Best hotels in Bilbao
NYX Hotel Bilbao
Areatza Kalea, 4, 48005 Bilbao
NYX Hotel Bilbao stands only two minutes from a metro station and three minutes from Bilbao Cathedral - a perfect base for those wanting to explore the best of Bilbao. The hotel has asleek interior, with decorative artwork and a vibrant, modern atmosphere. Treat yourself in the Clash Bar, game-up on the retro arcade consoles, or sweat it out in the fitness center.
Hotel Tayko Bilbao
Erribera Kalea, 13, 48005 Bilbao
Just over a 20-minute walk from Guggenheim Museum and perched on Bilbao’s waterfront, Hotel Tayko is an elegant and convenient stay for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the city. Rooms are modern, melding industrial chic and sophisticated style. Each room comes with a desk, coffee machine, free WiFi, a private bathroom with shower, and a TV. There’s also a lounge, fitness center, and Michelin Star restaurant on site.
Ercilla de Bilbao
Ercilla Kalea, 37, 39, 48011 Bilbao
Ercilla de Bilbao is nestled in the heart of the riverside Indauztu district - a hub of modern culture and wonderful park life. Only a one-minute walk from the metro station, seven from the Museum of Fine arts, and surrounded by shops, it’s a great location to experience the best of Bilbao. Indulge your senses at the on-site restaurant, finish your day in the fitness center, and relax in rooms where vintage style meets modern design.
Best restaurants in Bilbao
ETXANOBE
Calle Juan Ajuriaguerra Kalea, 8, 48009, Bilbao
ETXANOBE embodies fine dining in Bilbao - a gastronomic restaurant in the heart of the city, with a penchant for upscale, modern dining in an intimate and elegant setting. Meat and fish dishes are masterfully plated, with sublime drink pairings and an extensive menu. Sample their five-course offering, with selections such as octopus, ribs euskaltxerri pork, or scampi carpaccio and turn your meal into an experience.
Restaurante Víctor Montes
PI. Neuva, 8, 48005 Bilbao
Víctor Montes is a well-established restaurant specializing in Basque pintxos—tapas. Set in a rustic-looking former market space, covered wall-to-wall by racks of bottles, it oozes a unique ambiance. Victor Montes has built itself as a reference to Basque Country’s cuisine and culinary roots, both in its location and its menu.
Gure Toki
PI. Neuva, 12, 48005 Bilbao
Gure Toki embodies Bilbao’s industrial history, with an industrial-chic design in a modern space that serves the best of contemporary Basque cooking and tapas. The menu features modern interpretations of traditional recipes including seafood and meat dishes.
Best things to do in Bilbao
Guggenheim Museum
Abandoibarra Etorbidea, 2, 48009
The Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, houses a wealth of modern and contemporary art, and stands as a monolith of modernism, titanium, glass, and limestone. There’s over 250 pieces on display in this unique space, and it has become a center of culture in Bilbao since it opened in 1997. Visitors from across the globe come to visit the Guggenheim for both the impressive exhibits and outstanding architecture, which is a work of art initself.
Erribera Merkatua
Erribera Kalea, 48005 Bilbao
The Erribera merkatua is a historic marketplace in Bilbao, near the Church of San Antón. There’s a fantastic selection of Basque Country ingredients among the stalls, including produce, meats, fish, bread, and pickles as well as food and drink stalls. The street’s stones, bustling with activity, give an authentic look into life in Bilbao.
Nervión River
Nervión River, Bilbao
The River Nervión winds through Bilbao, cutting through the city and creating a scenic, vibrant waterfront that joins into an estuary. Spend your day at the market nearby or enjoy a city tour on the waters passing sights such as the Maritime Museum. On foot, you can follow the river to the Guggenheim and enjoy the artworks that adorn the edge of the waterfront. Be sure to capture a photo here, for the perfect memento to look back on.