A Budget guide to Bilbao, Spain
There’s much more to Basque country’s biggest city than Frank Gehry’s iconic Guggenheim Museum. Beyond its stunning modern architecture, this gritty but charming metropolis is packed with historic churches and government buildings, and traditional shops on narrow cobblestone streets.
An industrial center since the Roman era, Bilbao (Bilbo in Basque) is a combination of ancient roots and ultra-modern architecture that’s certainly worth exploring. When you tire of wandering around, laze on a beach on the outskirts of the city, or pop into a one of the cozy restaurants or bars for a break.
Due to the level of quality that Basques demand when it comes to food and drink, dining out can be slightly more expensive here than in some Spanish cities, but there are plenty of affordable options to be had, even in Bilbao’s popular old town.
Here are our favorite tips to stretch your Euros further without missing out on anything important.
Getting to Bilbao
From all around Europe, fly budget airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, and Vueling directly into the Bilbao airport starting around €100 for round-trip flights. Make your plans as far in advance as you can manage, and go carry-on only for the best deals. SYou can search for affordable flights on EuroCheapo. If you’re already in Spain, there are also plenty of trains and buses from the big cities. The train trip takes under 5 hours from Madrid and around 6.5 hours from Barcelona.
Wandering the streets of the Old Town in Bilbao. Photo: dbaron
Free entertainment and attractions
Treat yourself to a self-guided tour
Stroll the city, getting to know Bilbao’s eclectic mixture of old and new when it comes to architecture. If you prefer historic buildings, roam the old town in search of the elegant Arriaga Theatre, statues of Hercules guarding the renaissance style Arana Palace, the gothic city cathedral, and the art nouveau Ribera Market. Prefer the sleekly modern? Snap shots of the Guggenheim and the large-scale outdoor sculptures that surround it (there’s no charge for gawking at it from the outside). Then follow the Rio Nervión riverwalk to the soaring Isozaki Atea skyscrapers and the glass-bottomed Zubizuri Bridge.
Spend time in nature
Make your way to Doña Caslida Iturrizar Park and wander in the shade of hundred-year-old trees and feed the ducks. Or pack a picnic and a towel and hop the metro to Las Arenas or Barinatxe-La Salvaje beaches, easily reached via Bilbao’s metro system.
Free museums
The Guggenheim is never free, but a fair number of the city’s other institutions are free at least once a week. On Wednesdays, you can admire masterpieces by great artists like El Greco, Gauguin, and Goya in the second largest museum in Basque country, the Museo de Bellas Artes without paying the €7 admission fee. On Thursdays, choose between exploring Bilbao’s seafaring and industrial history at the Museo Maritimo, housed in a former shipyard and learning about Basque culture and traditions at the Euskal Museoa Bilbao free of charge.
Cheap food & drink
Basque country is known throughout Spain — and the world — as an amazing place to eat. This reputation comes from Basque’s focus on the purity and freshness of ingredients used in cuisine, which doesn’t always translate to low prices. Even so, there are still inexpensive eats to be had around Bilbao.
Pintxos: The Basque version of tapas
Want to try local cuisine without breaking the bank? Opt for pintxos, the local version of tapas, small bites served on toast and speared through with toothpicks, typical in bars and cafeterias around Basque country. Most often, pintxos are served on the honor system where you make your selection at the counter, and pay by presenting the toothpicks from the pintxos you ate before you leave. The best place to snack on a wide selection of pintxos on the cheap is El Figon (c/Obispo Orueta, 1) where all pintxos are priced at the same unbelievable price — €1.
Filling fare for less
For more filling fare there are sandwiches and fixed price menus. If you’re willing to wait in line for it, at Bar EME (c/Concha Jeneralare, 5), there’s a wide selection of filling sandwiches to be had for €4 or less or head to The Bite (c/Buenos Aires, 15) for set daily menus starting at €5.99, including two courses with a drink, not to mention Bilbao’s cheapest beer pitchers!
For a more formal Basque meal, up your budget just a bit with a weekday menu of one or two courses with dessert and drinks for €10-15 at Restaurant Pentxo (c/Belostikale, 20).
Related: A Trip through the Basque region
The view from a room with a balcony at Hotel Casual Curea. Photo: Courtesy of the hote
Affordable accommodations
Bilbao, like many Spanish cities, has a good selection of budget hotels and guesthouses on offer with private rooms starting around €50 per night. Stick to centrally located lodging to save money and time on transit and getting around the city. For extra savings, try staying at hostels, where prices start around €10 per person for a bed in a shared room.
We recommend budget-friendly options that don’t sacrifice on location or creature comforts like private bathrooms such as Ibis Bilbao Center, Casual Gurea, and Hotel Sirimiri.
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