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Bucket list trip:

Last updated: 20 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

Where to go and what to see in Bilbao & the Rioja Wine Region – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.

Editor note – Dana has not included specific recommendations of where to stay each day unless it’s necessary. Instead, see the ‘Where to stay’ section in our Bilbao destination guide.

Start with the titanium marvel – Frank Gehry’s fabulous Bilbao Guggenheim, then lunch in the museum, either at Michelin-starred Nerua or a more affordable bistro.

In the evening, stroll through the Casco Viejo – the lively historic centre of Bilbao – joining in a txikiteo (tapas crawl) with the locals.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

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Bucket List Experience
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

A world-famous art gallery housing some of the world’s most important contemporary art exhibitions. In Frank Gehry’s striking swirl of a building.

Adult price: £22

Best for ages 18+

Let your senses be deliciously assaulted in the Ribera Market, one of the largest markets in Europe, before visiting the Basque Museum.

Have an elegant lunch at Etxanobe, before heading over to the Fine Arts Museum. Relax in the adjacent Casilda Iturrizar park, then dine in the traditional La Vina del Ensanche, one of the city’s most popular restaurants.

Ribera Market

Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

external facade of the market

One of the biggest covered markets in the world, this Basque food market is a lush, colourful extravaganza of wonderfully fresh produce.

Best for ages 13+

Basque Museum of Bilbao

Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

Basque Museum of Bilbao

The Euskal Museoa is a Basque ethnographic museum celebrating the culture and history of one of Europe’s oldest peoples.  It offers a comprehensive journey through Basque history, culture, and traditions, through archaeological artefacts, traditional costumes, Basque language and literature displays, and interactive installations. Closed on Tuesdays.

Adult price: £5

Best for ages 18+

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Bilbao Museum of Fine Arts

Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

man standing infront of two portrait paintings, hung on bright red wall

Bilbao’s fine arts museum boasts a superb collection of masterpieces, from El Greco and Zurburan to Gaugin and Francis Bacon, plus excellent contemporary art exhibitions.

Best for ages 18+

Spend a day dedicated to the sea, starting with the Bilbao Maritime Museum.

Lunch at nearby Restaurante Aizian, then take the metro north to Bidezabal, and follow La Galea Walk over the sea cliffs passing by beautiful Gorrondatxe beach.

In the evening, choose one of 400 gins at the Abadia del Gin Tonic, before a seafood feast at Mugarra.

Bilbao Maritime Museum

Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

external view of entrance

Located in the city’s historic port area, this interesting museum explains the region’s rich maritime heritage, and Bilbao’s seafaring and shipbuilding past. Housed in the iconic Euskalduna Palace, it features a diverse collection of exhibits, historical artefacts, ship models, and interactive displays.

Adult price: £5

Best for ages 13+

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Head south to the Rioja wine region, with a guided tour from Bilbao or San Sebastian, or linger by hiring a car.

The Vivanco Wine Museum outside Briones, an hour from Bilbao, is an excellent place to start – and have a delicious lunch.

In the afternoon, head to Haro to visit CVNE, one of Spain’s largest wineries, then dine at Haro’s superb Nublo restaurant before checking in at Los Agustinos.

Rioja Wine Region

La Rioja, Spain

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Bucket List Experience
view of a neatly planted vineyard with lines of vines. a small town is behind

World-class wine region offering a heady mix of great bodegas, gorgeous scenery and avant-garde architecture.

Best for ages 18+

Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture

Briones, La Rioja, Spain

Interior of museum showing tools and equipment for making wine

A well-equipped, new museum created by the winemaking Vivanco family, that explains the history of winemaking in the Rioja region. For an extra few Euros, you can get a guided tour with wine tasting. There’s also a superb restaurant devoted to Riojan cuisine. Closed Monday & Tuesday.

Adult price: £13

Best for ages 18+

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CVNE (Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana)

Haro, La Rioja, Spain

couple looking at wine vats

One of the biggest wineries in Spain, CVNE offers a range of tours including lunches, cellar tours and children’s workshops.

Best for ages 18+

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Eurostars Los Agustinos

Haro, La Rioja, Spain

|Official star rating:

Eurostars Los Agustinos

A medieval monastery in Haro, converted into an evocative hotel and restaurant; perfect for oenophiles nosing around La Rioja.

Average £130

Extra beds

Pool

2+ bedrooms

Beach

Kids menu

Fitness center

Kids club

In the morning, head east to Araba to tour Bodegas Jilaba and Santiago Calatrava’s Bodegas Ysios.

Make the short drive to Elciego and Frank Gehry’s fantastical Hotel Marques de Riscal. Have lunch at their 1860 Tradicion restaurant.

In the afternoon, enjoy a vinotherapie spa session before a feast at their Michelin-starred restaurant.

Rioja Wine Region

La Rioja, Spain

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Bucket List Experience
view of a neatly planted vineyard with lines of vines. a small town is behind

World-class wine region offering a heady mix of great bodegas, gorgeous scenery and avant-garde architecture.

Best for ages 18+

Bodegas Jilaba

Araba, La Rioja, Spain

views over a long series of wine barrels

This very friendly and welcoming vineyard has beautiful views to go with its informative guided tour and tastings.

Best for ages 18+

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More details >

Bodegas Ysios

Araba, La Rioja, Spain

External view looking to the entrance. The curvy building has mountains behind

In a gorgeous mountain setting, taste superb wines in this bodega with a mountain-inspired design, by Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava.

Best for ages 18+

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More details >

Hotel Marques de Riscal

Eltziego, Basque Country, Spain

|Official star rating:

external view of the entrance with swirling roof of silver undulating sheets

Frank Gehry’s ultimate wine lover’s hotel by a famous Rioja bodega, with a wine bar, wine therapy spa and restaurants.

Average £380

Extra beds

Pool

2+ bedrooms

Beach

Kids menu

Fitness center

Kids club