This plan pairs Bilbao’s riverside landmarks with its atmospheric Old Town, keeping each day’s stops close together. Costs are rough per person in euros; travel times are on foot unless noted.
Budget
About €75–€110 per person for the listed visits and food, excluding accommodation and local transport.
Best time to visit
May–June or September–October for mild weather and comfortable sightseeing.
Abandoibarra and the riverside
Explore Bilbao’s modern art and architecture along the Nervión, then stay nearby for dinner and a relaxed evening.
Morning
Visit the
Give yourself two to three hours for the collection and Frank Gehry’s striking building. It’s a short walk from the riverfront to the nearby sculpture .
About €18Morning
See
Admire Louise Bourgeois’s giant spider sculpture outside the museum; allow about 5 minutes to walk from the Guggenheim entrance.
FreeAfternoon
Walk the riverside to
Follow the Nervión north to Santiago Calatrava’s white footbridge, about a 15-minute walk from . The riverside route offers lovely views of the city.
FreeAfternoon
Browse the
Head back along the river to this lively covered market, around 20 minutes on foot from . Grab a snack or browse the stalls before the evening.
About €5–€15Evening
Dinner at
Take a taxi or tram for about 10 minutes from the market to this historic restaurant near the city centre; its Basque dishes make a welcoming first-night meal.
About €25–€40
Casco Viejo and Artxanda
Spend the day among the Old Town’s historic streets and pintxos bars, then finish with a panoramic view over Bilbao.
Morning
Explore
Wander the Seven Streets, browse the arcades and soak up the neighbourhood’s lively morning atmosphere. Allow about 10 minutes to walk from the centre around .
FreeMorning
Visit Santiago Cathedral
Step into Bilbao’s Gothic cathedral, set within the Old Town; it’s about a 5-minute walk from the heart of .
About €6Afternoon
Have pintxos at
Choose a few small bites from the bars around this handsome square, roughly 5 minutes’ walk from the cathedral. It’s an easy, flexible lunch in the Old Town.
About €15–€25Afternoon
Ride the Artxanda Funicular
Walk about 15 minutes to the lower station, then take the funicular up the hillside for sweeping city views. Allow around 10 minutes for the ride.
About €4.50 returnEvening
Watch sunset at Artxanda Viewpoint
Enjoy the panorama from the summit; it’s about a 10-minute walk from the upper funicular station. Ride back down when you’re ready for dinner in town.
Free
Good to know
Museum
Book Guggenheim tickets ahead for your preferred entry time, especially on weekends.
Pintxos
Order one or two pintxos at a time and try a few bars around for variety.
Getting around
Bilbao’s centre is very walkable; a Barik transport card can be useful if you plan to use buses, trams or the metro.