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 P7,480 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P7,480
P8,229 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
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! (952 reviews)
"Staff are okay. I am not sure if some of them are just tired or have had a long day, they are just don’t seem approachable. Otherwise okay stay, very convenient to transportation, shopping and restaurants."

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

NYX Hotel Bilbao by Leonardo Hotels
GOIEN BOUTIQUE HOTEL

GOIEN BOUTIQUE HOTEL

3.5 out of 5
Somera, 1, Bilbao, Bizkaia
The price is P11,641 per night from Aug 1 to Aug 2
P11,641
P12,805 total
Aug 1 - Aug 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Popular attractions Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and San ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (95 reviews)
"This is the best hotel I have stayed in Spain in price vs money relationship, top staff, clean, renewed great location and is one of the best breakfast I have had !"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

GOIEN BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Petit Palace Arana

Petit Palace Arana

3 out of 5
C/ Bidebarrieta, 2, (en frente del teatro Arriaga), Bilbao, Vizcaya
The price is P7,104 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
P7,104
P7,814 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (994 reviews)
"Great location! Overall the hotel was fine, but I did get stuck on a few minor details. The room didn’t have an iron or enough “closet” space for two people on a three night stay. The shower door was difficult to secure as water seeped out during showers and we had to use the mat more for puddle ..."

Reviewed on Jul 21, 2025

Petit Palace Arana
Casual Bilbao Gurea

Casual Bilbao Gurea

2 out of 5
C/ Bidebarrieta 14 3º, Bilbao, Vizcaya
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! (478 reviews)
"I felt welcome from the start. The accommodations were excellent. Perfect location in the pedestrian zone."

Reviewed on Jul 25, 2025

Casual Bilbao Gurea
Sercotel Arenal Bilbao

Sercotel Arenal Bilbao

3 out of 5
Calle Fueros, 2, Bilbao, Vizcaya
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P6,619 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P6,619
P7,281 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
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! (451 reviews)
"Great location, on edge of old town. Could walk everywhere. Clean room, friendly staff,"

Reviewed on Jul 23, 2025

Sercotel Arenal Bilbao
Hotel Tayko Bilbao

Hotel Tayko Bilbao

4 out of 5
Erribera Kalea 13, Bilbao
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P10,460 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P10,460
P11,506 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Bilbao. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (764 reviews)
"Very friendly, helpful reception team. Housekeeping team are brilliant, room was spotless. Lovely building. Convenient location. Comfy bed, excellent shower. Can’t fault it!"

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Hotel Tayko Bilbao
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

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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
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
San Mames Stadium featuring a river or creek and modern architecture

Bilbao City Centre

Plaza Moyua and Gran Casino Bilbao 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
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Zabala

Zabala might not have many top sights, but Ribera Market and Santiago Cathedral are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Zabala
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao featuring street scenes, modern architecture and outdoor art

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 City Hall which includes modern architecture

Castaños

If you're spending some time in Castaños, Funicular de Artxanda and Bilbao City Hall are top sights worth seeing.

Castaños

Bilbao Old Town