Where to stay in Bilbao: advice and the best neighborhoods to stay

Bilbao is a relatively small city compared to other Spanish destinations, and getting oriented is not difficult. Administratively, the city is divided into 8 districts, and among these, 4 are of tourist interest: Ibaiondo (the fifth district, includes the neighborhoods of Casco Viejo, Bilbao la Vieja, and San Frantzisko), Abando (the sixth district of the city, includes the neighborhoods of Abando and Indautxu), Begoña (the fourth district of the city, includes the neighborhood of Santutxu), and Deusto (the first district of the city, includes the neighborhood of Deusto). Here's everything you need to know about where to stay in Bilbao.

Bilbao has several central neighborhoods ideal for staying, especially if it's your first time visiting the city. If you seek tranquility, Abando and Santutxu are recommended. Abando is home to the famous Guggenheim Museum and represents the modern center of the city, ideal for families wanting amenities close at hand. Santutxu, on the other hand, is surrounded by large parks and is located not far from the Old Town.

If you are looking for entertainment, we recommend Casco Viejo, Indautxu, Bilbao la Vieja, and San Frantzisko. These neighborhoods are all very central and represent the heart of the Basque nightlife. Each district offers a different nightlife, from pintxos bars, especially in Casco Viejo, to nightclubs in Indautxu.

If you want to save money, choose Deusto, a district that develops around the well-known university. Being a university district, it is also ideal for young people with a vibrant nightlife.

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Best accommodations: we have selected the best hotels, B&Bs, and hostels in Bilbao. Check out our recommendations and book on Booking

If you are in Bilbao for work or as a layover on your way to other destinations, consider the opportunity to stay near the airport. You will find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com

Casco Viejo, in the local language Zazpikaleak, is the historic center of Bilbao, a true labyrinth of streets filled with quaint shops, bars, and monuments. It is also home to famous attractions: here you can find the Bilbao Cathedral, the Basque Archaeological, Ethnographic and Historical Museum, the Arriaga Theater, and the historic Erribera Market.

Being the heart of the city, it is one of the best areas to stay, especially for a first visit to Bilbao, but it is particularly recommended for those seeking nightlife and entertainment. The neighborhood is very lively in the evening, especially on the streets around Plaza Nueva. Here you will find mainly pintxos bars, where you can savor pintxos, the Basque version of tapas.

Lastly, staying here allows you to move around on foot. The La Vieja neighborhood can be reached by simply crossing one of the bridges over the river, and the famous Guggenheim Museum is just a 20-minute walk away. The neighborhood is also served by the metro and the Casco Viejo train station.

The average prices in the neighborhood start at around €70.00 per night - compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking

Bilbao la Vieja and San Frantzisko are two small neighborhoods located on the opposite bank of the river from Casco Viejo and are the centers of Bilbao's nightlife. Bilbao la Vieja, in Basque Bilbao Zaharra, is the hipster and artistic heart of the city, rich in boutiques and galleries, vintage shops, and bars, while San Frantzisko is the multicultural neighborhood. They develop right next to each other, almost as one neighborhood.

They are definitely two neighborhoods recommended for young people and those looking for fun. Here you will find numerous trendy bars and nightclubs, and they are very lively in the evening. Specifically, San Frantzisko, once a degraded neighborhood, has been revitalized and has become a cornerstone for the LGBT community.

Staying here, you can move around on foot or by public transport. Casco Viejo can be reached on foot by crossing one of the bridges over the river, as can Abando neighborhood with the famous Guggenheim (20 min). The neighborhood is also served by the train station.

The average prices in the neighborhood start at around €70.00 per night - compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking

Abando is the central and modern district of Bilbao. Compared to Casco Viejo, where you can sense a traditional atmosphere, this district features wide avenues, luxury shops, major chain hotels, and international restaurants. It also hosts important attractions such as the famous Guggenheim Museum, the Zubizuri Bridge, and the Gran Via Don Diego Lopez Haro, the long avenue lined with luxury shops that continues into the Indautxu district.

Given its features and the abundance of amenities, Abando is especially suited for families and those seeking tranquility. It is indeed an elegant area, with some nightlife options but definitely quieter than other areas in the historic center. It is particularly recommended if it's your first time visiting Bilbao given its location.

From here, you can easily walk. The main attractions, like those in Casco Viejo, are within a maximum of 20 minutes on foot; the Indautxu district with the Fine Arts Museum is right next door.

The average prices in the neighborhood start at around €60.00 per night - compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking

Indautxu is located right next to the Abando neighborhood, they are part of the same district, and it is a very lively area rich in art. It hosts the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, the wonderful Casilda Iturrizar Park, and the large Euskalduna Palace event center. It is also traversed by the avenue Gran Via Don Diego Lopez Haro, filled with shops and cafes.

And while Abando is the central neighborhood recommended for families, Indautxu is the central neighborhood recommended for young people and those seeking fun. In the evening, the district is lively due to the numerous venues. You can opt for a cocktail in one of the many lounge bars or party until dawn in a club.

Staying here, you can move around on foot or with public transport. Abando is right next door, while Casco Viejo can be reached in about 20 to 30 minutes depending on your starting point. The neighborhood is also served by the metro and the train station.

The average prices in the neighborhood start at around €60.00 per night - compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking

Santutxu is a residential neighborhood south of Casco Viejo. It is a quiet area surrounded by greenery: on one side, you have the Mina Del Morro Park, and on the opposite side, the Europa Park. It does not have many major attractions, but it has numerous amenities such as restaurants, shops, and hotels.

Given its characteristics, Santutxu is an ideal neighborhood for families and those seeking tranquility. It is quiet both day and night, yet you will still be in a good location, even if slightly removed from downtown, and you won't have to give up essential services.

Finally, staying here allows you to move around on foot or by public transport. You can walk to the Casco Viejo, while to reach the Abando neighborhood, it's recommended to take the metro from Santutxu station (5 min to Moyua station along the Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro).

The average prices in the neighborhood start at around €60.00 per night - compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking

Deusto is the university district of Bilbao. Here, you will find the Deustuko Unibertsitatea with various faculties, such as the Economics and Business department, and the conservatory. It is therefore a very lively area both during the day and at night, thanks to the presence of several student residences.

Given all these premises, the neighborhood is ideal especially for young people. Additionally, being a university neighborhood, even though it is further from downtown, it is still rich in amenities, from grocery stores to shops, restaurants to bars. There are also large green areas and enjoys a splendid view of the river.

Staying here allows you to move even on foot, but the best solution is to use the metro. The neighborhood has 3 metro stations (Deustu, Sarriko, and San Ignazio), and the metro leads directly to Abando (6 min) and then to Casco Viejo (7 min).

The average prices in the neighborhood start at around €60.00 per night - compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking

Generally, Bilbao is a city of transit, where one stops for a few days before continuing along the Basque coast to discover this area of Spain. For this reason, the best solution is to stay in the city: as we have seen, there are many options available, and neighborhoods suitable for every need.

In the surroundings, you mainly find small towns with fewer services and accommodations, leading to a more limited choice. Moreover, by staying outside, you must consider transportation, and for short stays, it is certainly not a recommended solution.