Bilbao, Spain - Travel Guide

By MupDay - the planner that does the research for you.Directions from stop to stop included - all free.

Plan a free trip to Bilbao

Updated: 2026-10-11

Bilbao, a former industrial port city, has transformed into a vibrant cultural hub with spectacular modern architecture and rich Basque cuisine. Come and experience the unique blend of tradition and innovation, contemporary art, and authentic flavors.

Top things to do in Bilbao

Things to do in Bilbao include Guggenheim Museum, Casco Viejo (Old Town), Mercado de la Ribera. Here are 15 places worth knowing, with a short note on each.

Want all of these sorted into days?

MupDay splits them by proximity and real opening hours, with no zig-zag - directions from stop to stop included. All free.

Build an itinerary for Bilbao

A sample 3-day itinerary for Bilbao

Here is what 3 days in Bilbao look like when the planner builds them - arriving at noon on the first day and flying home at noon on the last. Stops are grouped by proximity so no day doubles back, and the same route can be built for any length, from two days to a week.

Day 1Arrival at noon

Stops
4
  1. 1
    Puente Colgante de Vizcaya & Getxo
    8.9 km
  2. 2
    Parque de Doña Casilda IturrizarPark · Abando
    200 m (🚶 4 min)
  3. 3
    Museo de Bellas ArtesArt museum
    450 m (🚶 6 min)
  4. 4
    Guggenheim MuseumMuseum
Open this itinerary Free, no sign-up - and you can change anything

Day 2

Stops
7
  1. 1
    Basílica de BegoñaChurch
    700 m (🚶 12 min)
  2. 2
    Plaza NuevaMonument · Casco Viejo
    250 m (🚶 4 min)
  3. 3
    Cathedral of St. James (Santiago)Church
    50 m
  4. 4
    Casco Viejo (Old Town)Neighbourhood · Casco Viejo
    250 m (🚶 3 min)
  5. 5
    Teatro ArriagaOpera house
    800 m (🚶 14 min)
  6. 6
    ZubizuriBridge
    1 km (🚶 23 min)
  7. 7
    Azkuna ZentroaMuseum
Open this itinerary Free, no sign-up - and you can change anything

Day 3Return at noon

Stops
2
Walking
16 min
  1. 1
    Ría de Bilbao river promenade & bridges
    800 m (🚶 16 min)
  2. 2
    Funicular de ArtxandaFunicular · Castaños
Open this itinerary Free, no sign-up - and you can change anything

The route assumes the first day starts at noon, after you land, and the last ends at noon, before your flight. It is an example: with your dates the planner builds a route around your landing and your flight home, real opening hours, how you get around and your own preferences.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top things to do in Bilbao?

Guggenheim Museum, Casco Viejo (Old Town), Mercado de la Ribera, Funicular de Artxanda, Puente Colgante de Vizcaya & Getxo, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and 9 more. Casco Viejo (Old Town): The historic heart of Bilbao with narrow streets, boutique shops, pintxos bars, and a lively atmosphere.

What can you do in 3 days in Bilbao?

Day 1: Puente Colgante de Vizcaya & Getxo, Parque de Doña Casilda Iturrizar, Museo de Bellas Artes, Guggenheim Museum. Day 2: Basílica de Begoña, Plaza Nueva, Cathedral of St. James (Santiago), Casco Viejo (Old Town). Day 3: Ría de Bilbao river promenade & bridges, Funicular de Artxanda.

Which areas should you explore in Bilbao?

The itinerary for Bilbao runs through Abando, Casco Viejo and Castaños.

Which museums are worth visiting in Bilbao?

Museums worth visiting in Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum, Museo de Bellas Artes and Azkuna Zentroa.

Which churches are worth seeing in Bilbao?

Churches worth seeing in Bilbao: Basílica de Begoña and Cathedral of St. James (Santiago).

Destinations near Bilbao

All guides in Spain →

All city guides →

Ready to plan Bilbao?

Build an itinerary for Bilbao