no alt text

Recommended itinerary:

Last updated: 02 March, 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.

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

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+ | Free

Basque Museum of Bilbao
Experience

Basque Museum of Bilbao

Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

A Basque ethnographic museum in the old part of Bilbao dedicated to the culture and history of one of Europe’s oldest peoples. Closed on Tuesdays.

Best for ages: 18+ | £5

Website >
Overview >
man standing infront of two portrait paintings, hung on bright red wall
Experience

Bilbao Museum of Fine Arts

Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

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

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Website >
Overview >

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.

external view of entrance
Experience

Bilbao Maritime Museum

Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

This recently-added museum hosts special exhibitions dedicated to Bilbao’s seafaring and shipbuilding past.

Best for ages: 13+ | £5

Website >
Overview >

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

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

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Website >
Overview >
Interior of museum showing tools and equipment for making wine
Experience

Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture

Briones, La Rioja, Spain

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.

Best for ages: 18+ | £13

Website >
Overview >
couple looking at wine vats
Experience

CVNE (Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana)

Haro, La Rioja, Spain

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+ | Free

Website >
Overview >

Eurostars Los Agustinos

Haro, La Rioja, Spain

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

Official star rating:

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

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

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Website >
Overview >
views over a long series of wine barrels
Experience

Bodegas Jilaba

Araba, La Rioja, Spain

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

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Website >
Overview >
External view looking to the entrance. The curvy building has mountains behind
Experience

Bodegas Ysios

Araba, La Rioja, Spain

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+ | Free

Website >
Overview >

Hotel Marques de Riscal

Eltziego, Basque Country, Spain

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

Official star rating: