How Much Does Bilbao Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Bilbao offers a moderately priced alternative to Spain’s largest metropolitan hubs, with costs typically sitting below those found in San Sebastian or Madrid. A solo traveler can navigate the city on a budget of approximately $101 / €86 per day, while those seeking a high-end experience including stays at luxury icons like The Artist Grand Hotel of Art may spend up to $483 / €410 daily. The city’s financial landscape is defined by its famous pintxos culture and world-class museums, where entrance fees are balanced by efficient, affordable public infrastructure. While the cost of living has risen alongside its reputation as a global art destination, it remains accessible through strategic dining and transport choices. Visitors should anticipate higher rates during the Aste Nagusia festival in August, though the shoulder seasons of May and September offer pleasant weather of 18–22°C (64–72°F) at more competitive price points.
Is Bilbao expensive to visit?
Bilbao is moderately priced—expect to spend between $101 / €86 and $483 / €410 per day depending on whether you choose hostel dorms or luxury art hotels.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Bilbao
$101
per person /day
$235
per person /day
$483
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $304 | $706 | $1,448 |
| 5-Day Trip | $506 | $1,177 | $2,413 |
| 7-Day Trip | $709 | $1,648 | $3,378 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% budget buffer to account for the $3.53 / €3 Barik card fee and the 10–15% terrace surcharges common in popular plazas. This also covers the potential $2.35 / €2 supplement for special temporary exhibitions at the Guggenheim Museum.
How Does It Compare?
See how Bilbao stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Bilbao
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive Restaurant Meal Look for a 'Menú del Día' at lunch for a 3-course meal including wine for ~$18–$24 / €15–€20. | $20 €17 |
| Selection of 3 Pintxos and a Small Beer A 'zurito' (small beer) is typically ~$1.77–$2.35 / €1.5–€2. | $15 €13 |
| Cappuccino Asking for a 'café con leche' is often slightly cheaper than a 'cappuccino'. | $2.44 €2.07 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Metro Bilbao Single Ticket (3 Zones) Occasional ticket: Zone 1 $2.24 / €1.9, Zone 2 $2.47 / €2.1, Zone 3 $2.53 / €2.15. Using a Barik card (rechargeable) drops fares to ~$1.17–$1.48 / €0.99–€1.26 depending on zones. | $2.53 €2.15 |
| Airport Bus (A3247) to City Center Single ticket (paid onboard) is $5.3 / €4.5. With Barik you pay the zone fare instead (typically zone 2). Runs every 15–20 minutes. Stops at Gran Vía, Plaza Moyúa, and Alameda Recalde. | $5.3 €4.5 |
| Funicular de Artxanda (Return Ticket) Cash tickets: $4.12 / €3.5 one-way / $7.06 / €6 return. Barik validation is currently $0.49 / €0.42. Offers the best panoramic view of the city. | $7.06 €6 |
| Taxi Minimum Fare (Night/Holiday) Daytime minimum (Rate 1) is ~$4.88 / €4.15. Expect ~$29–$35 / €25–€30 for an airport run. | $6.38 €5.42 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed in a central hostel Prices for a bed in a 6–8 person dorm. Central hostels like Ganbara or All Iron are popular. | $33 €28 |
| Average 3-star Hotel (Standard Room) Rates are significantly higher during the Aste Nagusia festival in August. | $135 €115 |
| The Artist Grand Hotel of Art (Luxury) This 5-star hotel is directly opposite the Guggenheim. | $193 €164 |
Activities (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (Adult) Price includes an audio guide. Under 18s enter for free. | $18 €15 |
| Athletic Club Match Ticket (Starting) Prices vary by match; top-tier games (vs. Real Madrid/Barca) can start at ~$71 / €60. | $35 €30 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Holafly Spain eSIM (7 Days) Offers unlimited data on the Movistar or Orange networks. | $30 €25 |
Other (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Cinema Ticket Look for 'Día del Espectador' (Spectator's Day, usually Monday or Wednesday) for ~$7.65 / €6.5 tickets. | $11 €9.5 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is dominated by pintxos, where a selection of three bites with a small beer costs around $15 / €13. Value is best found during lunch via the 'Menú del Día,' providing a three-course meal with wine for $18–$24 / €15–€20, whereas a standard inexpensive restaurant dinner averages $20 / €17. Coffee is affordable if ordered locally, with a 'café con leche' often costing less than the $2.44 / €2.07 typically charged for a cappuccino.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Gure Toki
$3.53–$18 / €3–€15Plaza Nueva (Casco Viejo) · Pintxos bar
Try the 'bacalao' (cod) or the mini beef burgers for ~$5.3 / €4.5.
Café Iruña
$3.3–$14 / €2.8–€12Abando · Historic café / brasserie
The lamb skewers (pintxos morunos) cooked on a coal grill are a steal at ~$3.53 / €3.
El Globo
$3.53–$24 / €3–€20Abando / Ensanche (Calle Diputación / Plaza Nueva) · Pintxos bar
Order the classic txangurro (spider crab) gratin pintxo, plus a zurito (small beer) for a budget-friendly stop.
Baster
$4.71–$24 / €4–€20Casco Viejo · Pintxos bar
Excellent spot for 'Vermut' hour on Sundays.
Santa Maria
$3.53–$14 / €3–€12Casco Viejo · Pintxos bar
Try the 'foie' pintxo with apple, it is legendary.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is highly economical, particularly with metro occasional tickets at $2.24–$2.53 / €1.9–€2.15 depending on zones. The most efficient connection from the airport is the A3247 bus, which reaches the city center for $5.3 / €4.5. For the best views, the Funicular de Artxanda offers return trips for $7.06 / €6 ($4.12 / €3.5 one-way), while taxis remain a viable late-night option with a minimum holiday/night fare of $6.38 / €5.42.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging ranges from social hostels like Ganbara or All Iron, where a dorm bed costs roughly $33 / €28, to standard 3-star hotels averaging $135 / €115 per night. For those prioritizing location and luxury, The Artist Grand Hotel of Art near the Guggenheim charges approximately $193 / €164, representing the city's premium tier.
Accommodation Budget in Bilbao
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase a Barik card for $3.53 / €3 at metro stations to reduce individual journey costs by nearly 50% across the metro, tram, and Bilbobus networks.
- 2 Eat the heavy meal of the day at lunch by requesting a 'Menú del Día' at spots like Baster or Santa Maria to get three courses for $18–$24 / €15–€20.
- 3 Avoid the 10–15% terrace surcharge in Plaza Nueva by standing at the bar to eat your pintxos like a local.
- 4 Visit the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao for $18 / €15 but save on the audio guide as it is already included in the ticket price.
- 5 Walk the 3km riverside path from the Casco Viejo to the Palacio Euskalduna instead of taking the tram to see major landmarks for free.
- 6 Go to the cinema on 'Día del Espectador' (usually Monday or Wednesday) to pay $7.65 / €6.5 instead of the standard $11 / €9.5.
- 7 Order a 'zurito' (small beer) for roughly $1.77–$2.35 / €1.5–€2 to keep drink costs down while hopping between pintxo bars.
- 8 Fill water bottles at the various public 'iturri' (fountains) found throughout the Casco Viejo and Doña Casilda Park.
- 9 Look for Athletic Club match tickets starting at $35 / €30 for non-premium games to experience the local football culture without the $71+ / €60+ price tag of major rivalry matches.
- 10 Use the free public elevators, such as the Ascensor de Iturribide, to navigate the city's steep hills without paying for extra transport.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jul, Aug
+30-50%
Nov, Jan, Feb
-20-40%
May, Jun, Sep
Late August is the most expensive time due to the city's main festival. May and September offer 18–22°C (64–72°F) weather with much lower hotel rates than mid-summer.
Events to Watch
- ● Aste Nagusia (late August): +100% hotel prices
- ● BBK Live Music Festival (July): High hostel demand
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Marvel at 'Puppy,' the massive flower-covered West Highland Terrier sculpture by Jeff Koons outside the Guggenheim.
- 2 Cross the Zubizuri, the iconic white pedestrian bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava.
- 3 Explore the Casco Viejo (Old Town) and its 'Siete Calles' to admire medieval architecture and the Plaza Nueva.
- 4 Visit the Azkuna Zentroa, a former wine warehouse redesigned by Philippe Starck, and look up to see the transparent bottom of the rooftop swimming pool.
- 5 Walk across the La Salve Bridge for the most famous elevated photography angle of the Guggenheim Museum.
- 6 Stroll through Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park, the city's largest green space featuring a duck pond and neoclassical fountains.
- 7 Window shop and admire the stained glass at the Mercado de la Ribera, one of Europe's largest covered markets.
- 8 View 'Maman,' the 9-meter bronze spider sculpture by Louise Bourgeois located on the riverfront.
- 9 Wander the Abandoibarra promenade to see outdoor sculptures by artists like Salvador Dalí and Francisco Leiro.
- 10 Visit the Basilica of Begoña, a significant pilgrimage site that is generally free for respectful visitors outside of mass times.
- 11 Hike up to the summit of Mount Artxanda via the walking paths to enjoy panoramic views of the valley without paying for the funicular.
- 12 Watch the sunset from the steps of the San Mamés stadium exterior, an architectural marvel in the Deusto district.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Nerua Guggenheim Tasting Menu
Michelin-starred dining inside the Guggenheim museum building. An architectural and culinary peak.
Private Rioja Wine Tour
The region's best vineyards are ~1.5 hours away; a private driver allows you to taste without worry.
Azurmendi (3 Michelin Stars)
Consistently ranked among the world's best; the experience includes a tour of the greenhouse and kitchen.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Bilbao
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Bilbao and what they cost
San Sebastián (Donostia)
$18 / €15 by bus
Free
$77 / €65
Getxo & Vizcaya Bridge
$4.24 / €3.6 by metro
$12 / €10
$41 / €35
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
$7.89 / €6.7 by bus
Free
$47 / €40
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
Excellent in shops and hotels; pintxos bars prefer cash for small rounds.
Not mandatory. Rounding up to the nearest Euro is common for coffee/pintxos. In restaurants, ~5% is appreciated for good service.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (BBVA, Santander, Kutxabank) to avoid fees. Avoid 'Euronet' machines which can charge ~$5.89 / €5 per withdrawal.
Connectivity
eSIM: $29–$35 for 1 week (unlimited data) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18–$24 / €15–€20 for 50GB-100GB data
WiFi: Excellent in hotels, libraries, and major plazas (Bilbao WiFi).
Buy a local Orange or Vodafone SIM card at the 'El Corte Inglés' department store for better value (~$18 / €15 for 50GB).
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Bilbao.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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