Spain · 3 days · 17 stops
3 days in Bilbao – a ready-made itinerary
Bilbao is an industrial city that has reinvented itself around its river. Day one covers the old town with the market and the view from Artxanda, day two the Guggenheim and the Abando district, and day three the estuary with the Vizcaya Bridge. The stops are in walking order.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 17 stops
- Highlights
- Basilica of Begoña, Zubizuri, Portugalete old town, Siete Calles, Santiago Cathedral
- Where to stay
- Casco Viejo (old town), Abando
- Getting around
- The old town, the riverside and Abando are all within walking distance.
- Best time to go
- May to September is the most pleasant.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Top things to do in Bilbao
14 places you should not miss in Bilbao – each one is in the plan below with a time and the way there.
- Basilica of BegoñaThe church of the city's patron saint stands on a hill above the old town. Walk down the long Mallona steps straight into the Casco Viejo.Day 1
Siete CallesThe seven parallel lanes are the oldest part of the city. Small shops, bars and doorways with bay windows.Day 1- Santiago CathedralA Gothic cathedral in the middle of the lanes. It lies on the coastal route of the Camino de Santiago and is dedicated to Saint James.Day 1
Plaza NuevaA 19th-century neoclassical square with arcades all round. Many pintxo bars sit under the arches.Day 1
Artxanda FunicularThe funicular from 1915 runs up the city's local hill. From the top you see the whole valley with the river, the old town and the Guggenheim.Day 1
ZubizuriSantiago Calatrava's white footbridge. The glass deck is slippery in the rain, so take it slowly.Day 2
Guggenheim MuseumFrank Gehry's titanium-clad building by the river. Jeff Koons' flower dog Puppy sits in front, Louise Bourgeois' spider Maman behind.Day 2
Abando stationThe hall has a large stained-glass window with scenes of work and everyday life in the Basque Country.Day 2- Fine Arts MuseumAn art museum with works from the Middle Ages to today, including El Greco and Goya as well as Basque painters.Day 2
- Doña Casilda ParkA city park right next to the museum with a pond and old trees. A calm end to a day of museums.Day 2
- Portugalete old townSteep lanes with a Gothic basilica at the top of the hill and a promenade along the estuary.Day 3
- Vizcaya BridgeThe world's oldest transporter bridge, from 1893, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A gondola carries pedestrians and cars across the river to Las Arenas.Day 3
- Paseo de las Grandes VillasA waterfront path in Getxo past large villas built by industrialists around 1900. It leads to the old harbour.Day 3
- Azkuna ZentroaAn old wine warehouse turned into a cultural centre by Philippe Starck. The hall ceiling rests on columns, no two of them alike.Day 3
Day 1
Casco Viejo and Artxanda
Basilica of Begoña
The church of the city's patron saint stands on a hill above the old town. Walk down the long Mallona steps straight into the Casco Viejo.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Basilica of Begoñaabout 15 min on foot
Siete Calles
The seven parallel lanes are the oldest part of the city. Small shops, bars and doorways with bay windows.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Siete Callesright next door
Santiago Cathedral
A Gothic cathedral in the middle of the lanes. It lies on the coastal route of the Camino de Santiago and is dedicated to Saint James.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Santiago Cathedralabout 5 min on foot
Plaza Nueva
A 19th-century neoclassical square with arcades all round. Many pintxo bars sit under the arches.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Plaza Nuevaabout 5 min on foot
La Ribera Market
One of the largest covered markets in Europe, right on the river. Alongside the fish and vegetable stalls there are pintxo counters for lunch.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): La Ribera Marketabout 25 min on foot
Artxanda Funicular
The funicular from 1915 runs up the city's local hill. From the top you see the whole valley with the river, the old town and the Guggenheim.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Artxanda Funicular
Day 2
Guggenheim and Abando
Zubizuri
Santiago Calatrava's white footbridge. The glass deck is slippery in the rain, so take it slowly.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Zubizuriabout 10 min on foot
Guggenheim Museum
Frank Gehry's titanium-clad building by the river. Jeff Koons' flower dog Puppy sits in front, Louise Bourgeois' spider Maman behind.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Guggenheim Museumabout 15 min on foot
Pintxos on Calle Ledesma
A pedestrian street in the Abando district lined with bars. At lunchtime it fills with people from the surrounding offices.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pintxos on Calle Ledesmaright next door
Abando station
The hall has a large stained-glass window with scenes of work and everyday life in the Basque Country.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Abando stationabout 15 min on foot
Fine Arts Museum
An art museum with works from the Middle Ages to today, including El Greco and Goya as well as Basque painters.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Fine Arts Museumabout 5 min on foot
Doña Casilda Park
A city park right next to the museum with a pond and old trees. A calm end to a day of museums.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Doña Casilda Park
Day 3
Vizcaya Bridge and Getxo
Portugalete and Getxo are at the river mouth, outside Bilbao. The metro runs from the centre, about 25–30 minutes.
Portugalete old town
Steep lanes with a Gothic basilica at the top of the hill and a promenade along the estuary.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Portugalete old townabout 5 min on foot
Vizcaya Bridge
The world's oldest transporter bridge, from 1893, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A gondola carries pedestrians and cars across the river to Las Arenas.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Vizcaya Bridgeabout 20 min on foot
Paseo de las Grandes Villas
A waterfront path in Getxo past large villas built by industrialists around 1900. It leads to the old harbour.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Paseo de las Grandes Villasabout 25 min on foot
Algorta Old Port
A former fishing village with white houses on the slope above the sea. The lanes have bars serving pintxos and fish.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Algorta Old PortMetro back to Bilbao, about 25 min.
Azkuna Zentroa
An old wine warehouse turned into a cultural centre by Philippe Starck. The hall ceiling rests on columns, no two of them alike.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Azkuna Zentroa
Good to know
Best time to go
May to September is the most pleasant. Bilbao lies in the green north and it rains more often throughout the year than in southern Spain, so pack a rain jacket. Midsummer is rarely very hot. During the Aste Nagusia festival week in August the city is crowded.
Getting around
The old town, the riverside and Abando are all within walking distance. The metro, with Norman Foster's glass entrances, takes you out to the coast at Portugalete and Getxo, and the tram runs along the river. Buy tickets at the machines.
Where to stay
Casco Viejo (old town)
Right among the market, the cathedral and the pintxo bars. Everything on foot, partly noisy at night.
Abando
The district between the old town and the Guggenheim with the main station, quieter and well connected by metro and train.
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More on Bilbao in our blog: Northern Spain itinerary: 10 days to Santiago · How many days in Bilbao? Plans for 1–4 days
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Bilbao: frequently asked questions
What are the must-see sights in Bilbao?
The must-see sights in Bilbao are Basilica of Begoña, Siete Calles, Santiago Cathedral, Plaza Nueva, Artxanda Funicular and Zubizuri. This plan links 14 of them into short walks over 3 days – with times, a map and tips.
Are 3 days enough for Bilbao?
Yes, for the old town, the Guggenheim, Artxanda and the estuary. With more time, visit the rocky islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe or spend a day in San Sebastián.
How long do you need for the Guggenheim?
Allow about three hours. You can see the sculptures outside by the river without a ticket.
How do people eat in Bilbao?
As everywhere in the Basque Country: pintxos at the bar, usually standing, in several bars one after another. At lunchtime many places also offer a set menu of the day.
What does Bilbo mean?
Bilbo is the Basque name of the city. Signs and timetables usually show both names.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Naotake Murayama, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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