12 Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Bilbao (From Locals’ Favorites to Major Attractions)

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You guys, Bilbao totally blew me away! I thought I was just coming to see the Guggenheim (which is absolutely wild, by the way), but this city gave me so much more. Picture this: I’m wandering through tiny streets packed with bars, watching locals laugh over wine and the best little snacks I’ve ever tasted, and thinking, “Why isn’t everyone talking about this place?”

Looking for amazing things to do in Bilbao? I spent a week exploring this incredible Basque city, and wow—from getting lost in the shiny curves of the Guggenheim to eating my way through the Old Town’s famous Seven Streets, this place is pure gold. Get ready to fall in love with Spain’s coolest city!

Top Must-See Places in Bilbao

Looking for the coolest things to do in Bilbao? Visit the world-famous Guggenheim Museum, take in panoramic views from Mount Artxanda, and explore the cultural hub of Azkuna Zentroa. Admire classic and contemporary art at the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. Whether you’re interested in art, architecture, or scenic views, here are the top attractions to visit in Bilbao.

• Best for Contemporary Art: Guggenheim Museum – A stunning architectural marvel showcasing contemporary art.
• Charming Old Town Experience: Casco Viejo – Historic streets, pintxos, and vibrant local life.
• Best Panoramic Views: Mount Artxanda – Get breathtaking city views from the top.
• Top Museum for Art Lovers: Bilbao Fine Arts Museum – A mix of classical and modern art.
• Best Local Market Experience: Mercado de la Ribera – Taste the best of Basque cuisine.
• Cultural Hub: Azkuna Zentroa – A vibrant space for contemporary arts and events.
• Historic Landmark: Bilbao Cathedral – A 14th-century Gothic masterpiece.
• Best Day Trip: Basque Coast – Rugged coastlines and scenic beauty.
• For Theater Enthusiasts: Arriaga Theatre – A grand 19th-century opera house.
• Lively Nightlife: Indautxu District – The heart of Bilbao’s nightlife.
• Best for Shopping: Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro – Trendy boutiques and cafes.
• Best University Tour: Deusto University – A beautiful, riverside academic institution.

1. Visit the Guggenheim Museum

Frank Gehry’s titanium beast will absolutely wreck your expectations of what a building can look like. The Guggenheim Museum‘s curves literally shimmer and shift as you walk around it, like some kind of architectural shape-shifter. Inside, Richard Serra’s “The Matter of Time” will blow your mind with these massive steel sculptures you can actually walk through.

Jeff Koons’ giant flower dog “Puppy” out front is pure Instagram gold, but honestly, the whole building photographs like crazy from every angle. The temporary exhibitions rotate constantly and they’re always insane. In fact, recent shows have featured everything from mind-bending digital installations to stuff that makes you question reality.

Hit it right at 10 AM or after 5 PM to dodge the tour groups. Tickets are about $17, totally worth it. Grab coffee at the museum’s riverside café afterward because you’ll need time to process what just happened. 

2. Explore Casco Viejo (Old Town)

Casco Viejo is where Bilbao gets real. This maze of narrow cobblestone streets feels like a medieval party that never ends, packed with locals bar-hopping between pintxo spots and tiny shops selling everything from vintage books to artisan cheese.

Start at Plaza Nueva, this gorgeous arched square that’s basically pintxo central. Hit up Café Bar Bilbao for some of the best Basque tapas you’ll ever taste. The Sunday market here is also pure treasure hunting gold.

Wander the “Seven Streets,” the original medieval layout that’s now lined with boutique shops and traditional bars. Duck into Librería Cámara, one of Spain’s oldest bookstores, or grab pastries from Pastelería Arresse that’ll ruin regular bakeries for you forever.

Don’t miss Santiago Cathedral, a 14th-century Gothic stunner that’s perfect for escaping the chaos. The Basque Museum nearby drops serious knowledge about local culture. This neighborhood captures Bilbao’s soul better than anywhere else.

• Read next: Hidden Gems in Spain

3. Climbing Mount Artxanda

Mount Artxanda gives you the best views in Bilbao, hands down. You can either hike up like a warrior or take the funicular like a smart person. The funicular runs every 15 minutes and costs about $5 round trip, plus the ride itself is pretty epic.

Once you hit the summit, the panoramic views of Bilbao, the Nervión River, and surrounding mountains will have you reaching for your phone constantly. El Mirador Café up top is perfect for drinks with a view that’ll make your friends back home seriously jealous.

The park area has cool sculptures scattered around, including a powerful memorial to Spanish Civil War victims. If you’re feeling energetic, the Artxanda-Bilbao Trail is a solid 1.5-hour hike through beautiful Basque countryside with well-marked paths.

Whether you funicular up or hike the whole way, this spot gives you that perfect contrast between bustling city life below and peaceful nature vibes above. The sunset views here are absolutely unreal.

4. Tour the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum

The Bilbao Fine Arts Museum is where you go to see actual masterpieces without the Guggenheim crowds. This place houses incredible works from El Greco, Goya, and Picasso alongside seriously talented Basque artists you’ve probably never heard of but definitely should know.

El Greco’s “The Annunciation” and Goya’s “Portrait of Martín Zapater” are absolute must-sees, but don’t sleep on Francis Bacon’s “Lying Figure in Mirror” because it’s genuinely haunting. The layout makes sense, so you won’t get lost wandering around for hours.

Check out the rotating temporary exhibitions because they consistently showcase cutting-edge contemporary art that pushes boundaries. Interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations actually add value instead of feeling gimmicky.

When you need a break, the museum café is perfect for processing everything you just absorbed, and the gift shop has legit art books and unique souvenirs that don’t suck. Whether you’re an art nerd or just curious, this place delivers culture without the pretentious attitude.

5. Sample Basque Cuisine at Mercado de la Ribera

Mercado de la Ribera is where Bilbao’s food scene gets absolutely wild. This massive market on the Nervión River banks is pure sensory overload in the best way possible, with vendors who genuinely love talking about their incredible local products.

Wander through the colorful stalls loaded with fresh seafood, aged cheeses, and produce that looks too perfect to be real. The vendors here are legends and will hook you up with samples if you show genuine interest.

Hit the food court for serious pintxo action. La Viña del Ensanche serves jamón ibérico that’ll ruin regular ham forever, while El Txoko Bilbao has pintxo variety that’s actually insane. Try classics like tortilla de patatas or go bold with octopus and bacalao. Pair everything with txakoli, a local white wine that’s incredibly refreshing.

Finish your food trip with sweets from Pastelería Urrestarazu. This isn’t just eating, but total cultural immersion into Bilbao’s food obsession.

• Read next: Dreamy Basque Country Destinations

6. Visit the Azkuna Zentroa

Azkuna Zentroa is what happens when you take a historic wine warehouse and let Philippe Starck go absolutely nuts with it. This cultural center is pure architectural madness in the best way, with those iconic columns in the atrium that look like something from another planet.

Each column is uniquely designed and ridiculously photogenic, making this one of the most Instagram-worthy spots in Spain. The space buzzes with locals and tourists soaking up the creative energy that flows through every corner.

Catch an indie film at their cinema or check out live performances that range from contemporary dance to local bands mixing indie rock with folk. The programming here is consistently fresh and actually worth your time instead of tourist trap garbage.

The rooftop terrace delivers panoramic Bilbao views with drinks that don’t suck. Their café hosts live jazz evenings and cultural celebrations that feel authentic rather than staged. This place perfectly captures Bilbao’s ability to blend historic charm with cutting-edge creativity in ways that actually work.

7. Admiring the Bilbao Cathedral

The Bilbao Cathedral sits in Old Town’s heart like a 14th-century Gothic masterpiece that somehow survived everything history threw at it. Also known as the Cathedral of Santiago, this place hits different when you stumble into pure tranquility from Casco Viejo’s chaos.

The facade is absolutely stunning with intricate details and towering spires that make you crane your neck. Step inside and those stained glass windows, soaring arches, and elaborate altar create this atmosphere that’s perfect for escaping the madness outside.

The hidden cloister with its serene courtyard and beautiful stonework feels like discovering a secret garden in the middle of the city. Throughout the year, they host classical music performances and choral concerts that transform the space into something magical.

Whether you’re into architecture, history, or just need a peaceful moment, this cathedral delivers an experience that sticks with you long after leaving.

• Read next: Top Things to Do in Spain for Young Adults

8. Take a Day Trip to the Basque Coast

The Basque Coast is just a short train ride from Bilbao, but it feels like entering a completely different world of dramatic cliffs, charming fishing villages, and coastline that’ll ruin every other beach for you.

Start in Getxo with its beautiful beaches and impressive waterfront mansions. The historic Vizcaya Bridge is an engineering marvel, and La Terraza Bar serves coffee with marina views perfect for people-watching.

Bermeo is where things get real. This fishing village has colorful houses lining narrow streets and a harbor packed with working boats. Artza Restaurant serves freshly caught seafood that’s so good it’ll make you question every fish dish you’ve ever had.

End at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, an insane islet connected by a dramatic stone bridge. Climb those 241 steps for genuinely breathtaking coastline views. Yeah, it’s a hike, but the rugged scenery makes every step worth it.

9. Enjoy a Performance at the Arriaga Theatre

The Arriaga Theatre is this stunning 19th-century opera house that looks like someone dropped the Paris Opera into downtown Bilbao. Named after Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga, the “Spanish Mozart,” this place oozes old-world elegance with ornate chandeliers and plush seating that makes every performance feel special.

The programming here is seriously diverse, from classic operas like “Carmen” to contemporary dance and modern plays. If you can catch a local Basque production like “Kukai Dantza,” do it. This contemporary dance troupe combines traditional Basque moves with modern choreography in ways that’ll blow your mind.

The intimate atmosphere means every seat has killer views, so you feel like you’re part of the action instead of watching from a distance. The performances here genuinely showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage with passionate, heartfelt shows.

After the show, stroll the nearby Arenal promenade or grab drinks at hip cafes around the theatre. The vibrant nightlife adds magic to an already incredible evening.

10. Experiencing Nightlife in the Indautxu District

Indautxu District is where Bilbao’s nightlife gets absolutely wild. This area transforms after dark into the city’s party central, packed with trendy bars, pumping clubs, and cozy pubs that cater to every vibe imaginable.

Start at El Huevo Berria, where creative cocktails and chic atmosphere set the perfect tone for your night. The bartenders here are artists, and the drinks are genuinely Instagram-worthy. Next, hit Coppola Bilbao for live music or DJ sets that span every genre.

When you’re ready to dance until sunrise, Fever Club is absolutely essential. This nightclub features multiple dance floors and music styles that keep the energy insane until early morning. From electronic beats to classic hits, they know how to keep crowds moving.

The best part about Indautxu is how everything’s walkable, so you can bar hop without dealing with taxis. The locals are friendly and the atmosphere is electric.

11. Check Out Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro

Gran Vía is Bilbao’s main shopping and dining artery, and it’s absolutely buzzing with energy. This wide, tree-lined avenue is packed with everything from high-end boutiques to quirky local shops that actually sell cool stuff instead of tourist garbage.

You’ll find major brands like Zara, Mango, and the massive El Corte Inglés department store alongside hidden gems like La Suite Vintage for retro fashion finds. Lottusse delivers high-quality leather goods, while Camper serves up stylish yet comfortable footwear that doesn’t suck.

The food scene here is incredible. Café Iruña is this historic spot serving traditional Basque dishes in a setting that feels like stepping back in time. La Vina del Ensanche does gourmet pintxos with an extensive wine list that’ll educate your palate.

Everything’s walkable, so you can easily spend an entire day bouncing between shops, grabbing coffee, and people-watching. The avenue perfectly captures Bilbao’s blend of traditional Spanish culture with modern European sophistication.

12. Deusto University

Deusto University isn’t your typical tourist stop, but this riverside campus is absolutely worth checking out. The 1886 Neo-Gothic main building looks like Hogwarts had a Spanish cousin, and the gardens are perfect for chilling out after exploring the city’s craziness.

What’s cool is that they host public events you can actually attend. Think lectures from industry leaders, art exhibitions, and theater performances in their beautiful Aula Magna. The annual Deusto Forum brings together brilliant minds discussing topics that actually matter, and anyone can show up.

The student energy here is contagious, and wandering through the historic halls feels like stepping into an academic movie set. But honestly, the best part might be the riverside location with killer views of Bilbao that’ll make your Instagram followers jealous.

It’s a different side of the city that most tourists miss, where you can experience local intellectual culture while enjoying some of the prettiest campus architecture in Spain.