Visit Bilbao in 2 Days
Updated in May 2024
International tourists tend to visit Madrid, Barcelona, or Seville when they travel to Spain. However, the northern part of the country is full of hidden gems worth exploring. Bilbao is one of them. I lived there during my first years on the Iberian Peninsula. I spent 4 years thoroughly exploring the city, trying out its bars, visiting its museums… So, follow me to visit Bilbao in 2 days!
Bilbao in a nutshell
What to See in Bilbao? My Favorite Tours
Visit Bilbao in 2 days
Bilbao is the ideal city for an urban weekend, blending culture and gastronomy. Although exploring it in just 2 days is possible, spending more time there will allow you to get to know it better.
Here is a perfect itinerary for a short getaway:
Day 1: from la Ría to Indautxu
9:00 AM — 10:00 AM: Take the Artxanda Funicular
10:00 AM — 10:30 AM: CROSS THE ZUBIZURI BRIDGE
10:30 AM — 12:30 PM: Visit the Guggenheim Museum
12:30 PM — 2:00 PM: Lunch at Bistro
Located in the Guggenheim, this restaurant offers a menu featuring healthy and flavorful ingredients. Their terrace provides a lovely view of the river.
2:00 PM — 3:00 PM: Stroll Along the Ría
3:00 PM — 4:00 PM: Relax at Parque Doña Casilda
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Visit the Fine Arts Museum
5:00 PM — 6:00 PM: Stroll Through Indautxu
6:00 PM — 7:00 PM: Discover the Alhondiga
7:00 PM — 8:00 PM: Have a drink at Yandiola
Yandiola is a restaurant with a terrace located on top of the Alhóndiga, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a gin and tonic in a chill atmosphere.
8:00 PM — 10:00 PM: Dinner at one of the city's many restaurants
Day 2: from Casco Viejo to Gran Vía
9:00 AM — 10:00 AM: Make a Pilgrimage to the Basilica of Begoña
10:00 AM — 11:00 AM: Explore the 7 Streets and Casco Viejo
11:00 AM — 12:00 PM: Visit the Santiago Cathedral
Formerly a church, then a basilica, and now a cathedral, this monument is older than the city itself. Built in Gothic style, it features only one bell tower.
Inside, its naves invite you to pause and admire the light filtering through its stained-glass windows before continuing your visit.
12:00 PM — 1:00 PM: Enjoy Pintxos at Plaza Nueva
In the heart of Casco Viejo, there is a square that brings together both tourists and locals, especially on Sunday mornings when numismatics and philately stands fill the area. This is Plaza Nueva.
Here, you’ll find the headquarters of Euskaltzaindia, the Academy of the Basque Language, and many bars and restaurants where you can enjoy the famous pintxos as an appetizer.
1:00 PM — 2:00 PM: Lunch at the Mercado de La Ribera
2:00 PM — 3:00 PM: Visit the Teatro Arriaga
3:00 PM — 4:00 PM: Admire the Stained Glass at Abando Station
4:00 PM — 6:00 PM: Shop on Gran Vía
What to do around Bilbao?
TOUR TO VITORIA
Discover the historical heritage of another important Basque city!
A quick visit to Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and San Sebastian.
Discover the summer destination of Biarritz, the charming town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and the renowned San Sebastian.
Discover San Sebastian and the Basque coast.
Enjoy a flexible and personalized itinerary on this private tour that will take you to discover San Sebastian and the Basque coast.
Wine tour in La Rioja.
Discover what makes La Rioja the top wine region in the country!
How many days to explore Bilbao?
Visit Bilbao in 1 day
If you only have one day to explore the city, here’s a list of must-sees!
- Funiculaire Artxanda
- Puente Zubizuri
- Museo Guggenheim
- Casco Viejo y las 7 Calles
- Cathédrale de Santiago
- Plaza Nueva
VISIT BILBAO IN 3 DAYS
If you have the chance to stay for 3 days, I recommend following the 2-day itinerary to explore Bilbao and adding these metro-accessible places to discover a bit of the region:
- Algorta, a charming green and white fishing village
- Portugalete, famous for its suspended bridge
- Half a day at Neguri beach
Best Time to Visit Bilbao
How to get to Bilbao?
If you are already in Spain, you can also reach the city by train or bus.
How to get around Bilbao?
Where to Stay in Bilbao?
Although Bilbao isn’t one of the largest cities in Spain, it is quite big.
Therefore, some neighborhoods are preferable if you’re only staying a few days and want to avoid wasting too much time on public transport.
Here are 3 neighborhoods to focus on for 2 days in Bilbao or a bit more:
- Casco Viejo: This is the quintessential tourist area, full of charm. It allows you to explore the main attractions while enjoying its culinary and nightlife offerings.
- Indautxu: A much less touristy neighborhood, making it more affordable. You’ll immerse yourself in local life while still being close to the Guggenheim and Casco Viejo, which you can reach on foot.
- Abando: This neighborhood offers a good balance between the two. You can enjoy the local gastronomy while being close to the main tourist attractions and the train station.
Being a digital nomad in Bilbao
- The Wi-Fi is excellent;
- There are several cafés to work in;
- A few coworking spaces are also available;
- There is a small expatriate community;
- The city offers a rich cultural scene;
- There are many restaurants, bars, and nightclubs to try;
- The beach is never far away;
- It’s a great base to explore the rest of the Basque Country;
- And also Cantabria, Navarre, and even France!
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Responsible travel in Bilbao
Like everywhere else, it’s advisable to be a responsible traveler when staying in Bilbao.
Here is a list of 8 actions to implement for your upcoming getaway:
- Opt for public transport to get around the city;
- Stay in environmentally-friendly accommodations;
- Prefer walking or biking to explore the city;
- Participate in guided tours or ecotourism activities that highlight local nature and culture;
- Consume local and seasonal products;
- Reduce water and energy consumption in your accommodation;
- Avoid single-use products as much as possible;
- Participate in waste cleanup actions in the city’s parks.
That’s it, we’ve reached the end of this article guiding you to visit Bilbao in 2 days.
The Basque city is one that I love, so I can only recommend that you discover it and take the opportunity to learn more about Euskera and the unique culture of this region of Spain.
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