Add dates

Things to do in Bilbao

This port city offers a pretty coastline, mountainous landscapes, and a taste of Basque culture and cuisine.

Our most recommended things to do in Bilbao

Bilbao: 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour

1. Bilbao: 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour

Embark on a sailing tour through the heart of Bilbao. Get a new perspective of this beautiful city from the estuary. The boat has a capacity of 80 people and seating both outside and inside. On the one-hour tour, set off from the City Hall Bridge in Pio Baroja Square through the heart of the Villa. Head toward Zorrozaurre riverbank and finally to the entrance of the Deusto Canal. Conclude the tour where you began. On the two-hour route, begin from the same jetty in Pio Baroja Square. Cruise past Bilbao's most significant landmarks and buildings and then on a tour of the estuary to the Puente Bizkaia area.  Listen to an audioguide, available in Spanish, Basque, English, French, German, and Italian, to pick up insights into the particular route being sailed and the history of the city and its buildings, bridges, and other constructions.

Bilbao: San Sebastián & S. Juan de Gaztelugatxe Guided Tour

2. Bilbao: San Sebastián & S. Juan de Gaztelugatxe Guided Tour

Explore the Basque Country with a guided tour starting in San Sebastian around the old town to see San Vicente's Church and the Basilica of Santa María del Coro. Step back in time as you learn about the local history and visit important sites such as the Plaza Mayor, Plaza Gipuzkoa, and Town Hall.  Enjoy the atmosphere of San Sebastián as you stroll around Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Constitución. Arrive at the port, one of the most important places in the area. Learn about the fires that devastated a large part of the town. Get your camera ready for photos of La Concha Bay.  Walk around the Town Hall, one of the finest buildings in the city, until arriving in the Ensanche de San Sebastián. Visit the city's lungs, Plaza Gipuzkoa and Plaza Okendo, greenspaces that are surrounded by the Urumea River. After the guided tour is finished, you will have some free time to explore or purchase some of the typical pintxos, or small plates. The tour will end in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, an islet that can only be accessed by a pedestrian path. Go on a panoramic tour of the area and discover the area’s dreamlike cliffs which were featured in the HBO series, Game of Thrones.

Bilbao: San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour

3. Bilbao: San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour

Access the Museum between gates 19 and 20 of the famous San Mamés stadium where the tour visit begins. Then experience a unique insight into the world of football at grass level. Live the experience of a real-life footballer as you run out onto the field from the tunnel, wander through the locker rooms, and imagine the buzz of excitement in the press room. Along with the stadium tour, visit the modern and innovative Athletic Club museum, home to a wide selection of fascinating football memorabilia. Explore the museum and marvel at its collection of 500 original football-related objects that have been collected over more than a century. See the past and present of the club come to life as you admire trophies, costumes, graphics and audiovisual material celebrating the Red and Whites. There’s plenty to see and do at the museum with 4 audiovisual productions, 13 interactive systems, 600 videos, an immersive video-wall, and a playroom equipped with entertainment for all ages.

Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

4. Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

Meet your guide outside the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao to begin a guided tour of both the inside and the outside of the museum. Skip the ticket line and discover more about one of the foremost symbols of the city. Learn why Bilbao was chosen as the home for the stunning Frank Gehry-designed building, and discover the structure of the building and the outdoor sculptures that surround the museum.  Then, get to know the most important works of the Guggenheim's permanent and rotating collections as you wander through its galleries, atrium, and terrace in the company of your guide. Admire its undulating, serpentine forms, among large-scale works of art that will surprise you due to the material used.

From Bilbao: Gaztelugatxe and Gernika Tour

5. From Bilbao: Gaztelugatxe and Gernika Tour

Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Bilbao, and then get back to nature on a trip to the amazing rock islet of Gaztelugatxe, located on the coast of Bizkaia just 35 kilometers from Bilbao city center. Arrive at the viewpoint and get 2 hours of free time to explore independently. Use the time to climb to the 10th-century hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, where you can touch the bell of the chapel three times and make a wish. Soak up the stunning views of the Bay of Biscay before traveling to Bermeo to take a walking tour of the charming fishing village. Continue to the historic town of Gernika, site of one of the first aerial bombings by Nazi Germany, and visit the Casa de Juntas (Assembly House) with the famous Tree of Guernica that symbolizes the traditional freedom of the people.

From Bilbao: Vizcaya Bridge, Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, & Gernika

6. From Bilbao: Vizcaya Bridge, Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, & Gernika

Leave Bilbao and discover other exciting and historic locations on the Basque Coast on this day tour. See the Vizcaya Bridge, the historic city of Gernika, visit a traditional fishing village, and enjoy a tasting of local products. Travel along the river of Bilbao, discovering the interesting industrial past of the city, and once at the coast, stop to see the Vizcaya Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage designated site. Pass by the majestic Castle of Butron, and eventually arrive at the Biosphere of Urdaibai. Admire the beautiful view from its lookout point, and discover the secrets of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a filming location of the famous TV series “Game of Thrones”. Make another stop in Bermeo, a typical fishing village, and stop to take a walking tour to enjoy its charming atmosphere. Take part in a tasting of local food, where a sample of pintxo is included. Reach the last stop in Gernika, and make a visit to the interesting Assembly House and the famous Tree of Gernika.

From Bilbao: Basque Country Tour

7. From Bilbao: Basque Country Tour

Follow the river road of Bilbao towards the coast and admire the old industrial areas that once powered Bilbao. You will visit the Transporter Bridge of Bizkaia, the oldest bridge of this type in the world, still active and considered a beloved icon by locals. Afterward, you will see the neighborhood of Neguri and its old mansions owned by rich industrial managers before you head towards the interior of the province. Admire the traditional local houses and farmhouse structures, and discover the imposing old Castle of Butron. Arrive at the coastal village of Bakio, a popular summer holiday destination among Basque natives, before you follow the beautiful and wild coastal road, eventually arriving at your second stop, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.  This place is said to be one of the most beautiful locations along the Basque coastline. It is a huge rock on the top of the old hermitage of San Juan, and it is connected to the mainland by means of a long stone stairway. Next, you will continue to the fishing town of Bermeo. Here, you will stop to visit the narrow streets, the Juradera Church, the Ercilla Tower, the old port, and the Town Hall, among other sites. Enjoy free time for lunch, and your guide will recommend a selection of local restaurants. Later, you will stop at Mundaka, a beautiful site with magnificent views of the Urdaibai Biosphere, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Afterward, you will arrive at the village of Gernika to visit the Basque Sacred Tree and Casa de Juntas, or old Law House. Finally, you will return to Bilbao around 2:00 PM.

The High End Bilbao Food Tour with a Real Basque Foodie

8. The High End Bilbao Food Tour with a Real Basque Foodie

If you are a foodie and want to discover why Bilbao has become the gastronomical reference of Northern Spain you must join this high end food tour of Bilbao. With us you will taste between 6 to 8 different pintxos (or traditional Basque food) all paired with a lovely variety of 4 local drinks. We are food passionates and know every single spot In Bilbao to taste the best Basque tapas, pintxos and miniature cuisine. Our speciality are "Food & Drink Pairings" so get ready to taste red, white and sparkling wines, vermouth and many other traditional local drinks. You will learn a lot of interesting stories about Basque Country and we will show you the "essential local rules" to order the best food when you are on your own. You will experience it like Basque people: walking around town, sitting in terraces for a drink and hopping from bar to bar pairing local food with drinks.

Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum Private Guided Visit

9. Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum Private Guided Visit

Enjoy a guided tour of the world-famous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Discover the temporary and permanent exhibitions in the museum during your 1.5 hour tour. Admire the work of artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Eduardo Chillida, Yves Klein, Jeff Koons, and Fujiko Nakaya. Be greeted by a local guide at the entrance to the museum which is surrounded by promenades, parks, and recently-built squares. Since opening in 1997, the museum's acquisitions have focused on works from the mid-twentieth century to the present day. Uncover the main attractions is the ArcelorMittal gallery, which is a large space where eight works by sculptor Richard Serra are permanently displayed. Of the 24,000 square meters occupied by the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, 11,000 are reserved for exhibition spaces. Stroll through the architectural heart of the museum which is comprised of 20 galleries that make up the museum. Enter the atrium, a large open space of curved volumes, surrounded by large glass curtain walls and crowned by a large skylight. 

From Bilbao: Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz, San Sebastian Tour

10. From Bilbao: Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz, San Sebastian Tour

Explore Biarritz and the delightful coastal village of Saint Jean de Luz on this full-day guided tour from Bilbao. Feel a salty breeze as you drive with your windows down, marveling at the expanse of the blue ocean en route. Tuck into a tasty local treat before heading into Spain to visit San Sebastian's charming streets. After a pickup from your hotel in Bilbao, begin with a guided visit to Biarritz in the French Basque Country, a summer resort for the European Royalty. Discover the best views of the city and its most famous corners. Head to Saint Jean de Luz, a quaint coastal village where you'll taste a typical local sweet. Finally, stop in San Sebastian for a walking tour into the old town followed by a visit to Mount Igueldo with its spectacular panoramic views over the city.

Available activities

74 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 5

Frequently asked questions about Bilbao

What top attractions are a must-see in Bilbao?

What are the best day trips and excursions from Bilbao?

The best day trips and excursions from Bilbao are:

San Sebastián

Other Sightseeing Options in Bilbao

Want to discover all there is to do in Bilbao? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Bilbao

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 1,604 reviews

We hit the road at 8.30 am exactly. Luckily we started in Gatzelugatxe, where there was enough time to walk the stairs to the top. Impressive view. Coffee kiosk opened around 10.30. Bus to San Sebastian was comfy . After the city walking tour we had the arvo for 'free' time. So we strolled through the oldtown, which was pretty amazing. Lovely restaurants and cafes. San Sebas is definitely worth visiting! We left at 5.30 pm. It was a great day- freezing cold though- guides were knowledgeable and fun. Highly recommended.

Lovely guide Lur was fabulous!! She spoke Spanish to the Spanish group first then repeated everything in English for the rest of us. She spoke very well and dropped in a few jokes so it was a really great insightful day. Lots of walking which we loved but some of the older group slowed down towards the end. Lots of steps to get to the church but so worth it. Plenty of time to wander around on our own time to see the sights. Muchas gracias Lur

We had the best time with Oscar!! He was a lot of fun and really talked a lot about Bilbao, we learned so much and we ate so well too! The pintxos and wine were excellent!! We had a blast with our new friends from Germany too! A great night out!

Our guide, Josh, was excellent. Very knowledgeable about the region.

Unai was a fantastic guide, one of the best tours I've ever had.