- 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
Museums
The Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao serves as one of Spain's most significant art institutions, housing a collection that...
6
Places of interest
Zubizuri, meaning 'white bridge' in Basque, is a tied-arch footbridge crossing the Nervión River in Bilbao. Designed by...
7
Venues
The Arriaga Theater is a neo-baroque opera house located at the edge of Bilbao's Casco Viejo district. Designed by archi...
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
Teatro Campos Elíseos Antzokia is a prominent Art Nouveau theater located in the Abando district of Bilbao, Spain. Compl...
14
Parks
Europa Parkea is a large urban green space located in the Otxarkoaga-Txurdinaga district of Bilbao. Covering approximate...
15
Parks
Jardines de Albia is a central urban garden in the Abando district of Bilbao, characterized by its mature palm trees and...
16
Museums
The Museo de la Paz de Guernica is dedicated to the history of the 1937 aerial bombing of Gernika-Lumo by the Nazi Condo...
17
Beaches and ponds
Elantxobe Port is a historic fishing harbor located at the base of a steep cliff on the northern coast of the Basque Cou...
18
Beaches and ponds
Puerto Viejo de Bermeo is the historic heart of the port of Bermeo, located in the Bay of Biscay on the coast of the Bas...
19
Museums
Itsasmuseum Bilbao is located on the site of the former Euskalduna shipyard, focusing on the industrial and maritime her...
20
Beaches and ponds
The Port of Mundaka is a historic tidal harbor located at the mouth of the Urdaibai Estuary in the Bay of Biscay. It is...
21
Places of interest
Euskalduna Zubia is a significant bascule bridge in Bilbao, designed by architects Javier Manterola and Roberto Ercilla....
22
Museums
Nuevo Bosque de Oma is an open-air art installation featuring trees painted by Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola. This new...
23
Parks
Arenal Park serves as the primary transition point between Bilbao's historic Casco Viejo and the modern city center. The...
24
Natural attractions
Monte Pagasarri is a 671-meter peak situated south of Bilbao, serving as a primary natural recreational area for the cit...
25
Temples
San Nikolas eliza is a distinct Baroque church located in the Casco Viejo district of Bilbao. Designed by architect Igna...
26
Amusement parks
Izenaduba Basoa is Spain's first mythological theme park, centered on the folklore and characters of Basque mythology. T...
27
Museums
Ekoetxea Urdaibai is an environmental education center and museum situated within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve in the...
28
Temples
Antxon Deunaren Eliza, locally known as the Church of San Antón, is a 15th-century Gothic structure located at the edge...
29
Parks
Bizkotxalde Park is a sprawling green space located in Basauri, part of the Greater Bilbao metropolitan area. It serves...
30
Venues
Bilbao BBK Live is an annual multi-genre music festival held on the slopes of Mount Cobetas (Kobetamendi) overlooking th...
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
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.
Explore more of Spain
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
