Bilbao is one of those unforgettable spots in northern Spain that is a mandatory stop for architecture lovers. One of the top places in the country to enjoy excellent gastronomy, explore the unique culture, and discover the impressive architecture, from the beautiful houses of the Old Town to the cutting-edge skyscrapers and buildings of Bilbao. Located on the banks of the Nervión River, in the Basque province of Biscay, in the north of Spain, Bilbao is in the region’s most populated area, with over 700 years of history and an industrial past that has shaped the city. Enjoy a city with impressive sights and renowned landmarks created by the best architects in the world, like the Guggenheim Museum, the Campos Eliseos Theatre, Iberdrola Tower, and the Zubizuri Bridge. Discover the city of Bilbao and enjoy its culture in the avant-garde town in Spain.
Our recommendations on which areas to stay in
- Discover the Old Town of Bilbao and enjoy the charm of the Seven Streets of the historical areas. We recommend staying close to Posta Kalea. Here you can explore the city’s origins on its medieval streets and sights, surrounded by great restaurants and places to visit.
- Experience the culture of Bilbao, surrounded by the best museum, modern buildings, and the best gastronomy in the city. We recommend the areas near Alameda de Recalde. You can enjoy excellent proximity to the parks, amenities, and the Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao.
- Stay close to the Nervión river and enjoy relaxing views of the city, in a central area to move around the city, and all the amenities you need for a solo trip, a couple stay, or family travel by looking for accommodation close to Campo de Volantín Pasealekua.
- Looking for a budget-friendly stay in Bilbao? We recommend the areas close to Areiltza Doktorearen Zumarkalea, where you can find great deals on accommodation and take advantage of the public transportation of Bilbao to discover the city.
These are our recommendations on accommodations in Sagunto, Spain, in 5 categories:
- Discover the Old Town:
- Enjoy Bilbao’s culture:
- Relaxing stays across the river:
- Room with river views:
- Budget-friendly stays in Bilbao:
A great modern city in the North of Spain. – What to know before visiting.
The city of Bilbao has a unique character and way of being that makes it an exciting spot to visit and discover. Since its foundation in 1300, Bilbao has known how to grow and adapt. Since 1990, the city has left its industrial past and bet on the town’s development. Now the city is a place to enjoy the region’s medieval history but also enjoy great urbanism and impressive constructions with modern and avant-garde styles.
The historical side of Bilbao is an excellent example of the city’s development. In the Old Town, you can discover the medieval shape of the early village with interventions made during the town’s growth. Enjoy the Plaza Barria and find a neoclassical-style plaza where you can enjoy the lively culture of Bilbao, in a great spot to enjoy a meal or a coffee, and from where you can visit the archaeology museum of Bizkaiko Arkeologi Museoa to discover the history of Biscay and the Basque country.
Also, here you can discover the riverside church of San Antony the Great, with its gothic style from the XVI century, located beside the beautiful marketplace of Erribera Merkatua, a modernist style market from 1929 and one of the biggest covered ones in Europe, where you can discover the local specialties and excellent fresh products of the region. Or, walk around the Siete Calles, the main historical seven streets from the medieval era that are an essential element of the historical area of Bilbao. Located in the surroundings of XIV century cathedral of Bilboko Donejakue katedrala, you can find these historical streets with over 500 years of existence, where you can wander around to discover the details of its constructions, visit the different plazas, churches, and cathedrals, and enjoy of the multiple restaurants nearby.
In the last 20 years, Bilbao has changed its approach to urbanism taking advantage of its modernist buildings and encouraging the construction of the world’s architectural landmarks. Discover the museums of Bilbao in one of the most iconic city symbols by visiting the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which opened in 1997 with its unique design of titanium and glass and excellent XX-century artworks collection. Or discover the cultural center of Azkuna Zentroa Alhóndiga Bilbao, located in an old corn exchange renovated to house a theater, cinema, exhibitions, and lectures. Also, move around the city in the modern Metro of Bilbao from 1995 and enjoy the impressive architecture of its stations by the renowned Norman Foster.
Discover this amazing city with its long history, modern side, vibrant culture, and excellent food, and enjoy what Bilbao offers.
Accommodation near the Seven Streets.
The Old Town of Bilbao is a unique spot worth discovering. With its beautiful buildings and places to discover, this is one of the best spots to start your adventures in Bilbao. Therefore, we recommend staying close to Posta Kalea, where you will find plenty of excellent options for accommodation that fit your needs.
Discover the charm of the Seven Streets and this unique set of streets that hold the history of Bilbao. You will be close to the Plaza Barria, the central plaza of Bilbao, where you can enjoy a walk through one of the city’s most vibrant areas, surrounded by neoclassical buildings with cafes. Restaurants and bars are just a 2-minute walk from your stay. Close to this area, you can visit the archaeological museum of Bizkaiko Arkeologi Museoa in Mallona Galtzada and the religious art museum of Bilboko Pasoen Museoa in Iturribide Kalea, 280 m from your accommodation.
Enjoy the culture of Bilbao and see a show in the Arriaga Theater in Arriaga Plaza. This neo-Baroque style riverside theater from the late XIX century is one of the main theaters in the region to enjoy excellent quality theater, music, dance, and zarzuela, at 260 m from your accommodation. Or visit the market of Erribera Merkatua in Erribera Kalea, where you can enjoy local products and great views of the Nervión River, 350 m from your lodging.
You will have great proximity to the Bilbao Metro system in the station of Zazpikaleak in Mallona Galtzada, 250 m from your stay. Also, you will be close to the Abando District, where you can enjoy many landmarks, plazas, and museums, such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Abandoibarra Etorb, 1.7 km or a 5-minute car ride from your stay.
Taste the local gastronomy at a short distance from your stay. Visit Los Fueros in Foru Kalea, and try the local specialties and wines in a beautiful stately building. 180 m from your stay, or enjoy delicious tapas at the highly rated Baster at the end of Posta Kalea, 120 m from your accommodation.
Discover the Old Town of Bilbao and enjoy the charm of the Seven Streets of the historical areas by staying close to Posta Kalea.
Enjoy the cultural life in Bilbao.
Bilbao is a place to enjoy the best cultural offer of Northern Spain. Experience the culture of Bilbao, surrounded by the best museum, modern buildings, and the best gastronomy in the city. We recommend the areas near Alameda de Recalde, where you can enjoy the city life of Bilbao, close to great spots to discover.
You will be in the center of the cultural activity in the city. First, discover the museums near your stay and start your visit in the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Abandoibarra Etorb, 800 m from your accommodation. Enjoy works of art of the XX century in one of the best modern museums of Europe, designed by the famous architect Frank O. Gehry and opened in 1997. Next, discover the Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao in Museo Plaza to discover works of Basque artists and other Spanish painters like Velázquez, Goya, and Picasso, 550 m from your stay. End with a visit to the maritime museum of Bilboko Itsas Museoa in Ramón de la Sota Kaia to learn about the shipbuilding and the history of Bilbao, 1.1 km from your lodging.
This area is the best to start exploring the city’s architecture, as you can walk through Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro and the Urkixo Zumarkalea. These streets have plenty of excellent examples of routes to discover the architecture that makes up the city. Have leisure time at the nearest park of Casilda Iturrizar parkea near Museo Plaza, and enjoy one of Bilbao’s most extensive parks with lawns, a pond, fountains, and a pergola, 750 m from your stay, or enjoy a football match at the Santimami Stadium in Paseo Rafael Moreno “Pitxitxi”, at a 1.2 km from your accommodation. Finally, don’t forget to visit the cultural center of Azkuna Zentroa Alhóndiga Bilbao in Arriquibar plaza to enjoy temporary exhibitions, art performances, and workshops 350 m from your stay.
Taste the great food in the city’s heart and visit the Restaurante Markina in Henao Kalea, where you can try the traditional pintxos and other classic Basque dishes, 400 m from your stay. Or, enjoy a unique steak and classical Spanish dishes in a relaxed environment by visiting Restaurante Amaren in Diputazio Kalea, 280 m from your stay.
Great stays and proximity across the river.
The Nervión riverside is a great spot to enjoy relaxing views of the city and still be near the different areas to discover Bilbao by staying close to Campo de Volantín Pasealekua. Whether for a solo trip, a couple’s getaway, or a family vacation, this area of Bilbao allows you to enjoy all the necessary amenities for a perfect stay and proximity to the historic center and the most modern areas of the city.
You will be close to parks, a promenade, and bridges to enjoy nature and the proximity to the river. Visit the promenade of Areatzako Pasealekua, walk and enjoy the view of the Nervión River and come upon the Zubizuri Bridge, and discover this futuristic tied-arc design. Visit the Gasaren Plaza in Quintana Kalea and enjoy incredible views of the city from the hillside park Etxebarria park, located in former industrial land with a brick chimney overlooking the city, just a 14-minute walk from your stay.
From this area, you can move quickly between the city’s main attractions, such as the Plaza Barria in the Old town is just a 13-minute walk away from your stay, and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Abandoibarra District is just a 12-minute walk from your accommodation.
Find all the amenities you need at a short distance for an excellent stay, such as:
- There are pharmacies and health centers such as Campo Volantín Pharmacy and Orthopedics in Uriortu Kalea, 170 m from your accommodation or the public medical center of Gaztelekuko osasun-zentroa in Vianako Printzearen Kalea, 500 m from your accommodation.
- Visit the grocery stores near your stay, like Eroski Supermarket in Funikularreko Plaza, 300 m from your stay, or PrimaPrix in Castaños Kalea, 240 m from your accommodation.
- You can visit the Parque del Funicular and enjoy the stunning views of the city and unique monuments by using the cable car from the Estación Bilbao in Funikularreko Plaza, 300 m from your lodging.
Find excellent food options close to your stay, such as the tapas bar of La Pasarela in Uriortu Kalea, 160 m from your accommodation, and the Basque restaurant Ibaizabal in Campo de Volantín Pasealekua, 400 m from your stay.
Stay close to the Nervión river and enjoy relaxing views of the city in a central area to move around the city by staying close to Campo de Volantín Pasealekua.
Budget-conscious while visiting Bilbao.
Find excellent options to stay in Bilbao on a budget. The city offers many options to stay all around the city, but we recommend the areas near Areiltza Doktorearen Zumarkalea. You will be close to great spots and practical public transport to discover Bilbao.
Enjoy the proximity to the Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao and the park Casilda Iturrizar parkea in Museo Plaza, 850 m from your stay. Also, you will be at a 16-minute walk from the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Abandoibarra Etorb while you enjoy a short walk around the city. See the Iberdrola Tower, the tallest building in the town, located in Euskadi Plaza, 950 m from your accommodation.
Move around the city in any of the nearest stations and tram stops, such as the the Indautxu Subway station in Indautxu Plaza, 230 m from your stay or Sabino Arana Tram stop in Sabino Arana Etorbidea, 400 m from your lodging.
Find grocery stores nearby your stay such as Eroski Center in Indautxu Plaza, 230 m from your stay or Lidl in María Díaz Haroko Kalea, 300 m from your stay. Also enjoy the great options to eat around this area such as Zaka Restaurante in Simón Bolívar Kalea, and taste local menus in a retro-style lounge, 170 m from your stay or visit Baden Baden in Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro, to enjoy breakfasts, lunch and dinners with great wines and other local specialties 450 m from your accommodation.
For a budget-friendly stay in Bilbao we recommend the areas close to Areiltza Doktorearen Zumarkalea.
