Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country, and it sits in a green valley along the River Nervión with mountains on both sides. The city’s famous for the Guggenheim Museum, but it’s the pintxos bars in the Old Town, the long walks along the river and the beaches in Getxo that make a lot of visitors stay an extra day.
Bilbao isn’t big, but the neighbourhoods are very different. In Casco Viejo, you’re right in the middle of the bar scene, Abando is handy for trains and shopping, and by the Guggenheim you get art and river views. Here are my recommendations for six areas and hotels in several price ranges.
Contents
The Best Areas in Bilbao
- Casco Viejo - best area for first-time visitors and pintxos
- Abando - best area for transport and shopping
- Abandoibarra - best area for the Guggenheim and art
- Indautxu - best area for local life and restaurants
- Campo Volantín - best area for quiet nights by the river
- Getxo - best area for the beach and sea views
Below, I’ll take you through each of the six areas with the pros, the cons and three hotels in different price ranges, so you can find the base in Bilbao that suits your trip.
1. Casco Viejo (Old Town) - best area for first-time visitors and pintxos 🍢
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying in the city’s historic centre, and it’s around 20 minutes’ walk along the river to the Guggenheim Museum.
- 🚇 Transport: Casco Viejo metro station is in the middle of the area, and the tram along the river stops by the Arriaga Theatre.
- ✈️ Time from Bilbao Airport: Around 20 minutes by taxi. On the airport bus, get off at Plaza Moyua and take the metro two stops.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £110 to £235 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: The Old Town is safe and full of people until late in the evening. Keep an eye on your bag in the busy bars and on Plaza Nueva.
Casco Viejo is my top pick if it’s your first visit to Bilbao and the food is a big part of the reason for the trip. The area’s also called Siete Calles, because the city grew up around seven parallel streets running down to the river, and today pintxos bars, small shops and cafés sit side by side in streets with hardly any cars.
In the middle of the area is Plaza Nueva, an enclosed square with arcades all the way round, where the bars line up their pintxos on the counter from lunchtime. There’s a flea market on the square on Sundays, and a little further down is the Catedral de Santiago, one of the city’s oldest churches. According to Turismo Euskadi, the area was restored after the floods in 1983, and today it’s the city’s centre for both shopping and nightlife.
By the river is the big market hall, Mercado de la Ribera, where you can buy fish, cheese and ham in the morning and eat pintxos at the food stalls. Right next to it are the Teatro Arriaga and El Arenal park, from where you can cross the bridge to Abando in a couple of minutes.
See hotels in Casco Viejo here.
From the airport, Bizkaibus line A3247 runs into the centre roughly every 15 minutes, stopping on Gran Vía, Plaza Moyua and Alameda Recalde, and you can check the timetable on the airport’s bus page.
The downside is the noise. The bars stay open late, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, and the streets are narrow, so the sound carries straight up to the rooms. Many of the cheap places are small guesthouses on the first or second floor of old buildings, and not all of them have a lift. Ask for a room facing the courtyard if you’re a light sleeper, and expect to carry your suitcase the last bit, as taxis can’t always get right up to the door.
Places to Stay in Casco Viejo
Hotel Tayko Bilbao - best four-star hotel by the market hall
Tayko is on Erribera Kalea by the river and the Mercado de la Ribera, and it has one of the highest guest ratings in the whole guide. There’s a restaurant, a bar and a gym, and the breakfast gets a lot of praise. It was the most expensive of my three picks in the Old Town, and the only recurring complaint is about small things like tiny bedside tables.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The breakfast was excellent, one of the best we’ve had.”
See photos and book Hotel Tayko Bilbao here.
Bilder Boutique Hotel - best boutique hotel in the middle of the Old Town
Bilder Boutique is on Calle Correo in the heart of Siete Calles and has a guest rating of 9.0 from several thousand reviews. The rooms are soundproofed, and there’s both a café and a bar on site. The hotel officially only has two stars, so don’t expect a spa or a pool, and several guests feel the breakfast doesn’t offer enough choice.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “Fantastic location in the Old Town with easy access to the Guggenheim and transport.”
See photos and book Bilder Boutique Hotel here.
Casual Blue Bilbao - cheapest pick with a shared kitchen
Casual Blue is a small guesthouse on the first floor on Calle Banco de España in the middle of the Old Town, and it was the cheapest of the three when I searched. There’s a lift, soundproofed rooms and a shared kitchen, but no breakfast. Some guests found the parking information misleading, so come without a car or check the parking carefully before you book.
One guest describes it on Booking.com: “Lovely location, clean and tidy, with modern facilities.”
See photos and book Casual Blue Bilbao here.
2. Abando - best area for transport and shopping 🛍️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Abando is the modern centre just across the bridge from the Old Town, and it’s 10 to 15 minutes’ walk to the Guggenheim.
- 🚆 Transport: Bilbao-Abando railway station and the Abando and Moyua metro stations are in the area, and the airport bus stops on Gran Vía and Plaza Moyua.
- ✈️ Time from Bilbao Airport: Around 20 minutes on the A3247 airport bus or by taxi.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £105 to £330 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Abando is a safe business district with lots of people around during the day. It gets quieter in the evening when the shops and offices close.
Abando is the part of the city that was built as Bilbao’s new district, the Ensanche, in the late 19th century, when the city grew with industry. The streets are wide and straight, and the buildings are large stone blocks with glazed balconies. This is where you’ll find banks, offices and the city’s best shopping, and it’s the most practical place to stay if you’re arriving and leaving by train or bus.
The main street, Gran Vía Don Diego López de Haro, runs through the area from Plaza Circular by the river to Plaza Moyua and on towards Indautxu, and it’s lined with department stores and clothes shops. Plaza Moyua is a large oval square with a fountain and flower beds, and it’s home to the city’s classic grand hotel, the Carlton.
From Bilbao-Abando, Renfe trains run to Madrid, among other places, so it’s a good choice if you’re combining Bilbao with the capital. If you haven’t decided where to spend the night there yet, have a look at my guide to where to stay in Madrid.
According to Bizkaibus, a single ticket on the airport bus costs 5 euros (around £4) if you don’t have a Barik card, and you can pay by card at the Bizkaibus booth in the airport.
I’d choose Abando for a short city break where you want to walk to both the Old Town and the Guggenheim and have the station close by. There are also plenty of pintxos bars in the side streets, so you don’t need to cross the river every evening to eat well.
The downside is that the area doesn’t have the same charm as the Old Town. Many of the streets are busy roads, and it’s quieter than Casco Viejo in the evening because the offices close. In return, the places to stay here are usually proper hotels with a reception rather than small guesthouses.
Places to Stay in Abando
Hotel Carlton - best five-star classic on Plaza Moyua
The Carlton is an old-school five-star hotel right on Plaza Moyua with a restaurant, a bar and a gym. It has a guest rating of 8.9 from over 4,000 reviews and suits you if you want to stay somewhere stylish and central. It was the most expensive hotel in Abando when I searched, and several guests feel the bathrooms need updating.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is unbeatable, right in the heart of the city and within walking distance of everything you need on a city break.”
See photos and book Hotel Carlton here.
Batimont Suites & Apartments - best aparthotel with a kitchen
Batimont is on Calle Colón de Larreátegui, around 12 minutes’ walk from the Guggenheim, and has a guest rating of 9.2. You get a suite or an apartment with room to cook, and there’s a 24-hour reception. There’s no breakfast, and guests mention that rooms are only cleaned once a week on longer stays.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Highly recommended! A great place to stay at a price that’s good value for money.”
See photos and book Batimont Suites & Apartments here.
LATROUPE La Granja - cheapest pick by Abando station
LATROUPE La Granja is a modern hostel on Plaza Biribila by Plaza Circular, right next to the railway station and the bridge to the Old Town, and it also has private double rooms. There’s a bar and a large common area, but no breakfast. It was the cheapest place in Abando when I searched, and guests mention that the walls are thin, so there can be noise from other guests.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic place, lovely rooms, a great common area and helpful, friendly staff.”
See photos and book LATROUPE La Granja here.
3. Abandoibarra - best area for the Guggenheim and art 🎨
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying by the Guggenheim Museum, and it’s around 20 minutes’ walk along the river to the Old Town.
- 🚋 Transport: The tram stops at the Guggenheim, and it’s a few minutes’ walk to Moyua metro station.
- ✈️ Time from Bilbao Airport: Around 20 minutes by taxi. The airport bus stops on Alameda Recalde, right next to the area.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £150 to £250 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Abandoibarra is one of the city’s best-kept areas. The riverside promenade is quieter in the evening, but there are still plenty of people out walking.
Abandoibarra is the stretch along the river where the port, shipyards and railway tracks used to be. Today, it’s the city’s finest promenade, with parks, a cycle path and modern architecture, and it’s where most photos of Bilbao are taken. It’s the obvious choice if you’re coming for the art and you’d like a river view from your room.
The centrepiece is the Guggenheim Museum, Frank Gehry’s building in titanium, glass and limestone, which looks like a ship on the riverbank. In front of the entrance sits Jeff Koons’ huge dog, Puppy, covered in flowers, and at the back facing the river stands Louise Bourgeois’ giant spider, Maman. The opening hours change with the season, so check the museum’s website before you go, and it’s a good idea to buy your ticket online.
If you carry on through Doña Casilda park, you’ll reach the Museo de Bellas Artes with Basque and Spanish art. At the western end of the promenade are the Euskalduna concert and conference centre and the Iberdrola Tower, which is the city’s tallest building.
See hotels near the Guggenheim here.
I’d choose Abandoibarra for a couple on a weekend break who want art by day and a good dinner in the evening. Most of the hotels are on Alameda Mazarredo and the nearest streets in Abando, so it’s only a couple of minutes up to the shops on Gran Vía and the pintxos bars in the side streets.
The downside is the price. The hotels with views of the museum are among the most expensive in the city, and even the mid-range ones are pricey compared with the rest of Bilbao. The promenade itself has few bars, so in the evening most people head into Abando or the Old Town to eat. If you want to save money, you can stay in Abando and walk down here in ten minutes.
Places to Stay in Abandoibarra
The Artist Grand Hotel of Art - best luxury hotel right opposite the Guggenheim
The Artist is on Alameda Mazarredo right opposite the museum and has the highest guest rating in the guide, 9.3 from over 3,000 reviews. There’s a restaurant, a bar, a sauna, a hammam and a gym, and from many of the rooms you look straight across at Gehry’s building. It was the most expensive of my three picks by the museum, and guests feel the food in the hotel is pricey.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was fantastic, right opposite the Guggenheim.”
See photos and book The Artist Grand Hotel of Art here.
Hotel Miró - best design hotel with a spa by the museum
Hotel Miró is a four-star design hotel further along Alameda Mazarredo with views towards the Guggenheim and a guest rating of 9.1. There’s a spa with a hot tub, massages and a gym, and it’s a good fit for couples on a weekend break. Some guests feel the breakfast room is too small, so there can be a wait at weekends.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “The location was excellent: you can see the Guggenheim Museum from the hotel.”
See photos and book Hotel Miró here.
BYPILLOW Amari - cheapest pick five minutes from the museum
BYPILLOW Amari is on Alameda Recalde, around five minutes’ walk from the Guggenheim, and it was the cheapest of the three when I searched. You get a simple, modern hotel with a 24-hour reception and a guest rating of 8.8, but there’s no breakfast and the rooms are fairly basic.
One guest sums it up briefly on Booking.com: “Clean rooms and good facilities.”
See photos and book BYPILLOW Amari here.
4. Indautxu - best area for local life and restaurants 🍷
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Indautxu is in the western part of the modern centre, around 15 minutes’ walk from the Guggenheim and 25 minutes from the Old Town.
- 🚇 Transport: The Indautxu and San Mamés metro stations are in the area, and the city’s main bus station is also by San Mamés.
- ✈️ Time from Bilbao Airport: Around 20 minutes by taxi. The airport bus stops on Gran Vía and runs all the way to the bus station at San Mamés.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £100 to £195 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Indautxu is a quiet residential area. On match days around San Mamés stadium, there are crowds and packed bars, but the atmosphere’s good.
Indautxu is the area where a lot of the bilbaínos themselves live, shop and go out to eat. It’s part of the modern centre, but the streets are less touristy than in Abando, and around Plaza Indautxu and the nearby streets there are lots of restaurants, wine bars and cafés where the menu’s often only in Spanish and Basque.
The area’s big cultural centre is Azkuna Zentroa, an old wine warehouse from the early 20th century that the French designer Philippe Starck has converted. According to Spain.info, there are 43 columns in different styles in the entrance hall, and the building houses exhibitions, cinemas, a sports centre and a library. It’s a good place to shelter when it rains, which it does quite often in Bilbao.
To the west is San Mamés, the home ground of Athletic Club, and right next to it is the Bilbao Intermodal bus station. From here, buses run to the rest of the Basque Country and Spain.
If you’re heading further along the coast, buses run from Bilbao Intermodal to San Sebastián, and the bus is usually the quickest way. I’ve written a guide to where to stay in San Sebastián if you’d like to split your trip between the two cities.
I’d choose Indautxu if you’ve been to Bilbao before, if you’re going to a football match or if you want more hotel for your money. It also works well for families, because it’s quiet in the evening and close to the metro.
The downside is the distance to the Old Town. You can walk there in just under half an hour or take the metro, but you won’t just pop back to the hotel between lunch and dinner. The area doesn’t have any major sights either, so it’s more a place to stay than a place to see.
Places to Stay in Indautxu
Hotel Ercilla de Bilbao, Autograph Collection - best four-star hotel in the shopping district
Hotel Ercilla is on Calle Ercilla halfway between Plaza Moyua and Plaza Indautxu, and it’s a four-star hotel with a restaurant, a terrace and a gym. It has a guest rating of 8.6 from around 3,000 reviews. Some guests mention that prices rise sharply when there are big events in the city, so book early if you’re travelling during a festival week.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything was fantastic.”
See photos and book Hotel Ercilla de Bilbao, Autograph Collection here.
NH Collection Villa de Bilbao - best mid-range hotel on Gran Vía
NH Collection Villa de Bilbao is at the western end of Gran Vía, close to the airport bus stop and San Mamés. It’s a four-star hotel with a restaurant, a gym and a guest rating of 8.5, and guests praise the spacious rooms. Some of the rooms face an inner courtyard, so ask for a room facing the street if you want light and a view.
One guest describes their stay on Booking.com: “Clean and very comfortable, lots of space and a good location.”
See photos and book NH Collection Villa de Bilbao here.
bcool - cheapest pick with your own kitchen
bcool is a set of apartments on Calle Fernández del Campo in the southern part of the Ensanche, around 17 minutes’ walk from the Guggenheim. It was the cheapest place in the whole guide when I searched, and you get your own kitchen, but there’s no breakfast or reception. The guest rating is 7.7, and several guests mention noise from the neighbours.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A great place with everything I needed, especially a well-equipped kitchen and a fridge!!”
See photos and book bcool here.
5. Campo Volantín - best area for quiet nights by the river 🌉
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying on the north side of the river, around 10 minutes’ walk from the Old Town and 10 to 15 minutes from the Guggenheim across the Zubizuri bridge.
- 🚡 Transport: The Artxanda funicular runs from the area, and across the bridges it’s a short walk to the metro and tram in the Old Town and Abando.
- ✈️ Time from Bilbao Airport: Around 15 to 20 minutes by taxi, as you don’t have to go through the centre.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £125 to £175 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Campo Volantín is a quiet and well-kept area. The promenade is well lit, but there are fewer people around late in the evening than on the other side of the river.
Campo Volantín is the long promenade on the north bank of the river between the town hall and Zubizuri, Santiago Calatrava’s white footbridge. The area belongs to Uribarri, and it’s one of the best places to stay if you want to be close to both the Old Town and the Guggenheim but sleep on a quieter street than in Casco Viejo.
From the hotels, you can walk along the river into town, and in the morning the promenade is full of runners and dog walkers. Across the water, you can see Abandoibarra and the Guggenheim, and Zubizuri takes you straight over to the museum side.
Behind the town hall is the station for the Artxanda funicular, and it’s one of the reasons to stay here. According to Turismo Euskadi, the funicular has been running since 1915, the ride up takes around three minutes and there’s a departure every 15 minutes. From the top, you’ve got a view over the whole city, and on clear days you can see the sea.
See hotels in Campo Volantín here.
I’d choose Campo Volantín for a trip by car, for couples who are light sleepers and for anyone who’d like a four-star hotel with a river view at a lower price than by the Guggenheim. Several of the hotels have their own garage, and it’s easy to drive out of the city from here.
The downside is that there are few bars and restaurants in the area itself, so you’ll need to cross the river to eat pintxos. It only takes ten minutes, but it’s worth knowing if you’d like the bar scene right outside your door. The streets behind the promenade also climb steeply up the hill.
Places to Stay in Campo Volantín
Hesperia Bilbao - best four-star hotel with river views
Hesperia Bilbao is on Campo Volantín, around 800 metres from the Guggenheim, and it’s known for its façade of coloured glass balconies. It’s a four-star hotel with a restaurant, a gym and a guest rating of 8.6 from over 6,000 reviews. It was the most expensive of the three here, and a few guests found the staff a little curt.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “The hotel had an excellent location on the other side of the river.”
See photos and book Hesperia Bilbao here.
Barceló Bilbao Nervión - best mid-range hotel close to the Old Town
Barceló Bilbao Nervión is on Paseo Campo Volantín close to the town hall, so it’s a short walk across the bridge to the Old Town. It’s a four-star hotel with a restaurant, a gym, its own garage and a guest rating of 8.6. Some guests feel the decor is a little dated.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A good hotel for a city break.”
See photos and book Barceló Bilbao Nervión here.
Hotel Conde Duque Bilbao - cheapest pick on the promenade
Conde Duque is halfway along Campo Volantín, around a kilometre from the Guggenheim, and it was the cheapest of the three when I searched. It’s a three-star hotel with a restaurant, a sauna, a gym and a guest rating of 8.5. Several guests mention that the rooms are small and a bit dark.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A fantastic location in an affordable hotel with lovely staff.”
See photos and book Hotel Conde Duque Bilbao here.
6. Getxo - best area for the beach and sea views 🏖️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Getxo is at the mouth of the river, around 13 km north-west of the centre of Bilbao.
- 🚇 Transport: Metro line 1 runs from the centre to Getxo, with stations in Areeta, Neguri and Algorta close to the beaches and the bridge.
- ✈️ Time from Bilbao Airport: Around 20 minutes by taxi. On public transport, take the bus into the city and the metro back out.
- 💰 Price range: €€€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £180 to £365 a night when I searched for a weekend in June.
- 👮 Safety: Getxo is a wealthy and safe suburb. Keep an eye on children on the beach when the waves from the Bay of Biscay are big.
Getxo is Bilbao’s seaside town, where the river flows into the Bay of Biscay. It’s made up of several districts, each with its own feel: Areeta, also known as Las Arenas, is by the river, Neguri is known for its large villas from the heyday of industry, and Algorta has the beaches and the old fishing harbour.
In Areeta stands Puente Bizkaia, the world’s first transporter bridge, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2006. The bridge opened in 1893 and links Getxo with Portugalete on the other side of the river. A gondola hangs beneath the bridge and carries cars and pedestrians across the water, and you can also walk across the walkway at the top. Check the bridge’s own website for opening hours and tickets before you head out there.
Along the coast to the north is Ereaga beach, with light sand, lifeguards and cafés on the promenade. From here, you can walk up to Puerto Viejo de Algorta, the old fishing harbour with white houses, steps and small bars, where it’s lovely to eat in the evening.
To get into the city, take Metro Bilbao from one of the stations in Getxo, and you’ll get off in Abando or Casco Viejo without changing. I’d choose Getxo for a summer holiday where you want to combine the beach and the city, or for a family who’d like space and peace in the evening.
The downside is that you’re a fair way from the pintxos bars and the museums, so you’ll need to take the metro every time you want to go into the city. The hotels are also expensive in the summer months, and there’s less choice than in the centre. The weather on the coast is changeable too, so it’s not the place for a pure beach holiday.
Places to Stay in Getxo
Palacio Arriluce Hotel - best luxury hotel with an infinity pool
Palacio Arriluce is a five-star hotel in an old mansion on the cliff above Ereaga beach, with an outdoor infinity pool in season, a spa and a restaurant. It’s the most expensive hotel in the whole guide and has a guest rating of 9.2. It suits a honeymoon or a special occasion, but several guests mention that check-in took a long time.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautifully designed, and the staff were very friendly.”
See photos and book Palacio Arriluce Hotel here.
Ercilla Embarcadero Hotel - best four-star hotel near Puente Bizkaia
Ercilla Embarcadero is in Areeta on Avenida Zugazarte by the river, around a kilometre from Puente Bizkaia. It’s a four-star hotel with a garden, a terrace, a restaurant and a guest rating of 9.1. Guests feel the restaurant is expensive, but there are plenty of other places to eat in Areeta.
One guest sums it up briefly on Booking.com: “The hotel’s lovely.”
See photos and book Ercilla Embarcadero Hotel here.
Petit Palace Tamarises - cheapest pick right on the beach
Petit Palace Tamarises is on Muelle de Ereaga right on the beach, and it was the cheapest of the three hotels in Getxo when I searched. It’s a three-star hotel with a terrace, a guest rating of 8.4 and the beach promenade right outside the door. Guests mention that the rooms are small.
One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were very helpful and friendly.”
See photos and book Petit Palace Tamarises here.
Where should you avoid staying in Bilbao?
I wouldn’t stay in Bilbao La Vieja and San Francisco on the south side of the river if it’s your first time in Bilbao. It’s the city’s alternative corner, with galleries, bars and cheap places to eat, but some of the streets around Calle San Francisco feel unsafe late in the evening, and there are only a few good hotels.
Be careful with the cheap hotels in the towns further down the river, such as Barakaldo, and by the airport in Loiu. The price is lower, but you’ll need the metro, a bus or a taxi every day to get into the city.
If you’re travelling during the Aste Nagusia festival week in August, be prepared for music and partying in Casco Viejo until late at night and prices rising across the city. Book well in advance if you want a quiet room.
If it’s your first time in Bilbao and you want the pintxos bars right outside your door, I’d stay in Casco Viejo. Abando is the most practical choice for a short trip by train or bus, Abandoibarra suits art and river views, and Indautxu gives you the most for your money. If you want to sleep peacefully close to the centre, Campo Volantín is a good bet, and Getxo is the place if the beach is going to be part of your trip.
Bilbao is also a great starting point for a longer trip around northern Spain. San Sebastián is only just over an hour away by bus, and if you carry on across the border into France, I’ve written about where to stay in Bordeaux. If your trip ends in the Mediterranean sun, have a look at my guide to where to stay in Barcelona.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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