As the largest city in Spain’s Basque Country, there’s plenty to do in Bilbao for a fun-filled vacation. From wandering the Seven Streets to exploring every corner of the famed Guggenheim, you’ll love discovering all that Bilbao has to offer.
That being said, the key to a great vacation is an unbeatable place to stay. Luckily, there are plenty of places to stay in Bilbao, ranging from budget hostels filled with other travelers to soaring luxury hotels with spa treatments and incredible views.
Keep reading to find out where to stay in Bilbao, complete with a neighborhood guide!
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Where to Stay in Bilbao, Spain: Neighborhood Guide
Bilbao has several distinct neighborhoods, each with its own individual identity and unique characteristics. However, one thing they all have in common are awesome places to eat, plenty of streets to wander around, and a plethora of accommodation options.
Casco Viejo
As Bilbao’s Old Town, you can’t go wrong with a stay in the historic center. It’s central to many of Bilbao’s main attractions, filled with incredible architecture and is positively brimming with delicious places to eat (and drink).
The center of Casco Viejo is Plaza Nueva, the city’s main square that is ideal for sipping on an espresso, people watching, and soaking in the warm Spanish sunshine. Also in Casco Viejo is Bilbao’s most famous market: Mercado de la Ribera, which is also Europe’s largest indoor market!
There are loads of places to stay in Casco Viejo, from high-end hotels to budget hostels. Prices tend to be a bit expensive, but it’s worth paying for if you’d like to be in the heart of the oldest part of the city.
Abandoibarra
In terms of where all the action’s at, Abandoibarra is the place to be. The entire area is surrounded by large boulevards lined with shops, stunning architecture, and the famous Guggenheim Museum. In this area, there are also some beautiful parks, perfect for a relaxing afternoon outside, and a whole lot of fancy restaurants where you can enjoy a leisurely meal.
The best part about Abandoibarra is how easy it is to get around. It’s a well-connected neighborhood that will allow you to get anywhere you wish to go in Bilbao.
Accommodation in Abandoibarra is definitely pricey as it’s a more upscale neighborhood in the city. This is the place to look for luxury hotels — especially if you’re pining for a view of Frank Gehry’s masterpiece!
Indautxu
Indautxu is the place to be when the sun goes down. This neighborhood is famous for its wild nightlife — a mix of local taverns and boisterous nightclubs. The area comes alive at night with people filling the streets, laughing and carrying on with their drinks.
Most of the bars and clubs are around the Garcia Rivero area, but there’s also plenty to do in Indautxu besides going out.
The main draw of Indautxu (during daytime, at least) is the Azkuna Zentroa building. This center is a hub of activity both on the local and tourist side. There are often cool exhibits held in the space, sporting events, and a swimming pool for public use!
You’ll find a wide range of places to stay in this neighborhood, mostly geared towards a younger crowd.
Bilbao La Vieja
A charming neighborhood well-loved by hipsters and young couples, Bilbao La Vieja (aka Bilbi) has lots of fun spots to explore and is well-located in terms of getting around the rest of the city.
Just across the river from Casco Viejo, Bilbao La Vieja is definitely the most “artsy” area of the city. Here’s where you can find cute boutiques, unique restaurants, and chill bars. There are tons of cafes for enjoying a morning coffee and plenty of street art that’s waiting to be discovered around every turn.
For a date night or fun evening out, hit one of the many rooftop bars or sip a sangria on a riverside terrace. Anyone is sure to love this laid-back neighborhood!
There are lots of places to stay in Bilbao La Vieja, many catering to a younger crowd, couples, and families. You’ll find cool boutique hotels, interesting hostels, and luxurious stays for anyone looking to splurge on accommodation.
Deusto
For everything budget, Deusto is the number one pick in Bilbao. Set a little further outside of the city center, across the river from Abandoibarra, Deusto is home to one of the largest universities in Bilbao.
Since it’s practically student central, prices in this neighborhood tend to be lower for everything from food to accommodation.
Set along the water, this neighborhood is a charming place to stay, especially for strolling along the river and picnicking. In Deusto, you’ll also come across plenty of vintage shops, bookstores, and fun little stores.
Deusto has hostels galore for a really reasonable price. There are other places to stay as well, but this neighborhood tends to be most ideal for backpackers not looking to break the bank.
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What’s the Best Area to Stay in Bilbao, Spain?
If it’s your first time in Bilbao, you’ll love a stay in Casco Viejo. Everything is within walking distance and the entire area seeps history. Everywhere you turn, there will be a soaring cathedral or old church, city monument or a charming alley beckoning you to explore it. Since there’s a wide range of accommodation in this area, it’s generally suited to all budgets!
Abandoibarra is a great choice, if the Guggenheim is the main focal point of your trip to Bilbao. That, and if you’re interested in shopping and fine dining in the city. Things are more expensive around here, but if you don’t mind splurging, you’ll have a fair share of gorgeous hotels to choose from and have the rest of the city right out your front door.
To experience Bilbao’s nightlife, stay in Indautxu, which has a place for everyone. It’s great that there are so many accommodation options in this area because it makes getting home from a big night out a total breeze.
Bilbao La Vieja is the best area to stay in Bilbao if you’re looking to get off the beaten path. There are still tourists, albeit not nearly as many as in Old Town. Plus, this neighborhood has a distinctly chilled-out feeling to it. It’s unique and interesting, perfect for a charming stay outside of the city center.
Finally, if you’re balling on a budget, make a beeline for Deusto where you’ll find plenty of hostels and young people to spend time with. This is also the place to be for inexpensive food and drink, so you can put a few bucks towards your next plane ticket!
Editor’s Note: Traveling somewhere else in Spain?
Check out our complete guide on where to stay in Spain!
Where to Stay in Bilbao, Spain: Best Hotels and Hostels
Now without further ado, here are our top picks of hostels and hotels in Bilbao for an unforgettable stay!
Best Budget Stays in Bilbao
Don’t have much to spend on accommodations? You’ll find that Bilbao has its fair share of hostels, offering dorm beds at reasonable prices. Many are located in the city center, but the further you go out, the less expensive they become.
Here are our picks for the best hostels in Bilbao, Spain.
Poshtel Bilbao
Room Type: 18 Bed Mixed Dorm | 14 Bed Mixed Dorm | Female 12 Bed Dorm | 8 Bed Mixed Dorm | 6 Bed Mixed Dorm | 4 Bed Mixed Dorm | Double Room | Triple Room | Family Room w/ Private Bathroom WiFi: Yes Near: Guggenheim, nightlife Price Range: $21 – $149 per night
When it comes to budget accommodation, Poshtel is definitely one of the best places to stay in Bilbao. Located in Abandoibarra, Poshtel Bilbao is just 300 meters from the Guggenheim Museum and surrounded by tons of bars and restaurants. You can easily walk to Old Town and many city parks in the area!
As a premium hostel, you’ll find that Poshtel has gone to great lengths to create a funky stay for their guests. The entire building is located in a refurbished factory, with industrial details and cool accents like bike seats in place of stools and an exposed brick lounge area.
Dorms are simple but have everything you need, with beds coming equipped with a reading light, shelf, and USB port. There are also large lockers for belongings and clean shared bathrooms.
What we love most about Poshtel Bilbao is the beautiful interior courtyard, perfect for an afternoon drink, and the sauna, great for sweating out in after a long night drinking (yes, a sauna in a hostel!). On site, you can also find a bar and restaurant serving pintxos, a 24-hour front desk, a laundry room, and kitchenette.
To see prices and read reviews, check: Booking.com | Agoda
Ganbara Hostel
Room Type: 8 Bed Dorm | 6 Bed Female Dorm | 4 Bed Dorm
WiFi: Yes
Near: Siete Calles, Old Town, Basque Museum, Metro Station
Price Range: $18 – $21 per night
Sitting along one of Bilbao’s famous Siete Calles (Seven Streets), you’ll find Ganbara Hostel in the heart of Old Town. This stay is just a five-minute walk to the Basque Museum and the Casco Viejo metro station, and the Guggenheim is a quick 10-minute stroll away.
Dorms are simple but modern, with clean linens, a power outlet, and a reading light for each bunk. Each guest also gets their own locker located under the beds. The rooms are air-conditioned and the bathrooms are well taken care of, complete with a hair dryer should you need one! You can also rent towels from the front desk at a reasonable rate.
Past guests have raved about the superb breakfast (which comes included in your stay), fast WiFi, and awesome staff who’s around 24 hours a day. There are two communal lounges for getting to know other travelers and a shared kitchen if you wish to cook your own meals.
To see prices and read reviews, check: Booking.com | Agoda
Bilbao Akelarre Hostel
Room Type: 12 Bed Dorm | 6 Bed Mixed Dorm | 4 Bed Dorm
WiFi: Yes
Near: Riverfront, Deusto Metro Station
Price Range: $17 – $20 per night
If you don’t mind being a little bit further out of town, Bilbao Akelarre Hostel in Deusto offers quality budget stays in a quieter area of the city. The hostel is along the water, minutes from the riverfront park. You can reach the city center and Guggenheim in a 20-minute walk, but the property also has bicycles for rent if you wish to get there faster!
Akelarre Hostel has modest dorms with red accents and a homey feel. Each room has lockers and a small table, and the beds have little pouches dangling off the sides where you can store items like your phone or book when you go to sleep — how cute is that?
Around the hostel, you’ll find a kitchenette with a microwave, fridge, and tableware. There’s also laundry service available upon request. When you’re not out exploring Bilbao, catch up with other travelers over the delicious breakfast offered daily or answer some emails in the large lounge.
To see prices and read reviews, check: Booking.com | Agoda
Best Mid-Range Hotels in Bilbao
If you’re willing to spend a little more, you’ll find the mid-range stays in Bilbao to be pretty remarkable. Many hotels in this price category are central to Old Town and within walking distance of the city’s best attractions.
Check out the best mid-range hotels in Bilbao below!
Hotel Gran Bilbao
WiFi: Yes
Near: Bilbao Cathedral, Old Town, La Ribera Market
Price Range: $97 – $369 per night
Located a 10-minute walk from the Bilbao Cathedral and the Seven Streets district, Hotel Gran Bilbao offers a peaceful stay just next to the river. Buses to the city center stop outside of the hotel so you can get anywhere you wish to go in Bilbao with ease.
Their guest rooms are stylish and artfully decorated, with whimsical murals lining the walls. Beds are plush and cozy, set against wooden headboards with reading lights built into them aka no more getting out of bed to turn the light off! Each room also has a mini bar and a large private bathroom, a perfect recipe for unwinding after a long day.
Standard rooms are reasonably priced and offer beautiful views to boot! The hotel also has triple and quadruple rooms, ideal if you’re traveling with family or a small group.
Hotel Gran Bilbao has a swanky restaurant serving up avant-garde cuisine, as well as a gorgeous lounge area draped with golden light fixtures, colorful art pieces, and curved furniture.
For any art and design lover, a stay at Hotel Gran Bilbao is a must!
To see prices and read reviews, check: Booking.com | Agoda
Barceló Bilbao Nervión
Room Type: Deluxe Single | Superior Room | Family Room | Suite w/ View | Two Connecting Double Rooms
WiFi: Yes
Near: Guggenheim, Train Station, Old Town
Price Range: $124 – $393 per night
Just a 10-minute walk to the Guggenheim, Barceló Bilbao Nervión is a stunning four-star hotel overlooking the Nervion River. As it sits just north of Casco Viejo, a stay here means easy access to some of Bilbao’s best museums, parks, and restaurants. If you’re planning on taking a day trip, Barceló Bilbao Nervión is a 10-minute walk to the train station, perfect for a quick getaway.
Rooms are elegant and modern, with earth tones and wooden furniture. Catch up on some work at the desk space or curl up with a book on one of the comfy chairs — that is, if you can pull yourself out of the extremely comfortable bed!
Barceló Bilbao Nervión has a restaurant serving delicious Basque cuisine, a lounge with snacks and drinks, and a fully functional gym for getting a good workout. The front desk is also at your disposal 24 hours a day, and can help with anything from organizing a tour to renting a bicycle or a car.
To see prices and read reviews, check: Booking.com | Agoda
Hotel Tayko Bilbao
Room Type: Single Room | Single Room w/ Balcony & River View | Interior Double Room | Double Room w/ Street View | Double Room w/ River View | Junior Suite | Deluxe King w/ River View
WiFi: Yes
Near: Casco Viejo, Teatro Arriaga, Catedral de Santiago
Price Range: $156 – $313 per night
A mid-range stay with a luxury feel to it, Hotel Tayko Bilbao is a contemporary mishmash of concrete, metal, and brick, built on a breathtaking structure that dates back to 1924. You’ll find this beautiful building just next to the Catedral de Santiago, along the river in Casco Viejo. It’s surrounded by plenty of stellar restaurants and bars, and right down the street from Teatro Arriaga.
The rooms here are nothing short of industrial chic, with smooth concrete walls, exposed brick, and gauzy curtains framing the large windows. Each room has a flat screen TV, a modern private bathroom (fully stocked with fluffy towels and toiletries, of course), and a kettle for some morning coffee or tea.
If you feel like splurging, opt for a room with a balcony and river view to look out over Bilbao in the comfort of your robe.
Besides the outstanding architecture and wonderful staff, Hotel Tayko is home to a Michelin-star restaurant and gastrobar serving up stellar meals, perfect for any foodie looking for a gourmet feast.
To see prices and read reviews, check: Booking.com | Agoda
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Best Luxury Hotels in Bilbao
Bilbao has some amazing five-star hotels scattered throughout the city, offering luxurious stays to guests from around the world. Whether you’re looking for lavish bathtubs, Michelin-star restaurants, or stellar views, it’s all at your fingertips in Bilbao.
If you’re looking to pamper yourself, these high-end stays in Bilbao should be one of your choices!
Hotel Carlton
Room Type: Double Room | Twin Room | Superior Double or Twin | Junior Suite | Presidential Suite
WiFi: Yes
Near: Plaza de Federico Moyua Square, Gran Via, Guggenheim, Metro Station, Airport Bus Stop
Price Range: $180 – $1,932 per night
Hotel Carlton is an elegant five-star hotel located right on Plaza de Federico Moyua, in between Indautxu and Abandoibarra. It’s central to shopping, restaurants, and bars, and is a 10-minute walk to the Guggenheim. You will also find the Moyua metro station beside the hotel, allowing you to easily travel anywhere in Bilbao you wish to go.
This hotel offers two types of rooms: classic and contemporary. The contemporary rooms feature geometric wallpaper, modern furnishing and appliances, whereas the classic rooms are laden with antique furniture, gilded mirrors, and heavy drapes.
Whichever room you wind up in, a comfortable stay is guaranteed, with spacious living areas, large windows (many overlooking the city), and generous private bathrooms. For the ultimate splurge, spring for the Presidential Suite with a city view, spa tub, and additional bedroom.
If you’re ever able to pull yourself away from the marvellous room, head to the hotel’s restaurant with a menu that changes every day, the bar for a cold drink, or the fitness center for a workout.
To see prices and read reviews, check: Booking.com | Agoda
Hotel Meliá Bilbao
Room Type: Double Room | Double Room w/ View | Premium Double | Premium Double w/ Terrace | Family Room | Junior Suite | Executive Suite | Grand Suite
WiFi: Yes
Near: Dona Casilda Park, Guggenheim
Price Range: $163 – $534 per night
For celebrity treatment at a world-class hotel, book a stay at Hotel Meliá Bilbao ASAP! Sitting 300 meters from the Guggenheim Museum and next to Dona Casilda Park, you’ll adore waking up to lush green views from your window in the morning.
The contemporary-style hotel is inspired by sculptor Eduardo Chillida, with geometric designs and tons of natural light. Rooms are simple but spacious, with framed windows, large beds, and wooden accents. Spring for a premium room that comes complete with a private terrace, or a suite with plush red furnishings in the large living area.
Personally, my favorite part about the rooms here is the bathrooms, most of which come complete with a bathtub and a shower… Yes please!
Hotel Meliá Bilbao has two restaurants, one of which has a Michelin star. Enjoy a meal on the terrace overlooking the park, or dine on tapas in the Q Lounge. Other amenities here include a fully stocked fitness room overlooking the Nervión River with a sauna and massage treatments as well as a heated outdoor pool.
To see prices and read reviews, check: Booking.com | Agoda
Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao
Room Type: Double Room | Twin Room | Superior Double or Twin | Deluxe Double w/ Guggenheim View | Premium Double or Twin | Superior Double or Twin w/ Guggenheim Package | Deluxe Double w/ Guggenheim Package | Premium Double w/ Guggenheim Package | Premium Double or Twin w/ Wellness Package | Junior Suite w/ Terrace | Deluxe Suite w/ Guggenheim View | Studio w/ Terrace | Premium Suite w/ Terrace | Deluxe Suite w/ Guggenheim Package
WiFi: Yes
Near: Guggenheim
Price Range: $310 – $1,137 per night
In terms of luxury accommodation, Gran Hotel Domine is the best place to stay in Bilbao. Situated directly opposite the Guggenheim, the hotel boasts gorgeous views of the Frank Gehry masterpiece in a five-star environment.
Rooms are sleek and stylish, with large sloping windows, comfortable armchairs, and spacious desk spaces. Many rooms offer panoramic views of the Guggenheim so you can take in the architectural marvel from the comfort of your own bed.
You’ll find the bathrooms are modern and well-equipped, with plenty of towels and a bathtub for soaking in. For the ultimate stay, book the Premium Suite! It has its own terrace where you can eat breakfast while admiring the museum.
Even if you don’t splurge for the outdoor space connected to your room, you can still enjoy breakfast on the hotel’s roof terrace, which has panoramic views of the city. Gran Hotel Domine also has a fine dining restaurant, a cafe, and a lobby bar for guest enjoyment.
The amenities at this hotel are out of this world, namely the wellness center complete with a sauna and Turkish bath. A huge perk of staying at Gran Hotel Domine is that you can book a room that includes the Guggenheim Package, which grants you breakfast everyday, along with a ticket to the museum.
If the Guggenheim is the focal point of your trip to Bilbao, there’s no better place to stay than Gran Hotel Domine.
To see prices and read reviews, check: Booking.com | Agoda
Travel Must: At the risk of sounding like your parents, make sure you get travel insurance before hitting the road. Trust us, it’s one of those things you don’t want to leave home without. We recommend either World Nomads or Safety Wing, depending on the type of traveler you are.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you pick out the perfect place to stay for your holiday in Bilbao, Spain! To enjoy this incredible city, you deserve to have an equally incredible place to stay, which is completely achievable, no matter your budget.
Whether you’re counting each penny or living lavishly, there’s somewhere to stay for everyone in Bilbao. And to help you plan your time in this city, read our article on the best things to do in Bilbao!
Want more information on Spain? Check out these articles
- Best Places to Visit in Spain That You Shouldn’t Miss
- Best Time to Visit Spain: A Month-by-Month Guide to Spain Travel
- 29 Awesome Things to Do in San Sebastian (Don’t Miss Them!)
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