Bilbao

Where to stay in Bilbao

Bilbao is a compact city split by the estuary, and that geography decides almost all of the lodging math. The core trade-off is simple: the closer you sleep to the Guggenheim, the more you pay; the closer to the Casco Viejo, the more nighttime noise you put up with. We've compared prices and locations and the conclusion isn't glamorous: a well-rated 3-star hotel costs 85-140 €/night in almost any central area, so the 40-60 € premium for being "across from the museum" buys you about ten minutes of walking. The classic tourist axis (Casco Viejo, Guggenheim, Deusto) spans roughly 2 km and is entirely walkable. If you're on a budget, crossing the estuary to Deusto or heading up to Begoña saves real money without losing the center. If you're traveling in August or during Aste Nagusia, book months ahead: prices rise 20-30% above the yearly average.

Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you book through them, Andelaria may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Transparency & affiliate policy

Best areas to sleep

El Ensanche (Abando-Indautxu)

Best for: first-time visitors and anyone who wants everything within walking distance

Sleeping here means stepping out of your hotel with the Guggenheim, the Fine Arts Museum and the Gran Vía within walking distance. It's Bilbao's modern, commercial district: wide sidewalks, upscale restaurants, shops and city life rather than postcard charm. The catch is the price: it's the most expensive area thanks to the concentration of premium supply near the museum. Don't expect charming alleyways either — this is late-19th-century urban planning, orderly and somewhat impersonal.

Indicative price: 90-130 €/noche (2-3★); 140-200 € (4★)

See hotels in El Ensanche (Abando-Indautxu)

Casco Viejo (Zazpikaleak)

Best for: pintxos, atmosphere and a tight budget

The Siete Calles is medieval Bilbao: Plaza Nueva, the Ribera Market and pintxo bars every twenty meters. By day it's touristy and lively; by night it's a drinking district, with everything that implies. Nighttime noise is guaranteed, not a theoretical risk: if you book here, ask for an interior room. In exchange, prices are lower than in the Ensanche and you step out of your door straight into dinner. A poor choice with small children or if you turn in early.

Indicative price: 70-90 €/noche (2★); 40-60 € hostal

See hotels in Casco Viejo (Zazpikaleak)

Deusto

Best for: mid-to-low budgets and repeat visitors

On the other side of the estuary, facing the Guggenheim: cross the Zubizuri and you're at the museum in 10-15 minutes on foot. A university neighborhood with neighborhood bars, neighborhood prices and zero tourist saturation. There are no landmarks to see here, and at night it winds down earlier than the Casco Viejo, so if you're after nightlife you'll have to cross the bridge back. For us, it's the best price-to-location ratio in Bilbao.

Indicative price: 65-85 €/noche

See hotels in Deusto

Begoña

Best for: resting well and paying less

A north-facing hillside, somewhat elevated above the Casco Viejo, with the Begoña Basilica and good views from its staircases. This is genuinely residential: you'll sleep well, see neighbors and no queues. Supply is limited (mostly guesthouses and apartments) and the slope shows when you're walking back with bags; the Begoña funicular and the metro help make up for it. Choose it if resting well and paying less matters more than having twenty bars at your door.

Indicative price: desde 70 €/noche

See hotels in Begoña

Average hotel price

Reference price for one night in Bilbao (mid-range double room). Prices rise in high season and during the big festivals.

Hotel night (mid-range double)

90–140 € (gama media); desde 36 € (hostal)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Bilbao if it's your first time?

Ensanche (Abando-Indautxu), because the Guggenheim, Fine Arts Museum and Gran Vía are all walkable, plus good metro connections. Expect 90-130 €/night for a 2-3 star, and keep in mind it's the most expensive area of the city.

Is it expensive to stay in Bilbao?

It's a mid-priced city: a 3★ rated above 8 runs 85-140 €/night, and a hostel or guesthouse starts at 40-65 €. In July-August and during Aste Nagusia prices rise 20-30%; May-June and September-October offer the best value.

Where should you NOT stay in Bilbao?

Avoid the heart of the Siete Calles if you need quiet: it's bar territory and the nighttime noise is real. And skip peripheral neighborhoods like Uribarri unless price is your only criterion: they're well connected by metro (ticket 1.45 €) but have no atmosphere of their own for a traveler.

Keep planning

Verified: 28 de julio de 2026