Bilbao in 5 days

Basque powerhouse of striking architecture, the Guggenheim, pintxos bars and a gateway to the rugged coast. Best time to visit: May-September. Average daily budget: $90 to $150 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Casco Viejo, The medieval old town: the 'Seven Streets', market and pintxos bars.

Morning: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Gehry's titanium masterpiece, with Jeff Koons' flower 'Puppy' outside.

Afternoon: Explore Casco Viejo, The medieval old town: the 'Seven Streets', market and pintxos bars.

Evening: Casco Viejo pintxos crawl. Bar-hop the old town's 'Seven Streets' for Basque bites.

Eat: Pintxos hopping in the Casco Viejo

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Abando / Ensanche, The elegant 19th-century grid with shops and the Guggenheim nearby.

Morning: Funicular up Mount Artxanda. Ride up for the classic panorama over the city and river.

Afternoon: Explore Abando / Ensanche, The elegant 19th-century grid with shops and the Guggenheim nearby.

Evening: Ribera Market & riverside walk. One of Europe's largest covered markets, then a stroll along the Nervión.

Eat: Bacalao al pil-pil, Basque salt-cod classic

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Abandoibarra, The riverside cultural strip around the Guggenheim.

Morning: The Azkuna Zentroa, a Philippe Starck-designed cultural centre and pool.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Abandoibarra, The riverside cultural strip around the Guggenheim.

Evening: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the dramatic island chapel up the coast.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Txuleta, the famous aged Basque beef steak

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Indautxu, A buzzy, more local district of bars and restaurants.

Morning: The Fine Arts Museum, often overshadowed by the Guggenheim.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Indautxu, A buzzy, more local district of bars and restaurants.

Evening: A txakoli (Basque white wine) tasting in a local bar.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Txakoli, the slightly sparkling local white wine

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Basque coast (nearby), San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Getxo and surf beaches.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Basque coast (nearby), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Basque coast (nearby), San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Getxo and surf beaches.

Evening: Dinner at Pintxos hopping in the Casco Viejo, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Basque coast (nearby).

Eat: Pintxos hopping in the Casco Viejo

Hidden gems

The Azkuna Zentroa, a Philippe Starck-designed cultural centre and pool.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, the dramatic island chapel up the coast.
The Fine Arts Museum, often overshadowed by the Guggenheim.
A txakoli (Basque white wine) tasting in a local bar.

Getting around

Bilbao's sleek metro, trams and buses make the city easy and cheap to navigate, and the centre is very walkable. The funicular climbs Artxanda for views. Trains and buses reach San Sebastián and the coast in about an hour for day trips.

Safety

Bilbao is safe and relaxed. Usual pickpocket awareness applies in the busy old town and around the Guggenheim. Basque weather is changeable and often wet even in summer, so pack a light rain layer, and book popular pintxos bars or restaurants ahead at weekends.

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