With 360,000 inhabitants, Bilbao, the capital of Vizcaya, is a large industrial city but one where life is good. Founded in 1300 by Don Diego de Haro, Bilbao was originally a village of farmers and fishermen. It became a large commercial port and developed very quickly, living a flourishing period during which the Bilbao bourgeoisie built the large stately homes that you can admire in the Neguri district. Today, Bilbao has developed around the Nervion River, in a valley surrounded by mountains from which the smoke of the factories escapes. Since the installation of the Guggenheim Museum, the image of the boat anchored in the river (which is the exterior representation of the building, a work of titanium and glass designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry) has become the emblem of the city. The hotels are often "sold out" and the influx of tourists must be diverted to the surrounding area. Calatrava's Zubizuri Bridge, the Euskalduna Palace, Norman Foster's subway stations, Isozaki and Pelli's towers or Philippe Starck's Alhóndiga cultural center are other examples of the avant-garde style that has set the city on fire. The old town is very pleasant to explore. The "Siete Calles" (seven streets) are home to buildings such as the cathedral or the Arriaga, a theater inspired by the Paris Opera, as well as many traditional and trendy stores, restaurants, and bars. Don't hesitate to take the Artxanda funicular to see the city from the top of the surrounding hills.

What to visit Bilbao?

When to go to Bilbao?

When to go to Bilbao? To know when to go on vacation in Bilbao, it is a good idea to find out about the tourist seasons that punctuate the year. The high season corresponds to Holy Week, public holidays and summer on the coast. In addition, during important festivities, such as the Semana Grande in Bilbao (around August 15), prices are the same as in high season and sometimes even higher, due to the large number of visitors that they attract. The hotels are often fully booked several months in advance. The low season corresponds to the slow months, generally from the end of October to mid-March. The mid-season (optional for many hotels that divide the year solely between high and low season; in this case, the mid-season months are considered "low season. The months in which tourist activity is more moderate, despite the mild climate: March, April (except for Holy Week, of course), May, June and September. These months are certainly the best time to visit Bilbao: pleasant climate and no tourist saturation.

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Weather at the moment

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Weather all year round

Bilbao's weather depends on its oceanic climate and is therefore the opposite of that of the sunny coasts of Andalusia on hot days. Precipitation is frequent in the fall and spring, while winters are relatively mild (average 8°C). In summer, the average temperature in Bilbao is 20°C, with some heat peaks in August.

Budget

From a global point of view, life in Spain is less expensive than in France. However, don't get too excited, because in Bilbao, some tourist places and hotels charge high prices, especially in the city center. However, prices drop significantly inland or in the small towns of Bizkaia. Generally speaking, restaurants, accommodation, shows, some consumer goods and all supermarket purchases are cheaper in Bilbao than in France.

Procedures

To travel to Bilbao, members of the European Union and citizens of Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Monaco only need a valid identity card or passport. Nor is a visa required for Canadians if their stay is less than three months in Bilbao and Spain in general. Don't forget your driver's license for car and motorcycle rentals.

Health

There is no risk in going to Bilbao if you know how to protect yourself from the sun! However, remember to check that your vaccinations are up to date. To find out about the health situation in the country and to receive advice, do not hesitate to consult your doctor. You can also contact the Society of Travel Medicine at the Pasteur Institute Medical Center at ✆ 01 40 61 38 62 (www.pasteur.fr; section "International Vaccinations, Travel Medicine") or visit the Cimed website (www.cimed.org), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' "Advice to Travelers" section (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs), or the National Health Watch Institute (www.invs.sante.fr). Tap water is safe to drink.

How to go to Bilbao? Our advice & tips

It is possible to use the services of a travel agency to create a tailor-made trip to Bilbao. This corner of the Spanish Basque Country is not new in the catalogs of the specialists and the links between France and Bilbao are old. Whether you opt for an all-inclusive stay, a family vacation, a honeymoon or a thematic tour, you are sure to find something to suit your needs in the tourist catalogs.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

Average price of direct flights to Bilbao airport from France: between 75 and 200 € depending on the season. Please note that the price variation depends on the airline used and, above all, on the reservation deadline. In order to get the best rates, it is essential to book well in advance to compare prices. From France, you can also reach Bilbao by bus, train or even with your own car.

Bilbao's city center and historic district can be easily explored on foot or by bicycle, but it is also possible to cover larger distances using the city's public transportation system: the city has an efficient bus network and three metro lines and a funicular, which will delight travelers in Bilbao. Cabs run throughout the city day and night.

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Pictures and images Bilbao

Cotton Club Bilbao COTTON CLUB BILBAO
Aéroport de Bilbao. Philippe GUERSAN - Author's Image
Épicerie dans le Casco Viejo. Philippe GUERSAN - Author's Image
Le musée Guggenheim, une structure en titane imaginée par l'architecte Frank Gehry. Philippe GUERSAN - Author's Image

Discover Bilbao

When to travel?

When to go to Bilbao? To know when to go on vacation in Bilbao, it is a good idea to find out about the tourist seaso...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

Bilbao's weather depends on its oceanic climate and is therefore the opposite of that of the sunny coasts of Andalusi...
Read more about it

Budget

From a global point of view, life in Spain is less expensive than in France. However, don't get too excited, because...
Read more about it

Formalities

To travel to Bilbao, members of the European Union and citizens of Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Monaco only need a...
Read more about it

Health

There is no risk in going to Bilbao if you know how to protect yourself from the sun! However, remember to check that...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

Average price of direct flights to Bilbao airport from France: between 75 and 200 € depending on the season. Please...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

It is possible to use the services of a travel agency to create a tailor-made trip to Bilbao. This corner of the Span...
Read more about it

Getting around

Bilbao's city center and historic district can be easily explored on foot or by bicycle, but it is also possible to c...
Read more about it

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