxanda, Azkuna Zentroa and Doña Casilda
Funicular de Artxanda
Artxanda
A historic funicular climbs from the centre to Mount Artxanda in a few minutes. From the viewpoint, the view of the whole city and the estuary is among the best you can get.
Azkuna Zentroa
Ensanche
A former wine warehouse converted into a cultural centre by Philippe Starck, with a very photogenic pool of columns. It is an interesting stop for architecture without spending much time.
Parque de Doña Casilda
Doña Casilda
A quiet park with a pond and ducks, in the heart of the museum district. Perfect for a stroll or a coffee.
Day 5 · Day trip
San Sebastián
San Sebastián
San Sebastián (Donostia) is just over an hour from Bilbao by direct bus, with frequent departures from the airport and the city. Stroll through the Old Town and along La Concha beach, climb Mount Igueldo or Urgull if you have time, and don't leave without trying the pintxos in its narrow streets.
Bilbao
Where to stay in Bilbao
Abando and Gran Vía
A central, well-connected area near Abando station and the Guggenheim, with shops, good hotels and easy access to the metro.
Abandoibarra
Next to the Guggenheim and the estuary, with modern hotels and a calmer atmosphere. Ideal for strolling along the bank.
Getxo
For those who prefer a beach, a village feel and a direct metro to central Bilbao, with a more relaxed offering than the city.
Itinerary · Bilbao
More Bilbao itineraries
3 days
Bilbao in 3 days
- Day 1 Casco Viejo, Ribera and Begoña
- Day 2 The Guggenheim, the estuary and Abando
- Day 3 The Bizkaia Bridge, Portugalete and Getxo
7 days
Bilbao in 7 days
- Day 1 Casco Viejo, Ribera and Begoña
- Day 2 The Guggenheim, the estuary and Abando
- Day 3 The Bizkaia Bridge, Portugalete and Getxo
- Day 4 Artxanda, Azkuna Zentroa and Doña Casilda
- + 3 days
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to see Bilbao?
Three days are enough to see the Guggenheim, the Casco Viejo and the coast around the Bizkaia Bridge. With more time you can add excursions such as San Sebastián.
What is worth booking before you travel?
The Guggenheim ticket and, if you want a guided experience, the pintxos tour or the Casco Viejo visit. The rest can be decided as you go.
How do you get to San Sebastián from Bilbao?
There are direct buses, including a line from the airport, and the journey takes a little over an hour. It makes a very easy day trip.
Can this itinerary be done without a car?
Yes. Bilbao can be explored on foot, by metro and by tram, and Portugalete and Getxo can be reached by metro from the centre.
Photo credits
- Casco Viejo: Zarateman, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Mercado de la Ribera: PA, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Basílica de Begoña: Gorigori, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Museo Guggenheim Bilbao: Naotake Murayama, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Puente de Bizkaia: Ebaki, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons