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Bilbao may not be as picturesque as its neighbor San Sebastián, with whom it maintains an unspoken rivalry. But it has an undeniable energy, a current running beneath its surface that’s impossible to contain. Philosopher Miguel de Unamuno, a Bilbao native, once called it a “strong and anxious town” filled with “ambitious merchants.” He wrote those words in 1908, and even today, the city exudes that same restless drive, which always seems to end up at its bars and tables.
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Our Backstreets Envoys, Always Searching for the Next Hidden Gem
Bilbao Photographer
Aritz is a food lover who, one day, was taught how to use a camera. That sparked a passion and shortly after, those two worlds of food and photography were brought together. Now he dedicates himself to bathing fabulous dishes in light while he immortalizes them with his camera.
Bilbao Food Tour Leader
Born and raised in Getxo (Bizkaia), a coastal town near Bilbao, Gonzalo moved to San Sebastian in 2020 to get his master’s degree in gastronomic tourism at the Basque Culinary Center. As a tour guide focusing on food and wine in San Sebastian and Bilbao, he loves to help his guests come to love the Basque country and its gastronomy. As a self-described “craft beer geek and wine lover,” he also loves to show visitors the unique way Bilbao relates to its culinary culture and the city’s historical richness.
Bilbao Correspondent
Guillermo is the son, grandson, and great-grandson of female cooks, a waiter since his teenage years, and a gourmand for as long as he can remember. With a degree in History and Journalism, Guillermo writes restaurant reviews for El Correo newspaper, chronicles of the main culinary events for the Colpisa agency, and features for the magazine 7 Caníbales. In his weekly column Dejo Comanda, he reflects on the role of waiters and service in the gastronomic scene.
Lakshmi, Bilbao Correspondent
Lakshmi is a food writer, editor, and educator. She teaches in the Master’s programs in Gastronomic Journalism at the Basque Culinary Center and The Foodie Studies (Madrid) and is a regular contributor to specialized gastronomy media outlets such as El País, Guía Repsol, 7Caníbales, Jot Down, Bon Viveur and Condé Nast Traveler, among others. Additionally, she oversees several editorial lines at the gastronomic publishing house Col&Col.
Bilbao Correspondent
Marti is the award-winning author of Basque Country (Artisan, 2018) and The Book of Pintxos (Artisan 2024). She is an experienced speaker, chef and journalist with an expertise in Spanish and Basque cuisine, vermouth, wine and European travel. She has lived in San Sebastián, Spain since 2010 and has been writing for nearly two decades.
Bilbao Tour Leader
Paul has been living in Bilbao since 2002, but was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Wisconsin. He works as a translator and tour guide, where he shares his passion for language and culture. A true food lover at heart, Paul enjoys culinary experiences, fine wine, and craft beers, and if he´s not trying out a new pintxo bar, he’s cooking with locals in a local culinary club.
Bilbao Tour Leader
Born in Northern California, Kaya has been living in Bilbao since 2013. She initially moved here to study international business, which then changed to Basque history, and immediately fell in love with the city and its culture. Kaya grew up with a father who worked as a chef, so food has always been an important part of her life and as a way of bringing people together. Living in Bilbao and being surrounded by its amazing gastronomy has seen her love and passion for food grow from a hobby to a career.
CB’s work was started in 2009 by Ansel Mullins and Yigal Schleifer as a humble food blog called Istanbul Eats. The following year we published a book of our reviews, now in its tenth edition. That year we also launched our first culinary walk in Istanbul, a route we are still using today. In 2012, we realized that what we built in Istanbul was needed in other cities we knew and loved. We started CB that year with Athens, Barcelona, Mexico City and Shanghai as pioneering members of our network. Since then, we’ve been regularly adding worthy destinations – culinary capitals where the food tells an even bigger story – to our network. Today, we work in over 20 different locations on four continents.
Where is Bilbao?
Bilbao is the biggest city of the Basque Country, a region in northern Spain with its own culture and language, Euskera. It’s an industrial port town that’s been given new life, nestled in a valley surrounded by green mountains, by the Nervión River estuary that flows into the Bay of Biscay.
What are the best things to do in Bilbao?
Bilbao is a city that’s reinvented itself. Yes, there’s the iconic Guggenheim Museum, but also explore the Casco Viejo (Old Town) with its narrow streets and pintxos bars. Walk along the river, take the funicular up Artxanda Mountain for panoramic views, and soak up the Basque atmosphere. And, of course, eat. A proper pintxos crawl is practically mandatory.
When is the best time of year to visit Bilbao?
Summer (June-August) can get busy. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Even winter (November-March) can be enjoyable, though expect some rain.
What is the weather like in Bilbao?
Bilbao has a mild, oceanic climate. You can expect rain throughout the year, but it’s nothing too rough. Summers are warm, with average highs around the low 70s°F. Winters are cool, with highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s.
Is Bilbao expensive?
Bilbao is generally more affordable than other major European cities, but it’s not as cheap as some parts of Spain. Pintxos, or small bites, can be a budget-friendly way to eat, with each one costing around 2-4 euro. A sit-down meal might be 20-50 euro per person, with high-end gastronomy on offer as well. A 3-star hotel can range from 70-150 euro per night.
Is Bilbao safe?
Bilbao is a very safe city with low crime. As always, be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas and at night, but generally, you can feel comfortable exploring.
What is the best food in Bilbao?
Pintxos have it all. These are the Basque take on tapas – small, elaborate snacks, often served on a slice of bread and held together with a toothpick. Beyond pintxos, try the grilled txuletas (beef steaks, often aged), and the traditional dishes like bacalao al pil-pil (cod in a garlicky olive oil sauce), txipirones en su tinta (squid in its own ink), or marmitako (a hearty tuna stew). And don’t forget the Basque cider and wines – Txacolí and Rioja Alavesa!
Where is the best place to stay in Bilbao?
The Casco Viejo (Old Town) is great for atmosphere and pintxos hopping, but can be noisy. Abando (the city center) offers a mix of convenience and modern amenities. Indautxu is a more residential area, but still well-connected.
What is the COVID-19 situation in Bilbao?
Spain’s COVID-19 restrictions have largely been lifted. Always check the latest guidelines from both the Spanish government and your home country before traveling.
Can Americans travel to Bilbao?
Americans can visit Spain for tourism without a visa for up to 90 days.
Can I fly directly to Bilbao?
Bilbao Airport (BIO) has direct flights from many European cities, and some international connections as well.
What is the best restaurant in Bilbao?
For a casual pintxos experience, wander through the Casco Viejo and hop from bar to bar – try Gure Toki or a local-looking bodega. For a more formal meal, consider any of the great traditional classics like Los Fueros, Porrue or La Despensa de Etxanobe. For a splurge, you can always count on the several Michelin-starred spots in town like Mina or Zarate. Though, we are partial to the more low key when it comes to contemporary, like Lucky Baster. But remember, some of the best food is found in Bilbao’s unassuming bars.
Are there beaches in Bilbao?
Bilbao itself isn’t on the coast, but there are several beaches within easy reach by metro or bus. Getxo (reachable by metro) has several beaches, including Ereaga and Arrigunaga. Sopelana (also reachable by metro) is popular with surfers.
Is Bilbao suitable for children?
Bilbao is a family-friendly city. There are parks, playgrounds, and the Guggenheim itself can be engaging for kids. The pintxos culture we’ve been going on about can be surprisingly kid-friendly – there’s usually something for everyone. The metro and tram make getting around easy.
Is Bilbao accessible for folks who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility?
Bilbao has made significant strides in accessibility. The modern areas, including the Guggenheim and much of the riverfront, are generally well-equipped with ramps and elevators. The metro system is largely accessible. However, the Casco Viejo, with its narrow, cobblestone streets and uneven terrain, can be challenging. It’s best to research in advance.
