Top Bilbao Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Visitors to Basque Country can easily miss the charming capital city of Vitoria, opting to tour the smaller villages and wine regions. On this full-day tour across Basque Country, travelers don't need to choose—you'll visit both the city and countryside. Start your day walking through Vitoria's historic quarter, and then head to La Rioja for an afternoon in the vineyards and villages. Wrap up your day at a traditional winery for a wine tasting, included at no extra charge.

See several of the most charming areas of the Basque Coast with this day tour from Bilbao. You’ll start with chic Biarritz, once a summer getaway for European royals, followed by a stop at Saint Jean de Luz, a charming coastal town. Then it’s San Sebastian, where you’ll have free time to explore or grab lunch (own expense) in the famous old town, before a walking tour and visit to Mount Igueldo.

Learn all about traditional pintxos (the Basque version of Spanish tapas) on a guided walking tour of Bilbao's bars. At each stop, sample one or two of these delightful little bar snacks accompanied with a glass of wine, beer, or hard cider. Get an insider's perspective of the ancient part of the city that dates back to 1300. Consider booking this tour at the beginning of your Bilbao vacation so you can return to your favorite hotspots for more pintxo sampling.

Marvel at the scenic splendor of the Basque Country on a day trip from Bilbao that covers the highlights and helps you cross the border over to France with ease. Wander the winding streets of the city’s Old Quarter to see antique architecture and sink your toes into the silken sands of Biarritz, a sandy stretch declared the ‘Beach of Kings’ due to regular visits by European royalty. Convenient round-trip transportation from your hotel is included on this tour.

Learn more about Spanish wine on this fun small-group day tour of two wineries near Bilbao. Sample three Rioja wines and enjoy a light pintxos lunch with vegetarian and gluten-free options in Laguardia. Walk through the vineyards and learn how wine is made. A fun way to indulge in a glass or three without worrying about driving back to your hotel after.

Explore the Basque Country without having to get bogged down by transportation planning on a full-day excursion from Bilbao. With your guide leading the way so you don't have to navigate, visit grand ecclesiastical structures like the Sanctuary of Loyola; discover the fishing villages that pepper the coastline; and tour San Sebastian, renowned for its gastronomic scene.

Immerse yourself in the artistic wonder of Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum on a private tour that takes you well beyond the information panels. Enhance your understanding of contemporary and modern art masterpieces with insightful guide commentary; see timeless masterworks like Joseph Beuys’s "Lightning with Stag in its Glare" and gaze at Jeff Koons’ "Puppy". Gain fascinating insight into different art movements and hear tales of the intriguing lives of some of the artists during this culturally enriching exploration.

Discover the history of Bilbao on this guided small-group walking tour. Learn about the city’s gastronomy, culture, architecture, and traditions while you explore the streets and feel like a local. Tour highlights include the Plaza Nueva in Casco Viejo, La Ribera market, the Catedral de Santiago cathedral, the Bidebarrieta library, and more.

Make the most of your time in the Basque Country with this fusion of a bike tour and a “pintxos” tour. Riding around on a bike helps you access sights that large sightseeing buses can't reach, and it also covers more ground than a walking tour. Along the way, pass UNESCO World Heritage sites, see Vizcaya Bridge, and enjoy delicious “pintxos” and drink tastings.

Learn how to make Basque tapas (pintxos) in an intimate setting during a small-group cooking class. Your chef–instructor teaches you how to cook local recipes such as grilled cod and spicy mushrooms using seasonal produce. Sip a glass or two of wine from the open bar and taste local cheese and olive oil while you cook, then sit down to eat your creations after.

On this full-day private tour, you’ll explore the stunning coastline of the Basque region in your own chauffeured, luxury vehicle. Build your own custom-made itinerary, without the rush of a group tour. Highlights along the way include San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (where scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed), the historic city center of San Sebastian, and the iconic "flysch" of Getaria and Zumaia.

Foodies will want to join this guided walking tour of Bilbao to learn about the gastronomy of Northern Spain. Indulge in Basque tapas, pintxos, and miniature cuisine, as well as wine pairings and other traditional local drinks. Discover the roots of each dish and drink, its ingredients, and how you can recreate it at home. Experience Bilbao like the Basque people, and explore with just a small group to keep things personal.

Enjoy a dinner to remember—and discover the highlights of Bilbao’s vibrant food scene—during this small-group food tour. Meet your guide in central Bilbao, and be sure to come hungry: you’ll taste the best of the city’s many pintxos (tapas) bars. Try a number of local bites, learn all about what sets the Basque Country’s culinary offerings apart, enjoy drinks with your nibbles, and follow your guide to locals-frequented favorites.

Discover Bilbao long after the crowds have dispersed on this private walking tour. The itinerary can be completely adapted to your interests and pace, whether you are interested in history, architecture, or culture. Opt to discover top landmarks or off-the-beaten-path areas, making this a great option for small groups or families.

The Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum features on most Bilbao sightseeing itineraries, but often only gets an exterior look. This tour lets you give this world-famous building and its contents the attention they deserve, with a guided exterior and interior tour. Admire the curved-steel facade, tour the outdoor artworks and interior art highlights, and take advantage of the included day-long admission to explore the permanent and rotating exhibitions independently.

Get acquainted with Bilbao old and new in one trip with this small-group walking tour, ideal for first-time visitors. Stroll around the landmarks of the cobbled Old Town (Casco Viejo) and cross the River Nervion to view the turn-of-the-century buildings and avenues of the New Town, learning how it developed during the 1800s. On route, enjoy a ‘txikiteo’ or ‘poteo’ bar crawl, tasting 'pintxos' (skewered tapas) at various drinking spots.

When your plane touches down at Bilbao International Airport, enjoy a stress-free start to your Spanish sojourn with a private arrival transfer. Travel directly to your hotel in Bilbao or nearby San Sebastian, Vitoria, Rioja, or Pamplona without the hassle of finding a taxi or using complicated public transportation. This private transfer can accommodate up to seven passengers in a car or minivan.

Enjoy a flexible itinerary and personalized attention on this private tour of San Sebastian and the Basque coast. Departing from Bilbao with a guide, you and your private party will explore San Sebastian’s historic center and stroll on the beach. Along the Basque coast, make stops in Zumaia to see the extraordinary flysch rock formations, as well as in Getaria, for a delicious seafood lunch (own expense).

Experience Bilbao like a local on a walking tour tailor-made for you. At your own pace alongside a private guide, explore Bilbao’s atmospheric Old Town and Ensanche neighborhood, browse the stalls at the La Ribera market, and marvel at architectural wonders such as the Guggenheim Museum, San Mames Stadium, and Bilbao Cathedral.

If you only have a day to spend in the Bilbao area, this small-group tour to Gaztelugatxe, Gernika, and Bermeo fits a lot into a day. Fans of “A Game of Thrones” won’t want to miss the hermitage of Gaztelugatxe. Witness the old fishing traditions at Bermeo, and learn about Basque history at Gernika. Admire Picasso’s painting of the same name. Hotel pickup adds convenience to your scenic day.

Discover many of Bilbao’s top landmarks, all in a single excursion—and learn about the different eras of the city’s development—on this small-group walking tour. Pick between morning or afternoon start times, and meet your guide in its scenic Old Town. You’ll see highlights like the Ribera Market, Plaza Nueva, Santiago Cathedral, and more, before discovering modern-day favorites like the Guggenheim and Zubizuri Bridge.

Spend a great half day cycling around Bilbao, learning all about the city’s highlights from your guide. Either join a small group,or take this tour privately. You’ll stop at several places today, including architectural sites, the Guggenheim, parks, government buildings, the Maritime Museum, City Hall, La Ribera Market, and then finish up where you started.

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is one of Spain’s crown jewels of art and architecture. Zip past the line and see the highlights of this iconic building and its collection of modern and contemporary art in just hours with this guided tour. Learn about why Bilbao was chosen as the location for this important museum and interesting facts about its construction, plus admire works by some of the world’s top artists.