24 Hours in Bilbao
Welcome to Bilbao, the heart of Spain's Basque Country. Once an industrial powerhouse, this city has transformed into a vibrant hub of architecture and world-class art with a legendary food scene. Whether Bilbao is the first stop on your Spanish journey or the grand finale, one day is just enough to capture its unique spirit (although a few days would be ideal). With so much to see and do in this bustling city, this is your ultimate guide to making the most of every moment in just 24 hours.
The History of Bilbao
For centuries, Bilbao was a formidable industrial power and was one of the most important ports in Spain. Its fortunes were forged in the iron, steel and shipbuilding industries along the Nervión River. This boom created a city of gritty character and immense wealth. When these industries declined in the 1960s and ’70s, Bilbao embarked on a radical cultural transformation. With the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in 1997, the city's increased tourism led to massive redevelopment projects, including a subway system, and the upgrading of the airport and harbour. The city revitalised its riverfront, trading shipyards for elegant promenades and striking new architecture. Today, Bilbao is a sophisticated blend of its past and present; a city that honours its industrial heritage and Basque culture while thriving as a global centre for art, gastronomy and design - the perfect extension to The Slow Cyclist's Spanish Basque electric bike tours.
Morning
Begin your Bilbao adventure at one of its excellent local cafés. We highly recommend Nokora Coffee on Museum Square for a superb cup of coffee or Cokooncafé if you're looking for the best pastries in town.
After breakfast, it's time to explore Bilbao's world-class art scene. The city is packed with fantastic museums and galleries, but here are the essential ones not to miss.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a world-renowned institution dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Housed in an architectural marvel designed by Frank Gehry, the museum's impressive and distinctive building is a sculpture in itself, featuring flowing titanium curves, glass, and limestone. It sits dramatically on a former industrial wharf on the banks of the Nervión River.
Inside, the museum showcases a collection of works by both Spanish and international artists, featuring an ambitious program of rotating temporary exhibitions alongside its permanent collection. Notable works include Louise Bourgeois' Maman: a monumental bronze, stainless steel and marble spider sculpture, measuring over 9 metres high.
Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao (Museo de Bellas Artes)
The Bilbao Fine Arts Museum is arguably the city's most prestigious art gallery, chronicling art history from the 12th century to the present. Its collection features over 10,000 works. While celebrated for its old masters like El Greco and local Basque artists, it also boasts a significant modern collection, including works by Francis Bacon, Antoni Tàpies, and Eduardo Chillida.
Lunch
Spend your lunch exploring Bilbao’s atmospheric old town (Casco Viejo). Its colourful, narrow streets are a pedestrian's dream, lined with shops, bars and some of the city's oldest monuments. As you wander, you'll discover the Cathedral of Santiago, the Plaza Nueva and the Church of San Antón, alongside fascinating stops like the Arkeologi Museoa and the Basque Country Museum.
This is the perfect setting to try pintxos, the Basque version of tapas. These small, delicious snacks are typically served on bread and held by a skewer or "pintxo" (spike). Find the best near the Ribera Market (Erriberako merkatua), or opt for a full sit-down lunch at a local favourite. We recommend the classic, bar-style Taberna Basaras or the refined Los Fueros for a fine-dining experience. For more restaurant inspiration, read our blog on the best restaurants in Bilbao.
Afternoon
Spend your afternoon exploring the flowing heart of Bilbao: the Nervión River. What once served as the city’s industrial highway is now the perfect city guide - walking along its banks reveals the city's story through its many bridges.
You'll encounter the San Antón Bridge, the oldest in the city, it is even featured on Bilbao's coat of arms. Further on, you'll pass the white Zubizuri footbridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava to reflect the city's ambitious spirit. Nearby, the La Salve Bridge is impossible to miss, its red arch perfectly framing the entrance to the Guggenheim Museum.
Crossing the river along these famed bridges, make your way to the Funicular de Artxanda. This mountain cable car links the city with the summit of the nearby Artxanda Mountain, offering panoramic views over the city. After a full day of exploring, head back to your hotel for the evening to relax before an evening of Basque food and fun. If you have time, visit local bars to sample the distinctive and delicious wines from the Basque wine country. Learn all about them in our blog.
Dinner
Bilbao is one of Spain’s great food capitals. The city's culinary scene is a blend of rustic tradition and innovation, built on the foundations of Basque cuisine. Bilbao’s gastronomic identity is tied to its seasonal, local ingredients, especially fresh seafood from the Bay of Biscay, like cod, hake, and spider crab. This same obsession with quality fuels the city's astonishing number of Michelin-starred restaurants, making it a global destination for fine dining, where world-renowned chefs continuously reinvent tradition. There are so many to choose from, but here are our top three:
Restaurante Mina
A one-star Michelin restaurant located opposite the Ribera Market, right on the river. Restaurante Mina specialises in overtly seasonal cuisine, championing ingredients sourced from local suppliers.
Ola Martin Berasategui
Ola Martin Berasategui is a one-star Michelin restaurant located in the heart of Bilbao's Old Town inside the Tayko Hotel. Offering haute cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere, with à la carte dishes under the direction of renowned chef Martín Berasategui.
Aitor Rauleaga
Aitor Rauleaga is a Basque restaurant with a classic-contemporary feel, offering traditional cuisine with seasonal ingredients, daily specials, and signature dishes.
Evening
For your evening entertainment, get ready to embrace Bilbao's lively music scene. The Basque Country is famous for its deep love of music, reflected in the city's huge number of live venues. To experience the height of its classical culture, see what's on at the Teatro Arriaga de Bilbao, the city's opera house. For a more modern take, visit Bilborock; once a 17th-century church, it's now a vibrant live music and arts space. Finally, for an authentic taste of local music, go to Kafe Antzokia. It is widely considered the most important stage in Bilbao, having hosted generations of Basque musicians alongside hundreds of international artists.
Hotels
Whether you're in town for one night or a few, Bilbao has a fantastic range of hotels. To help you choose where to rest your head, we've narrowed it down to a few of our top picks.
Hotel Gran Bilbao Domine
Hotel Gran Bilbao is a 5-star hotel with excellent service and unique, light-filled rooms featuring modern, comfortable decor. There's a large roof terrace for breakfast, a full gym and wellness centre, and two on-site restaurants for a luxurious stay in the heart of the city.
Hotel Miro
Hotel Miro is a cosy and friendly 4-star hotel with a homely feel, offering light and airy rooms in a central location with a bar, lounge, gym, and wellness centre.
Hotel Takyo
A historic location, Hotel Takyo boasts charming interiors, a Michelin-starred restaurant on site, as well as its own wine cellar.
A day in Bilbao is offers a taste of this amazing Spanish region. Why not explore the rest of the Basque Country on our electric bike tours?
Book onto the Basque Country journey and you can include an extension to Bilbao and the surrounding areas at the beginning or end of your trip. Contact us for more details!
