Discover the Best Things to Do in Bilbao for First-Time Visitors

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao was opened in 1997 and is one of the largest museums in Spain, attracting approximately 1.3 million visitors each year. It didn’t just put Bilbao on the map—it fundamentally changed the city’s trajectory and sparked what urban planners now call the “Bilbao Effect.”

The museum was designed by architect Frank Gehry and is renowned for its innovative and sculptural building design, featuring random curves and reflective panels. The experience begins before you step inside. Notable outdoor installations at the Guggenheim include “Puppy” by Jeff Koons, a large floral sculpture standing 12 meters tall and covered with over 37,000 flowers that change seasonally.

Equally impressive is “Maman” by Louise Bourgeois, a giant spider sculpture symbolizing maternal protection. Don’t miss Anish Kapoor’s “Tall Tree & the Eye,” with its 28 stacked reflective spheres, or the hourly fog installation by Fujiko Nakaya that transforms the riverside into an ethereal mist.

Discover the Guggenheim Museum on a guided tour featuring both permanent and rotating exhibitions, with modern and contemporary masterpieces by artists such as Richard Serra and Jeff Koons.

Bilbao’s Casco Viejo, the medieval old quarter, features narrow streets and historical buildings that transport you back centuries. Also called “Las Siete Calles” (the Seven Streets), this is the heart of the original city—ideal for wandering without a fixed plan and discovering hidden corners.

The Santiago Cathedral, dedicated to the patron saint of pilgrims, is a significant Gothic structure in the Old Town of Bilbao, dating back to the 15th century. It’s connected to the Camino de Santiago via the northern pilgrim route and still draws thousands of walkers annually. Its flying buttresses and cloister (which hosts summer concerts) make it architecturally noteworthy.

The Church of San Anton, the oldest building in Bilbao, is located next to the Mercado de la Ribera and is an important historical landmark in the city. The adjacent San Anton bridge was rebuilt in 1917 but maintains its historic character. Plaza Nueva anchors the neighborhood with its neoclassical arcade featuring 64 arches and over 30 pintxos bars. A weekly flea market fills the square on Sundays.

Explore these streets on a walking city tour of Bilbao, discovering captivating landmarks, Baroque facades, traditional Basque shops, and lively squares. By night, the neighborhood transforms as pintxos bars spill onto the cobblestones and locals gather late into the evening.

The Funicular de Artxanda, in operation since 1915, offers a scenic three-minute ride to the top of Mount Artxanda, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Bilbao and access walking trails. This historic ride is Spain’s second-oldest funicular and remains one of the best things to do in Bilbao for photography and perspective.

Departing near the river in the Indautxu area, two counterbalanced 50-passenger cars climb 775 meters of track at a 32-degree angle. In three minutes, you rise 229 meters above the city center.

Artxanda Funicular offers panoramic views of Bilbao and the surrounding mountains—a 360-degree sweep that includes the Guggenheim’s curves, seven bridges crossing the Nervión River, Casco Viejo’s church spires, and the green Bizkaia hills beyond.

Bilbao is home to several parks and green spaces, providing urban escapes for visitors looking to enjoy nature within the city. From Artxanda, you can access 5km of moderate hiking loops through the surrounding hills.

Bilbao’s transformation is best appreciated from the Nervión River and along the flat riverside paths that now line what was once a toxic industrial waterway. The estuary has been cleaned and dredged since 2000—salmon have returned, and the promenades stretch 40km through the city.

From the water, you’ll see landmarks impossible to appreciate from street level: the red arch of La Salve Bridge framing the Guggenheim, the curved glass deck of the Zubizuri Bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava, and the contrast between old industrial areas and modern residential neighborhoods.

Exploring Bilbao by e-bike is a popular way to see the city, allowing visitors to cover more ground while enjoying the sights and getting some exercise. The city’s riverside paths are flat, but hills climb quickly into surrounding neighborhoods—e-bikes with Bosch motors handle the 10% gradients effortlessly.

For adventurous travelers, kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals are available on calmer river sections. Wetsuits are mandatory—water temperatures range from 12-18°C—and conditions depend on weather and tide.

A Basque cooking class ranks among the most memorable things to do in Bilbao for food lovers. Rather than just eating the cuisine, you’ll learn the techniques behind dishes that have made this region famous—skills you can take home.

Typical classes run 3-4 hours and follow this structure:

1. Market visit – Often to La Ribera Market to select fresh ingredients (learning to choose proper cod, local peppers, and seasonal produce)
2. Hands-on preparation – Cooking 4-5 dishes under chef guidance
3. Open bar – Txakoli wine and Rioja throughout the session
4. Sit-down meal – Enjoying everything you’ve prepared

Some classes focus specifically on pintxos, teaching you to plate creative bites using cod, mushrooms, Idiazabal cheese, and local charcuterie—the art inside Basque food culture.