Casco Viejo Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Bilbao Old Quarter (Casco Viejo). Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local

• Pintxo and Tapas Tour With Local Food Expert

• Bilbao Reborn: Feasting in the Comeback City

• Private 6-Day Tour Basque Country Across Spain–France Border

• Gourmet Pintxos & Premium Wines Small-Groups Food Tour

It's free to visit Bilbao Old Quarter, but many travelers take a tour for an insider's insight into the area. Expect to pay from US$100 for a food-focused tour. Costs vary depending on the method of transportation, the number of inclusions, and the size of the tour, with private tours typically being the most expensive.

As well as its many eateries and bars, the must-see sights in Bilbao’s Old Quarter include the art deco Mercado de la Ribera, the Church of San Anton, the Cathedral of Santiago, the Plaza Central, and Plaza Nueva. Also check out the quarter’s original seven streets: Somera, Artekale, Tenderia, Belostikale, Old Butcher’s Shop, Barrenkale, and Barrenkalebarrena.

Yes, walking tours of the Bilbao Old Quarter are generally accessible for wheelchair users. While many streets are cobbled and some lanes are narrow and crowded at times, some tours are designed with accessibility in mind. If you need to go at a slower pace or adjust the route, book a customizable private tour.

There are good reasons to visit Bilbao’s Old Quarter throughout the day. For a stroll or a walking tour at a cooler time of day, visit during the morning. To take advantage of the quarter’s many eateries, visit around lunch or dinnertime. The area is also a good nightlife destination.

The biggest festival in Bilbao is the 9-day Aste Nagusia, or Great Week, held in mid–August. It celebrates Basque culture and turns the whole city into a party, with concerts, sporting events, activities for kids, theater, fireworks, and more. Other cultural, music, and culinary festivals are held throughout the year.