Bilbao holidays
Though most people go to Bilbao for the Guggenheim Museum – complete with 40ft West Highland terrier made of flowers – there’s much more to discover. Take in its colourful Old Town where busy bars sit alongside ancient arches and cobbles and serve up original takes on authentic pintxos (tapas). Explore one of the world’s biggest covered markets for riverside bites and cool jazz and walk an urban art trail. Save enough energy for the city’s flower and flea markets.
Our cheapest holidays to Bilbao
Basque Country’s cultural treasure trove
Bilbao is a Cinderella city. Transformed from the decaying jaws of its ship building past, it’s now a thriving hub of art, food and culture that makes for a perfect weekend getaway or a base for exploring further afield.
Start at in the historic Siete Calles (seven streets) of the Old Town (Casco Viejo) to imbibe the colourful, cobbled streets before heading centrally to the futuristic looking Guggenheim – its architecture inspired by Bilbao’s industrial ship-building past. Take in the Basque Health Department’s amazing origami-style building before heading to any one of the city’s museums on art or maritime history. For the ultimate in living the high life, take the funicular up Mount Artxanda and dine while overlooking the city in its valley and the wild Basque mountains beyond. Book flights to Bilbao and start exploring today.
Carefully selected Bilbao hotels
Best hotels in Bilbao for all types of traveller
We have a great selection of quality hotels in and around Bilbao to recommend.
For something luxurious, try the award-winning five-star Melia Bilbao. Situated opposite the Euskalduna Palace concert venue, it’s been designed by architect Ricardo Legorreta and features a lavish wellness centre. The Grand Hotel Domine is the only five-star based hotel to be situated directly in front of the Guggenheim Museum.
For a more affordable option, the Catalonia Gran Via Bilbao is less than a mile from the Guggenheim Museum and sits in the Old Town – perfect for bars and pintxos. Another option is the four-star Sercotel Coliseo. Just a short stroll from the Old Town and 15 minutes’ walk to the Guggenheim, Sercotel emits elegance thanks to once having housed the Bilbao Opera House. You can stay within easy reach of much of what Bilbao offers at the four-star NH Collection Villa de Bilbao – it’s perfect for its arts museums, the San Mames stadium and some fabulous restaurants.
Bilbao holiday FAQs
1. The Guggenheim is a masterpiece in architecture – its shining glass and titanium lines are often compared to the curves of a ship. It’s a lure for modern art with works including Jeff Koons (giant puppy), Louise Bourgeois’ Maman (giant spider) and Anish Kapoor’s shiny Tall Tree & The Eye.
2. For galleries aside from the Guggenheim, try the Fine Arts Museum with anything from Goya to El Greco. Explore the Philippe Starck-designed cultural arts space, Azkuna Zentroa. While you’re out, it's worth understanding the fascinating history of the city’s marine heritage at the Itsasmuseum.
3. Take Funicular de Artxanda for a five-minute trip to the top of the city where, on Saturday mornings, you can take a free tour which takes you behind the scenes of the mechanical room of this 100-year-old railway.
4. Head to the monthly Art after Dark event at the Guggenheim and bop among the masters (ticketed event). Seek out Bilbao’s urban art (don’t miss Giltza Bat near Puente de La Salve) and if you want to see a mass of street art in one go, head for Plaza Kirikino – it’s been likened to a ‘painted city’.
5. As evening draws, head to the art deco Mercado de la Ribera for some recipe ingredients then some late-night jazz. You can find authentic food, gifts and restaurants here.
6. Explore Bilbao by kayak or paddleboard. Don’t expect Venice but do expect to trace paths of the city’s naval history and check off landmarks. Take in one of the group canoe tours on offer for a new way to see the city.
- When the Guggenheim, Frank Gehry's architectural masterpiece rose from Bilbao's tired valleys, it transformed this once gritty, industrial port into a mesmerising Iberian playground.
- The picturesque Old Town is where you may hear Europe’s oldest language, Basque, spoken. It’s also at the historical heart of the city known as Siete Calle where you’ll find boutiques, churches and buzzing bars serving the best pintxo (a firm favourite is Baster).
- If you like the idea of waking up to see the titanium curves of the Guggenheim, a stay at the central Vincci Consulado de Bilbao could be for you. Architecture lovers will enjoy Bilbao – make sure you take in the quirks of the glass origami-like structure which is the Basque Health Department building. While you’re at it, why not head to the red and white 53,000-seater San Mames stadium, home to football team Athletic Bilbao? You can tour the club’s onsite museum.
- Finally, take the city’s funicular uphill to feast on some of the best restaurants with views of the sparkling city lights beneath. Look out for Txakoli Simon steakhouse – a real favourite for authentic Basque dishes.
- Of course, Bilbao is the perfect base for exploring the nearby beaches and architecture of San Sebastian and the vineyards of the legendary winemaking region of Rioja.
Why choose British Airways Vacations?
The British Airways experience is more than a flight.
We offer carefully chosen hotels, resorts and villas in the most amazing places, and car rental with no hidden extras. Our access to the extensive British Airways global network and oneworld® alliance puts us in a unique position to create packages with convenient flights across the globe. From start to finish consider your vacation taken care of.
Small deposits
Secure your vacation with a small deposit and spread the cost with flexible installments.
Baggage allowance
All of our vacation packages include a generous checked baggage allowance.
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Terms and conditions
- Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
- Package vacation prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
- Return fares displayed are the lowest adult return prices in the cabin specified including taxes, fees and carrier charges, based on a 7-day return journey.
- Package vacation prices (flight + hotel and flight + car) shown are in USD per person based on 2 adults sharing one room or one car and prices include taxes, fees and carrier charges unless otherwise specified. Flight + car prices based on drivers aged 30-70 years.
- Additional charges will be applied for payments made using a corporate credit card.
- Advertised fares are available on ba.com. Additional charges may apply if purchased through British Airways outlets or travel agents.
- Combine and save on Vacations: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ vacation including more than one hotel and / or car.
- Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply.
1. Vacation Sale offers can be booked online at ba.com or through the British Airways call centre from January 6, 2026 and January 22, 2026 at 23:59 EST.
2. Vacation sale offers are valid on travel between January 6, 2026 and September 30, 2026. All travel must be completed by September 30, 2026. For travel from all British Airways operating airports in the US.
3. To qualify for the up to $400 discount per booking offer certain booking requirements must be met.
4. The savings are $50, $100, $200 or $400 and apply to new Vacation Package bookings only where a minimum spend is met:
a. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $8,000 per booking can save $400 per booking.
b. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $5,000 per booking can save $200 per booking.
c. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $3,000 per booking can save $100 per booking.
d. Vacation Package bookings with a total cost of $1,500 per booking can save $50 per booking.
5. The savings are per booking.
6. A Vacation Package booking means any booking including round trip flights and either a hotel, car or combination of both for the duration of the travel period. Hotels/cars added to flights only after a flight has been selected or booked will not be eligible. To be eligible for savings, we invite you to choose ‘Flight + hotel’ or ‘Flight + car’ when commencing a search. Quotes in our ‘Create your trip’ booking tool will not include this offer and are discounted in a different way.
7. Flight + car Vacation Package savings are applied before any Extras (insurance waiver, car seats etc.) are added to the booking.
8. Prices advertised on ba.com include the additional discount where applicable.
9. Vacation sale lead-in prices include all airline-related taxes, fees, and carrier charges.
10. Economy flight and hotel package lead-in prices are based on 2 adults traveling on the same itinerary, round trip in Economy Class, pricing per adult person, based on 5 nights for double occupancy accommodation.
11. Economy flight and car rental package lead-in prices are based on 2 adults traveling on the same itinerary, round trip in Economy Class, pricing per adult person, based on 7 days Avis or Budget car rental in a ‘Group A Economy Manual’ car. Prices are based on drivers aged 30-70 years. (Automatic car rental available at higher prices).
12. Car rental prices do not include fees charged locally such as airport charges, additional driver, insurance, navigation aids and similar options.
13. All prices are liable to change at any time and are subject to flight, hotel and car rental availability. Availability is strictly limited.
14. Offers are valid for new bookings only, made during the promotional period. Valid only when combined with British operated flights or BA code share flights departing from a US gateway.
15. Prices are based on travel during dates and board basis stated.
16. Limited availability of flights at these prices. Individual travel dates are subject to availability. Promotional travel is subject to availability and capacity control, and availability may be limited over holidays and peak periods. The number of seats available on each flight at a particular fare may be restricted and it is possible that seats allocated to a particular fare on a particular flight may be fully booked even though seats are still available for sale at a different fare or booking class in the same cabin.
17. Deposits can only be paid for bookings created as flight + hotel or flight + car packages. All flight only, hotel, car and experience only bookings, and any hotel, car or experiences added to a flight only booking are excluded from this offer. The following deposit levels apply based on the total spend per booking:
I. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $1000-$1999 - pay from $198 deposit per booking
II. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $2000-$2499 - pay from $250 deposit per booking
III. Flight + hotel and flight + car vacations between $2500-$2999 - pay from $300 deposit per booking
18. The deposit balance will be due 28 days prior to your departure date. The actual payment date will be displayed on the payment details page. You can pay the balance in as many instalments as you want. This allows you to spread the cost of the vacation over a longer period. You will have full flexibility of when you make the payments and how much they are, the only requirement is that you must have paid the full balance by the balance due date.
19. British Airways holidays standard terms and conditions and conditions of carriage apply. For full terms and conditions please refer to https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/legal/package-booking-terms-and-conditions
20. All travel on BA operated flights is subject to BA's General Conditions of Carriage for Passengers and Baggage (see ba.com http://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/legal/british-airways/general-conditions-of-carriage) and the notice and conditions of contract contained on each ticket and itinerary. Passengers carried by code share services are subject to the ticketing carrier's conditions of carriage.
21. British Airways is not liable for the reproduction of this offer or indirect access via third party websites of these terms and where such reproduction misstates or omits any of the information or terms and conditions connected with this promotion.
22. Normal booking conditions, including amendment and cancellation charges, of a hotel purchase apply.
23. Normal booking conditions, including amendment and cancellation charges, of a car purchase apply.
24. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
25. This offer may be withdrawn or limited by British Airways without notice.
26. Other significant restrictions may apply.
We reserve the right to cancel any bookings that violate any of these terms and conditions.