Bilbao

Our most recommended things to do in Bilbao

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  1. Bilbao: 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour

  Embark on a sailing tour through the heart of Bilbao. Get a new perspective of this beautiful city from the estuary. The boat has a capacity of 80 people and seating both outside and inside. On the one-hour tour, set off from the City Hall Bridge in Pio Baroja Square through the heart of the Villa. Head toward Zorrozaurre riverbank and finally to the entrance of the Deusto Canal. Conclude the tour where you began. On the two-hour route, begin from the same jetty in Pio Baroja Square. Cruise past Bilbao's most significant landmarks and buildings and then on a tour of the estuary to the Puente Bizkaia area.  Listen to an audioguide, available in Spanish, Basque, English, French, German, and Italian, to pick up insights into the particular route being sailed and the history of the city and its buildings, bridges, and other constructions.

  Must do activity! Perfect opportunity to take photos and videos of the Guggenheim. Very comfortable, friendly staff, and great onboard music.

  Reviewed by Hayley, 13/10/2020
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  2. Bilbao: Guggenheim Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line

  Meet your guide outside the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao to begin your 120-minute guided tour of both the inside and the outside of the museum. Learn why Bilbao was chosen as the home for the stunning Frank Gehry-designed building, and discover the structure of the building and the outdoor sculptures that surround the museum. Then, get to know the most important works of the Guggenheim's permanent and rotating collections as you wander through its galleries, atrium, and terrace in the company of your guide. Your museum entry is good for the day, so at the end of the tour, you may continue to explore the modern art collections at your own pace.

  We very much enjoyed the tour. Our guide Javier was very friendly and explained many details inside and outside the building to us. It was definitely worth booking the tour. They were also very flexible and supportive when we had to move the date for a private matter. Recommended tour and plenty of time with the guide!

  Reviewed by Maria, 14/09/2021
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  3. Bilbao: San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour

  Access the Museum between gates 19 and 20 of the famous San Mamés stadium where the tour visit begins. Then experience a unique insight into the world of football at grass level. Live the experience of a real-life footballer as you run out onto the field from the tunnel, wander through the locker rooms, and imagine the buzz of excitement in the press room. Along with the stadium tour, visit the modern and innovative Athletic Club museum, home to a wide selection of fascinating football memorabilia. Explore the museum and marvel at its collection of 500 original football-related objects that have been collected over more than a century. See the past and present of the club come to life as you admire trophies, costumes, graphics and audiovisual material celebrating the Red and Whites. There’s plenty to see and do at the museum with 4 audiovisual productions, 13 interactive systems, 600 v...

  Had the best experience ever. I’ve been at a lot of the stadiums since I’m a big Chelsea supporter, but only Athletic history made me book a tour even without the game itself. It was absolutely amazing and I can’t thank both of our tour guides enough. They were incredible & it was really interesting talking to someone who’s travelling away as well & knows their club 100%. Unfortunately I didn’t ask their name but the tour was on 26.01.20 and I would recommend this to everyone. My friend she’s not a football fan, but she enjoyed it a lot!

  Reviewed by Anna, 06/03/2020
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  4. Bilbao: Portugalete, Getxo, & Santurtzi Panoramic Boat Tour

  At the Portugalete dock, a few meters from the Hanging Bridge, board a boat designed according to traditional aesthetics. Sit comfortably inside to enjoy a drink or if you prefer, you can settle outside to enjoy the breeze of the Ria del Nervión.  During the approximately 40 minute journey, you will visit the Bahía del Abra and its three main towns of Portugalete, Getxo, and Santurtzi. This will be accompanied by an audio guide, available in Spanish, English, Basque, and French. This also includes old images of the most iconic points of these towns including the Hanging Bridge of Portugalete, the panoramic view of Getxo, and the marine life in the Port of Santurtzi. You can compare how these places have changed over the decades.  You can stop at any of the ports of these towns to freely explore the historic centers then return to board your boat when it suits you.

  Great experience , superb translation on the phone device to English, good history and interesting and beautiful . However, the location instructions should have been better with Railway and better sign posts.

  Reviewed by Stephen, 10/06/2019
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  5. From Bilbao: Basque Country Tour

  Follow the river road of Bilbao towards the coast and admire the old industrial areas that once powered Bilbao. You will visit the Transporter Bridge of Bizkaia, the oldest bridge of this type in the world, still active and considered a beloved icon by locals. Afterwards, you will see the neighborhood of Neguri and its old mansions owned by rich industrial managers before you head towards the interior of the province. Admire the traditional local houses and farm house structures, and discover the imposing old Castle of Butron. Arrive at the coastal village of Bakio, a popular summer holiday destination among Basque natives, before you follow the beautiful and wild coastal road, eventually arriving at your second stop, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. This place is said to be one of the most beautiful locations along the Basque coastline. It is a huge rock on the top the old hermitage of San J...

  This was a great tour because the destinations were remarkable and the tour guide provided so much additional insights/depth. I was disappointed that we could not walk along the stairs at Gaztelugatxe - it would have been good if the description of the tour (upon booking it) made that more clear and identified an option where that aspect was incorporated in the tour.

  Reviewed by Stefanie, 04/05/2019
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  6. Bilbao: Hop-on Hop-off Boat Trip

  Your boat route through the Bilbao estuary and the Bahía del Abra will start in the capital of Vizcaya, a few meters from the town hall bridge. From there, board a traditional boat with interior and exterior seats and enjoy a panoramic route along the Nervión Estuary. This trip can last up to 2 hours and 45 minutes. During it, see places like Canal Deusto, the Hanging Bridge of Portugalete, the city of Getxo or the fishing port of Santurtzi. In Bilbao, Getxo, Portugalete or Santurtzi, you can go down to the mainland to visit monuments freely and without haste with 24 hours to enjoy this pass.

  The audio guide worked well. The boat has a covered area as well as outside area. Snacks -beer-wine available. You can plan where you want to get off and explore. Nice 2-4 hour outing.

  Reviewed by Diane, United States, 28/08/2019
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  7. From Bilbao: Half or Full-Day Game of Thrones Guided Tour

  Dive into the real Game of Thrones experience during a tour of the incredible filming locations for Season 7. Walk in the footsteps of Tyrion, Daenerys, and Jon Snow as you explore incredible landscapes. First, walk along King's Landing beach, filmed at Muriola Beach in Barrika. Explore the location where Davos Tyrion and Gendry had to flee from the Gold Cloaks. After that, head to a medieval-like castle at Butron Castle. Take some photos with cloaks and swords and feel like a Lord or a Lady of Winterfell. Next, continue the tour with a visit to the Dragonstone Fortress at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe in Bermeo. Climb up 241 steps just like Daenerys and feel like a true Khaleesi. Take a lunch break in Bermeo where you can enjoy pintxos, tapas, and a local white wine called txakoli. Finally, make the last stop at Dragonstone beach where Daenerys first walked when she finally came back home...

  Maria did a wonderful job showing the locations and providing insights from her experience. The three sights we visited were fantastic and all very beautiful. I fully enjoyed it!

  Reviewed by Mackenzie, 14/03/2020
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  8. From Bilbao: Loyola, Getaria, Zarauz and San Sebastian Tour

  See villages trapped in between mountains like the villages of Durango, Eibar and Elgoibar! Arrive at the core of the province, and after the industrial village of Azkoitia, you will arrive at your first stop, the Sanctuary of Loyola, hometown of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Here you will visit the Basilica and the tower house where he was born and lived. Depending on the time, you may wish to attend a ceremony. Next you follow the route towards the coast on the north, passing through Azpeitia. You will also pass through Zestoa, a famous natural spa village with healing waters that attracted the royalty of Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries. Later you will arrive to the coast at Zumaia, a beautiful village very much appreciated by Basque summer tourists. Following the coastal road you will arrive at your next stop, Getaria. A unique medieval fishing vil...

  It was a great experience, learned a lot about the culture , history, and language of north Spain. The views were gorgeous. Would highly recommend. The guide was brilliant.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 29/07/2021
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  9. Bilbao: Guggenheim Museum Private Guided Visit

  A professional local guide will meet you at the entrance to the museum. Discover the temporary and permanent exhibitions in the museum during your 1.5 hour tour. This spectacular building adds to an area where the Nervión makes its marks with pleasant riverside walks. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is surrounded by promenades, parks and recently-built squares, where you can see the work of artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Eduardo Chillida, Yves Klein, Jeff Koons, and Fujiko Nakaya. Since opening in 1997, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao's acquisitions have focused on works from the mid-twentieth century to the present day, thus complementing the collections of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and forging a unique identity at the same time. Visited by about one million people every year, one of its main attractions is the ArcelorMittal gallery, which is a large space where eight works by ...

  Santiago was amazing, we utterly enjoyed the tour. Great insides about the artists, the art works and about the museum itself. Definitely recommend this private tour!

  Reviewed by Andrea, Czech Republic, 15/08/2019
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  10. Bilbao: Old Quarter Walking Guided Tour

  Over 500 years of history will be explored on this walking tour. From the Cathedral of Santiago, Plaza Nueva, the Church of St. Anton and the ruins on which it stands, to the Mercado de la Ribera. This is where the town was born, this is where the port was, and from where the city opened to the world - serving as a bridge between northern Europe and the Hispanic kingdoms. You'll be guided by your professional tour guide in a small group. Learn the history that took place in the streets that Miguel de Unamuno once walked through. Your guide will also take you on a traditional “txikiteo” or “poteo” (bar crawl) to the area's most iconic bars.

  Javier did an excellent job. Good command of English, friendly, very enthusiastic about his city. Only two people - my wife and myself - on the walking tour of the Old Quarter.

  Reviewed by William, United States, 24/09/2019