Bilbao Old Town

Bilbao
Ribera Market featuring a bar, interior views and food
Ribera Market showing heritage architecture, a city and a river or creek
Plaza Miguel de Unamuno which includes a city and street scenes as well as a small group of people
Ribera Market showing a city, a bridge and a river or creek
Santiago Cathedral which includes heritage architecture and a church or cathedral
Discover characterful bars, historic architecture, colorful independent stores and much more amid the largely pedestrianized streets of Bilbao’s atmospheric heart.

During your time in Bilbao, you may hear the city’s Old Town referred to by a range of different names. It’s often known as the Casco Viejo, but sometimes also called Las Siete Calles (in Spanish) or Zazpikaleak (Basque). These latter two nicknames, meaning “Seven Streets,” refer to the medieval streets that make up the core of the neighborhood.

Whatever you decide to call it, Bilbao Old Town is a wonderful place to spend time. Lose your way amid its maze of pretty, mostly pedestrianized streets, and you are sure to stumble across many interesting sights.

Head to Plaza Nueva on a Sunday morning to browse for one-off souvenirs at the flea market. This public square is one of the most popular spots in the Old Town, on any day of the week. It is a beautiful example of Neoclassical design, and is also known for its cafés, bars and restaurants. Sit outside and sample some pintxos, the northern Spanish take on tapas.

Walk south from the square for less than 5 minutes to reach the magnificent Catedral de Santiago, aka St. James’ Cathedral. Admire its beautiful exterior, a prime example of 14th-century Gothic architecture. Step inside for a moment of peace in its tranquil interior.

Within just a few minutes’ walk are several museums worth visiting. Learn about local history in the Bilboko Euskal Museoa and see the area’s past brought to life through archaeological artifacts in the Arkeologi Museoa. A little further to the east is the quirky Museo Pasos de Semana Santa, dedicated to religious art and Easter.

The Bidebarrieta Liburutegia Zentrale (Bidebarrieta Library) is one of the area’s most exceptional buildings. This grand 19th-century building is beautiful enough from the outside. Head inside, however, to truly appreciate its opulence.

The highlights of Bilbao Old Town sit on the eastern bank of the Nervión river. Make your way east from the main train station on foot for just under 10 minutes to reach Plaza Nueva, which is usually considered the hub of the neighborhood.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Bilbao Old Town

NYX Hotel Bilbao by Leonardo Hotels
NYX Hotel Bilbao by Leonardo Hotels
3.5 out of 5
Areatza Kalea 4, Bilbao
The price is P3,864 per night from 3 Dec to 4 Dec
P3,864
P4,251 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 3 - Dec 4
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (766 reviews)
"This is an excellent hotel for so many things. It is in the old part of the city which is lovely and you can drive to it and park nearby without having to enter the Low Emission Zone of Bilbao. But at the same time it's right across the bridge from the "new" city, and a 20 minute walk to the Guggenheim ..."

Reviewed on Nov 15, 2024

NYX Hotel Bilbao by Leonardo Hotels
Hotel Tayko Bilbao
Hotel Tayko Bilbao
4 out of 5
Erribera Kalea 13, Bilbao
The price is P8,135 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
P8,135
P8,949 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 1 - Dec 2
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (647 reviews)
"The staff were very professional and friendly. The room was modern and nice."

Reviewed on Nov 5, 2024

Hotel Tayko Bilbao
Petit Palace Arana
Petit Palace Arana
3 out of 5
C/ Bidebarrieta, 2, (en frente del teatro Arriaga), Bilbao, Vizcaya
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P4,034 per night from 15 Dec to 16 Dec
P4,034
P4,437 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 15 - Dec 16
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (973 reviews)
Best place/palace in Bilbao
"Fabulous hotel- location, service, amenities, cleanliness all top notch!"

Reviewed on Nov 7, 2024

Petit Palace Arana
Sercotel Arenal Bilbao
Sercotel Arenal Bilbao
3 out of 5
Calle Fueros, 2, Bilbao, Vizcaya
The price is P3,322 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
P3,322
P3,655 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 24 - Nov 25
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Bilbao. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and an area shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (375 reviews)
"Great location, friendly staff, nice rooms (could use an update) a/c didn't work as expected. But other than that, everything else was great."

Reviewed on Nov 6, 2024

Sercotel Arenal Bilbao
Casual Bilbao Gurea
Casual Bilbao Gurea
2 out of 5
C/ Bidebarrieta 14 3º, Bilbao, Vizcaya
The price is P3,107 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
P3,107
P3,418 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 24 - Nov 25
Stay at this pension in Bilbao. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (446 reviews)
Great location! Great service!
"Location location location! Can’t beat the area. Around a ton of restaurants, bars, shopping. Basic room, but it was big. Would definitely stay there again! Staff was friendly and helpful!"

Reviewed on Nov 10, 2024

Casual Bilbao Gurea
Quartier Bilbao Hostel
Quartier Bilbao Hostel
2 out of 5
Artekale Kalea 15, Bilbao
The price is P3,107 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
P3,107
P3,418 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 24 - Nov 25
Stay at this hostel in Bilbao. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and San Mames Stadium ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (78 reviews)
Great location, small rooms
"Very well-located and well-priced. However, rooms cramped and facilities basic. Good Wi-Fi."

Reviewed on Oct 3, 2024

Quartier Bilbao Hostel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Bilbao Old Town

Lovely small chilled out bar for  a decent beer.

San Francisco

You'll enjoy the bars and theaters in San Francisco. You might want to make time for a stop at Ensanche or Bay of Biscay.

San Francisco
Bilbao la Vieja lies just across the river from the Old Town. The streets in this space, which takes in the Bilbao la Vieja, San Francisco and Zabala districts, are covered with urban wall art and a very interesting collection of architecture. The barrio of San Francisco lies just south of Abando and is an immigrant area, a very lively neighborhood.
#Architecture
#Bilbao
#Spain

Bilbao la Vieja

While visiting Bilbao la Vieja, you might make a stop by sights like Bay of Biscay and San Anton Bridge.

Bilbao la Vieja
Plaza Nueva which includes outdoor eating as well as a small group of people

Casco Viejo

Museums, theaters, and historic sites highlight some notable features of Casco Viejo. Make a stop by Plaza Nueva or Museum of Archaeology Bizkaya while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Casco Viejo Station or Arriga Tram Stop to get around town.

Casco Viejo
Nave central de la basílica

Begoña

You'll enjoy the restaurants and museums in Begoña. You might want to make time for a stop at Basilica of Begona or Begoña BasIlica.

Begoña
San Mames Stadium which includes a river or creek and modern architecture

Bilbao City Centre

Palacio de la Diputación Foral de Vizcaya and Plaza Moyua are top sights in Bilbao City Centre, and you should be sure to explore the fascinating museums. Hop aboard the metro at Moyua Station or Abando Station to see more sights in the area.

Bilbao City Centre
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao which includes modern architecture, outdoor art and a sunset

Abando

Abundant dining options, interesting museums and stunning river views are just a few top things to explore in Abando. A visit to Plaza Moyua or Ensanche might round out your trip, and you can jump aboard the metro at Moyua Station or Indautxu Station to get around town.

Abando

Bilbao Old Town