- Bilbao was founded in 1300 by Diego López V de Haro, establishing a port that grew wealthy on the iron trade rather than typical agricultural roots.
- The city developed a unique architectural style known as 'Bilbao Baroque' that features prominently in older residential districts.
- The local language, Euskara, is a language isolate with no known genealogical link to any other living language family.
- The city maintains a robust gastronomic culture defined by 'txikiteo', the tradition of moving from bar to bar to sample bite-sized pintxos.
- Bilbao is the only city in Spain to host a major urban opera festival, the Aste Nagusia, which celebrates local Basque identity.
About Bilbao
Bilbao serves as the primary economic and cultural hub of the Basque Country, defined by its radical 1990s urban transformation that pivoted the industrial port city toward high-design architecture. The iconic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the adjacent floral Puppy sculpture act as anchors for the city's modern identity. Travelers can ascend via the Funicular de Artxanda to the Artxanda viewpoint for a panoramic perspective of the Nervión River valley. Historic culture remains preserved in landmarks like the Bilboko Donejakue Katedrala and the Neo-Baroque Arriaga Theater.
Highlights of Bilbao
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
This Frank Gehry-designed titanium structure is widely credited with the urban renewal of the entire city.
Places of interest
A 12-meter tall West Highland Terrier sculpture covered in fresh flowers stands as a permanent mascot for the city.
Natural attractions
This funicular provides a steep, reliable rail connection from the city center to the surrounding hills.
Places of interest
This site offers the clearest vantage point to understand the city's layout and its relationship with the surrounding mountains.
Places of interest
Designed by Santiago Calatrava, this white arched footbridge is a masterpiece of modern civil engineering.
Venues
This venue hosts a regular calendar of classical music and theater performances in an ornate, river-facing building.
Temples
This 14th-century cathedral features a distinct mix of Gothic architecture and a Cloister that dates back to the 15th century.
Parks
This expansive green space offers a contrast to the urban architecture, housing rare trees and elegant walking paths.
Top things to do in Bilbao
The 465 highest-rated places in Bilbao, ranked by travellers.
1
Museums
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a landmark of contemporary architecture designed by Frank Gehry, featuring a complex str...
2
Places of interest
Artxanda viewpoint is a hilltop observation deck situated on Mount Artxanda, providing a 360-degree panoramic view of Bi...
3
Parks
Urdaibai Biosferaren Erreserba is a UNESCO-designated wetland reserve centered on the Oka River estuary in the Basque Co...
4
Parks
Parque Doña Casilda Iturrizar is Bilbao's primary 19th-century English-style romantic garden located in the Abando distr...
5
Places of interest
Zubizuri, meaning 'white bridge' in Basque, is a tied-arch footbridge crossing the Nervión River in Bilbao. Designed by...
6
Venues
The Arriaga Theater is a neo-baroque opera house located at the edge of Bilbao's Casco Viejo district. Designed by archi...
7
Museums
The Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao serves as one of Spain's most significant art institutions, housing a collection that...
8
Parks
Etxebarria Park serves as one of Bilbao's largest green spaces, occupying the site of a former 19th-century steelworks f...
9
Places of interest
Puppy is a 12.4-meter-tall topiary sculpture of a West Highland white terrier created by American artist Jeff Koons. Loc...
10
Temples
Bilboko Donejakue Katedrala, or the Cathedral of Santiago, stands as the oldest building in Bilbao's Casco Viejo distric...
11
Temples
Begoñako Basilika is a 16th-century sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin of Begoña, the patron saint of Biscay. The current...
12
Natural attractions
The Funicular de Artxanda is a historic cable railway that connects Bilbao’s city center to the summit of Mount Artxanda...
13
Venues
14
Parks
15
Parks
16
Museums
17
Beaches and ponds
18
Beaches and ponds
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Museums
20
Beaches and ponds
21
Places of interest
22
Museums
23
Natural attractions
24
Parks
25
Museums
26
Temples
27
Amusement parks
28
Temples
29
Parks
30
Venues
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Bilbao on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Bilbao
May to September, when temperatures are mild and the Atlantic coastal climate is at its most stable for outdoor exploration.
2-3 days, providing sufficient time to explore the riverfront museums and the historic Old Town.
The city is highly walkable, supplemented by an efficient, clean metro system designed by Norman Foster and a convenient tram line running along the riverbank.
Stay in Abando for proximity to major transit and modern art, or the Casco Viejo for access to historic narrow streets and traditional eateries.
Mid-range; while dining is high quality, the city is generally more affordable than Madrid or Barcelona.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 465 curated attractions in and around Bilbao, ranked by traveller ratings.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is the highest-rated place to visit in Bilbao right now.
The largest category is temples, with 127 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Madrid, Vigo, Barcelona.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
