12 Best Things to Do in Bilbao Besides Guggenheim (2026)

There is a running joke among my friends whenever I talk about my trips to the Basque Country. They ask, "How was the museum?" and I inevitably reply, "I barely saw the inside." Don't get me wrong—I love Frank Gehry’s Titanium curves as much as the next architecture nerd. But if you let the Guggenheim become the sole gravitational center of your Bilbao itinerary, you miss the beating heart of this city. You miss the grit, the gristle, and the glorious soul of a port town that reinvented itself without forgetting who it was.

I’ve been coming to Bilbao for over a decade, watching it shed its industrial skin to reveal the vibrant, gastronomic powerhouse beneath. In 2026, the city feels more confident than ever. The air smells of sea salt and frying batter; the streets echo with the sharp clatter of Txikiteo (bar hopping). This guide isn't about the obvious postcard shots. It’s about the long lunches that turn into dinners, the hidden hiking trails that overlook the estuary, and the specific pintxos that locals fight over.

Here are the 12 best things to do in Bilbao besides Guggenheim, written for the traveler who wants to eat, walk, and live like a Basque.

1. The Seven Streets: A迷宫 of History (Casco Viejo)

If the Guggenheim is the city’s head, the Casco Viejo is its stomach and soul. This is the "Parte Vieja," the famous old quarter laid out in the shape of a ship. It is comprised of the legendary Siete Calles (Seven Streets). Walking here isn't just sightseeing; it’s a time capsule. I remember my first visit, trying to navigate from the Plaza Nueva. I got hopelessly lost, but that was the point.

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2. The Ultimate Pintxos Crawl: The "Gilda" Pilgrimage

You cannot say you’ve been to Bilbao without participating in a txikiteo. This is the ritual of standing at a bar, drinking a small glass of wine (txikito), eating one or two authentic pintxos bars Bilbao old town style, and moving on. My absolute non-negotiable stop is Casa Rufo. The "Rufo"—a slice of grilled bread topped with seared baby eel—is the taste of the Basque coast on a piece of toast.

3. Mercado de la Ribera: The Belly of the City

Located right on the edge of the Casco Viejo, hugging the Nervión River, is the Mercado de la Ribera. This is the largest covered market in Europe by square footage. I love coming here on a Tuesday morning. You will see things here you won't find in a standard supermarket: percebes (goose barnacles) and kokotxas (hake throats).

4. Hiking Artxanda: The "Bilbao Balcony"

Bilbao is surrounded by seven mountains, and you don't have to go far to get a panoramic view. While many take the funicular, I highly recommend hiking the trails that wind up the side. It takes about 45 minutes of steep walking from the city center. This is the best way to tackle bilbao seven mountains hiking trails near city. At the top, you get the "Bilbao Balcony."

5. Azkuna Zentroa: The Wine Cathedral

Before the Guggenheim, there was Azkuna Zentroa. This building is a masterpiece of adaptive reuse. French designer Philippe Starck transformed a massive wine warehouse into a cultural center. The interior is mind-bending, featuring 43 massive columns, each designed differently. The centerpiece is the pool on the roof with a glass bottom that you can see from the atrium below.

6. San Mamés Stadium & The Athletic Museum

Even if you aren't a football fan, the San Mamés stadium is an architectural marvel nicknamed "The Cathedral." Athletic Club Bilbao has a unique policy: they only sign players born in or trained in the Basque Country. The museum details the history of the club and the city. You can sit in the dugout and look out at the pitch.

7. The Maritime Museum & Getxo Port Day Trip

Bilbao is a port city, and the river is its lifeline. The Museo Marítimo Ría de Bilbao tells the story of the river and the fishing industry. Afterward, take the metro to Getxo. This is the wealthy port district, famous for its "Puerto Viejo" and the massive suspension bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel. This is a perfect getxo port maritime museum bilbao day trip.

8. Azkorri Beach & The Giants of Punta Galea

If you hike the mountains, you must visit the coast. Azkorri Beach is a pristine, golden sand beach flanked by high green cliffs. For the adventurous, hike the cliffs toward Punta Galea to find "The Giants"—massive sculptures carved into the rock face by Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola. They blend into the stone, looking like ancient petroglyphs come to life.

9. The "Sagarrak" Cider House Experience

You haven't done Bilbao until you've done a Sagarrak (Cider House). There are several in the hills surrounding Bilbao, specifically in the town of Forua. The most famous is Etxeberria. The experience is a set menu ritual. When the waiters shout "Txotx!", you run to the barrel with your glass to catch the raw, dry, sparkling cider. It’s loud, messy, and joyful.

10. Alternative Architecture: The Ensanche

We touched on Azkuna, but the Ensanche (the "widening") district deserves a specific architectural walk. This is the 19th-century expansion of the city, built with the iron money from the industrial revolution. This bilbao alternative architecture tour besides guggenheim focuses on the "Bilbao School" of architecture. Walking through the Gran Vía and the Plaza Moyúa, you see the sturdy, industrial backbone of the city.

11. The San Sebastian Day Celebration (January 20th)

If you are planning a trip for 2026, mark January 20th on your calendar. San Sebastian Eguna is the city's patron saint day. At midnight on January 19th, the "Artillero" cannon fires from the Artxanda mountain. The highlight is the "Aurresku" dance performed in the Plaza Nueva at midnight. This is the best San Sebastian day bilbao 2026 events guide tip I can give.

12. The Arriaga Theater & Arenal Park

To end your journey, slow down. Sit in the Arenal Park and look at the Teatro Arriaga. Inspired by the Paris Opera, this neo-baroque building was built in 1890 and rebuilt after a fire. It is the cultural jewel of the city. I love sitting on the benches in the park at dusk. The lights turn on, reflecting off the river.

Final Thoughts on Bilbao in 2026

Bilbao is a city that rewards curiosity. It doesn't give up its secrets easily; you have to walk the streets, stain your shirt with sauce, and sweat on a mountainside to truly understand it. The Guggenheim is the invitation, but the Casco Viejo, the cider houses, and the rugged coast are the conversation. So, in 2026, when you come, book your museum ticket, yes. But then, put the map in your pocket, follow the smell of frying garlic, and let the city carry you away.