City in Basque Country, Spain
Bilbao
Basque city reinvented around the Guggenheim, with fine pintxos, a clean metro and green hills close by. Rainy, a bit reserved, and less beachy than San Sebastián; very safe and good value.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,360–3,260Comfortable, one person · €2,100–2,900Details
- Value for money35/100Better value than 34% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 24°CDetails
- Air quality10 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet263 MbpsFixed broadband, Spain medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent: comes from mountain reservoirs and is safe to drink; locals drink it freely.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$68–124Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundFREENOWVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless work almost everywhere; some small bars, pintxo counters and markets prefer cash.Details
Where to stay in Bilbao
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Casco Viejo (Siete Calles) | Pintxo bars, nightlife and central; busy on weekends |
| Abando | Business district, hotels, shops, walk to the Guggenheim |
| Indautxu | Residential, cafés and restaurants, calm long stays |
| Bilbao La Vieja and San Francisco | Cheaper, multicultural, edgier at night |
| Deusto | Student area near the university, cheaper rents |
Apps that work in Bilbao
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| FREENOW | Books licensed taxis; meters apply |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Renfe: High-speed and regional train tickets
- ALSA: Long-distance bus tickets
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and reliable at ranks and the airport. Ride-hailing coverage is limited, so taxi is the standard.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Spain.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; some small bars, pintxo counters and markets prefer cash.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Many Spanish ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros per withdrawal; Euronet machines cost more. Always decline the conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected. Round up at bars and leave 5–10% for good restaurant service; check whether service is already included.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere. Bizum, used to split bills, needs a Spanish bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen countries; passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months past departure.
- The EU Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamps since April 2026: fingerprints and photo at your first entry. Allow extra time.
- ETIAS, the planned €20 online authorisation, isn't required yet (October 2026); check travel-europe.europa.eu for its start date.
Emergency numbers
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Phone shops and airport kiosks sell prepaid SIMs (Orange, Vodafone, Digi, Lebara); about €10–25 for 30–100 GB. Passport required to register. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Spain
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.