Travel advice for Spain
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Spain
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written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 5.03.2020
Having emerged into the twenty-first century from a period of industrial decline, Bilbao is today a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. It has acquired a new metro system, airport, urban motorways, railway lines and a “super port”. The streets of the city have been refreshed by innovative new structures built by the world’s great architects, making contemporary Bilbao a superb place to live, work and visit. Here’s our guide to where to stay in Bilbao.
Bilbao city centre can be best thought of as separated into two parts by the ria. On the right (north) bank is the older section, Casco Viejo, while the much more expansive Ensanche spreads southeastwards from the left bank. The newest architectural developments of the latter are in the area of Abandoibarra, around the Guggenheim Museum.
Be sure to book ahead for peak periods when Spain is on holiday – especially Easter Week and in August. Watch out too for fiestas and other big events.
9 days / from2468 USD
Andalucía Explored
Discover the best of Andalucía's breathtaking palaces, churches, museums, vineyards, and more, as you travel through spectacular scenery dotted with pueblos blancos and bordered by rugged mountains and coast en route to Granada, Seville, Ronda and Jerez de la Frontera.
view tour ⤍4 days / from643 USD
A culinary experience in Seville
Explore the cuisine and surroundings of Seville in Andalucia. From Iberian ham over sherry wines to the production and secrets of olive oil, this tour is an ideal weekend getaway. Decide yourself if you prefer a rental car or a chauffeur-driven car to explore the beauty of Andalucia.
view tour ⤍10 days / from3791 USD
Spanish Honeymoon
Discover Andalusia, starting with the cultural city of Seville, then on to Córdoba and Granada, home of the stunning Alhambra Palace. Next you'll visit Granada and the Albayzin Arab quarter, then enjoy a stunning hot-air balloon ride, before ending your trip with a luxury boat trip from Marbella!
view tour ⤍5 days / from1480 USD
Made for Madrid
Take to the Spanish capital for art, culture and a taste of life in the city, Madrileño-style. Explore age-old churches and pretty plazas, stroll through the lovely Buen Retiro Park and visit captivating Toledo. Then, come sundown, discover the city's vibrant barrios and lively nightlife.
view tour ⤍4 days / from1399 USD
A Madrid getaway
Spend four days discovering the wonders of Spain's capital Madrid: from fascinating museums like El Prado and Reina Sofia over exploring unknown corners with your private guide to a day trip to the surroundings, this itinerary packs the best of Madrid.
view tour ⤍18 days / from4590 USD
Hidden Spain - From Barcelona to Basque Country
Do you want to explore highlights in Spain while staying in nature at the same time? Look no further. Start your Spanish adventure in Barcelona before heading off to the mountains - drive your rental car to Andorra and further on to Basque Country. Decide between driving yourself or guided tours.
view tour ⤍8 days / from2360 USD
Andalucía by Car
Enjoy this road trip through Spain’s exuberant Andalucía, which will take you through the charming cities of Malaga, Seville, Granada and various 'white villages', including Ronda, with its vertiginous views across the sweeping Andalucían countryside.
view tour ⤍5 days / from1717 USD
The Lands of Wine from Madrid
Spain is well known for its amazing wines and this itinerary allows you to explore two famous regions: Ribera del Duero and La Rioja. Four different wineries, from traditional to modern, and many restaurants on the way await your visit.
view tour ⤍9 days / from1490 USD
The Cities, Mountains and Beaches of Northern Spain
Southern Spain has been a busy tourist destination for many years. This self-drive trip avoids the touristy area along the southern Spanish coast, instead opting to take in the culture of the north and its natural beauty and the rugged beaches and coast.
view tour ⤍4 days / from902 USD
Simply Seville
Make the most of a city break in one of Spain's most atmospheric cities. The home of flamenco, Seville is a veritable feast for all the senses. Come here for the tantalising cuisine and fragrant orange trees, awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral, pretty plazas and many excellent museums and galleries.
view tour ⤍13 days / from6572 USD
Cultural Cities of Spain
From Barcelona down to Granada in the deep South, see the best of Spain on this multi-city tour that takes in Madrid, Córdoba and Seville, too. Get to grips with Gaudí, see historic Toledo, wander through the Prado, see the Alhambra, and more on this cultural extravaganza of Spain's finest cities.
view tour ⤍7 days / from2700 USD
The tale of two cities: Madrid and Barcelona
Explore the capital of Spain Madrid with a unique city tour before heading about an hour outside of the city, to visit Europe's longest zip-line in historic Toledo. Afterwards, board a train to explore the second-largest city of Spain, Barcelona.
view tour ⤍4 days / from1539 USD
A weekend getaway to Malaga
Malaga is a coastal city in Andalusia, right on the famous 'Costa del Sol'. This weekend getaway allows you to explore the city, as well as the well-known surrounding cities of Ronda and Marbella. Yellow sand beaches, fascinating museums and a delicious cuisine await to be discovered.
view tour ⤍4 days / from1582 USD
City break Valencia
Spain's third largest city offers a beautiful old city quarter, plentiful history and a vibrant culture to be discovered. Palaces, museums and a rich cuisine make Valencia an attractive weekend getaway destination, as does the nearby wine region of Requena.
view tour ⤍12 days / from4012 USD
Iconic Cities of Spain: Madrid, Seville, Valencia and Barcelona
Spend a wonderful 12 days exploring the best that Spain has to offer on a trip including city tours of historical Madrid, Granada, Seville, Valencia, and Barcelona. Enjoy palatial-style boutique accommodation throughout the holiday, and savour delicious cuisine and regional wine. Be inspired!
view tour ⤍29 days / from9245 USD
From the South to the North - a Spanish Immersion
The ultimate trip for Spain lovers - explore the country at a leisurely pace from the South to the North. Start in Seville and make your way to Madrid via Granada and Cordoba. From Madrid, continue to the North - the Camino de Santiago, Basque Country and mountains await.
view tour ⤍16 days / from2538 USD
Gems in Southern Spain
Discover the gems of Southern Spain at a leisurely pace. Start and end is in Seville. From there, you will venture out to visit Cordoba, Granada, Ronda, Nerja, Malaga and the Costa del Sol, and much more on the way. Transportation and accommodation options are diverse and yours to choose.
view tour ⤍10 days / from4590 USD
Spanish Discovery - Barcelona, Seville & Madrid
This unique trip is ideal for everyone wanting to get a real taste of Spain. Private guides or small group tours await to show you Barcelona, Figueres, Seville, Cordoba, Toledo, and Madrid. Stay in luxurious Boutique Hotels conveniently located so you can explore the cities on your own as well.
view tour ⤍7 days / from3062 USD
Iberian Blend - Porto and Galicia
Neighbour countries - Portugal and Spain, different and similar at the same time, will surprise you with hospitality and loveliness. This itinerary includes the route of the Northwest part of Iberian Peninsula and offers you to meet beautiful Porto and stunning Vigo in Galicia/Spain.
view tour ⤍15 days / from5913 USD
Camino de Santiago & Portugal Deluxe
Hike the 'Way of Saint James', more precisely - the Portuguese Route, a World Heritage Site. After 5 days of beautiful hikes, it's time to say goodbye to Spain and hop on a plane to Portugal. Lisbon and Porto await before exploring the wineries of Douro Valley. A truly exceptional trip.
view tour ⤍4 days / from2538 USD
A Luxury Journey through the Vineyards of La Rioja
Visit La Rioja, Spain's most renowned wine-producing region, and discover the secrets of Spanish wine making. By the time this unique trip is over, you'll have sampled a wide range of fine Spanish wines, and you're sure to be going home as an expert.
view tour ⤍18 days / from5962 USD
Self Drive in Northern Spain
This tour is perfect for the independent traveller, with a sense of adventure and a love for food. Start in Santiago and discover among others Galicia and Asturia, all the way to Basque Country. On the way, Michelin starred restaurants and beautiful vineyards await. Finish your trip in Barcelona.
view tour ⤍8 days / from2479 USD
Castilian Castles: A Luxury Spanish Road Trip
Welcome to the driving trip of a lifetime through the Castile region, a picturesque land full of regenerated medieval castles and farmed plains. Explore places like Rioja Alavesa, a privileged microclimate for vine cultivation, and the majestic locations of Albarracin and Alarcón, at your own pace.
view tour ⤍9 days / from5935 USD
Unique Spain - Cultural Getaway
A trip filled with history, amazing landscapes and cultural attractions. Starting with walking tours around the cities hearts, to exploring the gastronomy, the arts and the folklore. Your trip begins in Barcelona before proceeding to Madrid and finishing in Seville - Andalusia's capital.
view tour ⤍Bilbao’s oldest surviving buildings are concentrated in the Casco Viejo, including many ancient mansions built on the wealth brought by international trade. This area is filled with bars, restaurants and chic shops and is even more lively by night than by day (especially at weekends).
If you want somewhere with more character than the upmarket hotel chains, you will want to base yourself in Casco Viejo, where there are more budget choices. Because you’ll be right in the action, be aware that this area can get noisy at night.
Best for movie buffs: Caravan Cinema
Each room in this comfortable little boutique hotel, just off the main square, celebrates a specific movie director, with all relevant films pre-loaded to the TV. Five, including “Pedro Almodóvar”, are normal-sized doubles, but the real joy is the retro-furnished, two-room Hitchcock apartment, which sleeps up to seven guests.
Best for those on a budget: Estrella Ostatu
If you want a simple place to lay your head and in a good location for walking to the sights, this pensión near Plaza Unamuno will give you no-nonsense service at a decent price.
The Ensanche is the nineteenth-century enlargement of Bilbao. The buildings here – many on wide and elegant avenues – speak of mercantile wealth, civic pride and modern Bilbao’s taste for cutting-edge architecture. Bilbao’s luxury hotels tend to be scattered across Ensanche; many feature hip contemporary architecture and highly regarded restaurants, and can be amazingly good value.
Best for style and luxury: Carlton
The grande dame of Biblao hotels, built in 1919 and still an atmospheric place to stay, with its abundant marble and dramatic stained-glass cupola. The rooms are tasteful and extremely comfortable, and several boast huge arched windows.
Best for family-run fun: Zubia Urban Rooms
Veteran family-run hotel, near the left bank of the river across from Casco Viejo, where the plain modernized rooms share bathrooms. The friendly staff are more than happy to share their local expertise; pets are welcome.
Until the mid-1990s, the area now known as Abandoibarra was as scruffy as the Ensanche was smart. Today, it’s Bilbao’s zone of luxury and leisure. It is simply a stunning example of redevelopment which has stimulated the transformation of Bilbao as a whole and has become a template for what can be done to post-industrial cities around the world. The rescue and revaluation of Abandoibarra began with the decision to site a European branch of the Guggenheim here. This may be the largest and most memorable piece of modern architecture in the area, but there are plenty of buildings to admire. You’ll find more upmarket hotels in Abandoibarra; some are monuments of contemporary architecture in their own right.
Best for a show-stopping lobby: Gran Hotel Domine
The work of designer Javier Mariscal, this is a wonderfully inspiring five-star hotel, appropriately close to the Guggenheim and sporting one of the most imaginative lobbies you’ll ever see. Each floor has a unique design, while the luxurious rooms have bathrooms with transparent glass, and tubs designed by Philippe Starck.
Best for the sleek and chic: Miró
Attractive fifty-room hotel, with minimalist décor, bathrooms finished in black marble (and separated from the chic, white-toned rooms by a curtain) and a decent spa.
Deusto and Castaños, on the river’s north bank, make good alternatives when deciding where to stay in Bilbao. There may be little in the way of traditional sites over here, but staying north of the river will allow you to get away from the crowds and start to see a bit of the “real” Bilbao.
Best for a smart hostel: Bilbao Akelarre Hostel
Modern, well-run and well-equipped hostel near the university, a short walk from the Guggenheim. There are a few double rooms – albeit with individual bunks – plus dorms sleeping from four to twelve. Rates include breakfast, coffee and tea.
Best for clean design: NH Collection
Smart, modern riverfront hotel, in a funky contemporary building fronted by pastel-coloured glassed-in balconies. The sizeable rooms have sleek minimalist furnishings, and there’s on-site parking. Close to the Zubizuri footbridge.
Another option for accommodation is to stay on the coast and commute into the city for sightseeing. The Basque coast, north of Bilbao, is a picturesque succession of beaches, bays, cliffs, headlands, inlets, green pastures, scenic drives and holiday resorts and fishing ports filled with bars and restaurants. The western part – the coast of Bizkaia province – is easily accessible to and from Bilbao by bus or train.
Best for clifftop charm: Caserio Arboliz
This conspicuous white-painted house, perched on a clifftop in Ibarrangelu, 1km southeast of Elantxobe, has been converted into a comfortable rural agroturismo, with kitchen facilities available, and a lovely sea-view garden.
Best for sea views: Saiaz Getaria
Magnificent fifteenth-century mansion, topped by formidable stone towers, and stylishly converted to hold seventeen exceptionally comfortable bedrooms. It is worth paying more for a room with a spectacular sea view.
Header image: Bilbao © Shutterstock
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written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 5.03.2020
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Spain