Where to stay in Bilbao [Best Places to Stay for 2024]

Bilbao aerial panoramic view. Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country in northern Spain.

There are many reasons to visit the Basque country capital of Bilbao Spain. The Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum is one of the coolest places to photograph in Bilbao, let alone the amazing collection of modern art inside.

Day trips to San Sebastian are also possible from Bilbao, where you can see where thousands of pilgrims begin their Camino de Santiago walk.

While Bilbao is a fairly concentrated area, with many of the best attractions in the city center, however there are several interesting neighborhoods with Bilbao accommodation options.

With this guide, you can safely choose what part of Bilbao to stay in, as well as the best hotels in Bilbao.

We will cover off all types of Bilbao accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Bilbao hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Bilbao Spain 2024.

This guide shows the best Bilbao hotels, best places in Bilbao to visit, the best places to stay in Bilbao, hotels near Bilbao attractions, Bilbao neighborhood guide and many more.

Below are 7 of the best neighborhoods in Bilbao to help you make the right decision when trying to work out best areas to stay in Bilbao for you. We have tried to make the guide as easy to follow as possible.

We have also included some things to do or places to visit as well as some eatery suggestions of either our favourite places or some funky places to eat at within the areas in Bilbao so you can use this as a go to guide to pick the best accommodation in Bilbao for you.

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Table of Contents

Casco Viejo Bilbao – Where to stay in Bilbao for first timers

In the heart of Bilbao is the Old Town, or Casco Viejo. Whether you are coming to Bilbao for nightlife, the foodie scene or just to soak in the Spanish culture, Old Town is the best place to stay in Bilbao for first-time visitors.

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of bars and restaurants to enjoy in Bilbao’s Old Town area, as well as many Bilbao hotels and hostels. Plaza Nueva sits at the center of Old Town, with beautiful Neoclassical architecture from 1821.

The central square is the best place for people watching from a sidewalk cafe on a warm summer evening. Don’t miss the Mercado de la Ribera, Europe’s largest indoor market, with over 10,000 square meters of space.

Best places to stay in Old Town Bilbao

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Old Town Bilbao

Budget accommodation in Old Town Bilbao

Mid range accommodation in Old Town Bilbao

Family Friendly accommodation in Old Town Bilbao

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Old Town Bilbao

Matiko – Where to stay in Bilbao for Foodies

Bilbao offers the best of both worlds for travellers and foodies alike. At the edge of the Nervión River, located in the centre of Basque Country, lies Matiko Bilbao, a suburb, full of rich culture and amazing gastronomy.

Take a stroll down Plaza del Gas to get a taste of traditional Basque cuisine or head over to Chimenea Parque Etxebarria for some delicious tapas.

A visit to Mirador De Etxebarria is also not to be missed; from here you can enjoy spectacular views of the river while enjoying some wonderful local food. Whatever your taste buds desire, Matiko Bilbao has something for everyone!

Best places to stay in Matiko Bilbao

Budget accommodation in Matiko Bilbao

Mid range accommodation in Matiko Bilbao

Family Friendly accommodation in Matiko Bilbao

Bilbao riverside near Guggen Museum, Basque Country

Downtown Bilbao/Abando – Where to stay in Bilbao tourists

Downtown Bilbao, or Abando, is centered around Plaza Moyua, and is another great option when choosing where to stay in Bilbao.

Many of Bilbao’s best attractions can be found around Plaza Moyua, including the famous Guggenheim Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Santiago Cathedral and the main shopping areas along Plaza Moyua and Gran Via El Corte.

If you are a luxury traveler, or like to travel on points, this is the best place to stay in Bilbao. Hotels like the Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao offer a luxury stay in this modern neighborhood of Bilbao.

Best places to stay in Downtown Bilbao

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Downtown Bilbao

LATROUPE La Granja

Budget accomodation in Downtown Bilbao

Mid range accommodation in Downtown Bilbao

Family Friendly accommodation in Downtown Bilbao

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Downtown Bilbao

Indautxu Bilbao – Where to stay in Bilbao for nightlife

Just west of Abando is the Bilbao district of Indautxu, the nightlife hub of Bilbao. The area was once a warehouse district for wine merchants, and now houses many bars and nightclubs.

Palacio Euskalduna is a popular concert hall built in the former shipyards along the water; today the space draws big crowds for classical and rock music performances.

With a Bilbao metro station, you can easily access other areas of Bilbao for the day while returning to your Indautxu hotel in the evening.

Best places to stay in Indautxu Bilbao

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Indautxu Bilbao

Budget accommodation in Indautxu Bilbao

Mid range accommodation in Indautxu Bilbao

Family Friendly accommodation in Indautxu Bilbao

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Indautxu Bilbao

Bilbao La Vieja – Where to stay in Bilbao for families

Across the river from Old Town is La Vieja, one of Bilbao’s trendiest neighborhoods. This is where the hipsters hang, and the area is nicknamed “Bilbi.”

If you want to hang with the locals and absorb modern Spanish art, cuisine and fashion, then La Vieja is the best place to stay in Bilbao.

There are tons of cafes, bars and restaurants, surrounded by colourful street art, so don’t forget to bring your camera! Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian, is popular here, as is the Pinxtos that Bilbao is famous for.

Even if you don’t opt to stay in La Vieja, definitely plan an evening to enjoy one of the rooftop bars or riverside terraces.

Best places to stay in La Vieja

Budget accommodation in La Vieja

Mid range accommodation in La Vieja

Family Friendly accommodation in La Vieja

San Francisco Bilbao – Where to stay in Bilbao on a budget

If you want to know where to stay in Bilbao on a budget, the San Francisco neighborhood is a good option.

This area of Bilbao has mixed reviews, so you have to decide if it’s the right neighborhood for you. It’s the red light district of Bilbao, so there is some unsavory activity at night.

However, it’s also a thriving multicultural neighborhood, with immigrants from around the world, bringing their cuisine and traditions to Bilbao.

This is also where you’ll find many of Bilbao’s LGBT nightclubs, so there are many reasons to stay in San Francisco.

Best places to stay in San Francisco Bilbao

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in San Francisco Bilbao

Budget accommodation in San Francisco Bilbao

Mid range accommodation in San Francisco Bilbao

Family Friendly accommodation in San Francisco Bilbao

Deusto Bilbao – Where to stay in Bilbao for backpackers

Across the river from Guggenheim and Abando is the student district of Deusto, home of Deusto University.

This is another great place to stay in Bilbao if you are traveling on a tight budget, as there are many inexpensive options for food and drink.

The beautiful Parque de Botica Vieja along the water is a great place for a stroll or a picnic.

Elsewhere in Deusto, you’ll find many Pinxto bars, vintage boutiques and bookshops. For the younger traveler, or young at hear, this is a great place to stay in Bilbao.

Best places to stay in Deusto Bilbao

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Deusto Bilbao

Budget accommodation in Deusto Bilbao

Mid range accommodation in Deusto Bilbao

Family Friendly accommodation in Deusto Bilbao

The University of Deusto in Bilbao Biscay Basque Country Spain

Top 5 favorites accommodation options for Bilbao

❤️ Best Area first timers	Old Town or Casco Viejo
💸 Best Luxury Hotel	Hotel Carlton
👪 Best Hotel for For Families	Apartamentos Líbere Bilbao La Vieja
🏨 Best Mid-Range Hotel	Hesperia Bilbao
🛏️ Best Budget Hotel	Ibis Bilbao Centro
✨ Best Hostel	Bilbao Metropolitan Hostel by Bossh Hotels

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Author

Samantha King

Sam, a seasoned traveler across four continents and 49 countries, is a leading authority in travel planning. Her website, Travelling King, offers tailored itineraries and expert guides for seamless trips. Sam's expertise in luxury travel, fast travel, and destination guides keeps her at the forefront of the travel community.

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