Bilbao is a city that can be visited without spending too much, as long as you make a few smart choices about accommodation, food and getting around. Unlike some of Spain's more touristy cities, Bilbao still keeps prices fairly reasonable across many of its offerings.
Choosing simpler accommodation
The first way to save money on a trip to Bilbao is to opt for simpler, family-run accommodation instead of large hotels. Guesthouses such as Pensión Manoli or Mendez ostatua tend to be more affordable alternatives while also offering an experience closer to local daily life, without the extra costs that come with hotels offering more services. Booking ahead also helps secure better rates, especially outside peak season.
Eating well without spending much
Pintxos are probably the best way to eat well in Bilbao without spending a fortune. Many bars in Casco Viejo serve pintxos at affordable prices, and it is possible to put together a full meal by trying a few different bars, almost like a small food crawl. Avoiding restaurants right next to the main tourist attractions and heading to areas more popular with locals is usually a good strategy for saving money.
Getting around the city cheaply
Bilbao has an efficient, affordable public transport system, with the metro and tram serving the main tourist areas well. For travellers staying somewhere central, it is entirely possible to explore much of the city on foot, which translates into direct savings on transport. Choosing a more urban, central stay such as IO makes it even easier to skip paid transport altogether.
Free or low-cost attractions
Not everything in Bilbao requires a ticket. Walking through the city, visiting the exterior of the Guggenheim, crossing the bridges over the Nervión River or climbing to one of the city's viewpoints, such as Arraiz Behatokia, are all free activities that let you get to know Bilbao well without spending almost anything.
- Choose guesthouses and family-run stays over large hotels.
- Do a pintxos crawl instead of eating at tourist-oriented restaurants.
- Use the metro and tram to save on longer trips across town.
- Make the most of viewpoints and outdoor walks, which cost nothing.
More ways to cut costs
Travelling as a couple or in a group makes it easier to split costs such as taxi rides or shared meals across several pintxos bars, lowering the average cost per person. It is also worth looking out for combined museum tickets and avoiding peak tourist season, since accommodation prices tend to rise considerably during the summer. Carrying a reusable water bottle and using the public fountains found throughout the city is another simple way to save money during the day.
Taking advantage of free museum hours
Several museums in Bilbao, including the Guggenheim itself, offer specific time slots or days with free or reduced admission, usually listed on their official websites. Planning visits to these cultural spaces around these hours is a simple way to save money without giving up quality experiences during your stay.
With a little planning, it is entirely possible to experience Bilbao without going over a tight budget. Compare different accommodation options with good value for money and start preparing your budget-friendly trip to the city.
