If you’re planning to travel to Basque Country, a city you shouldn’t miss is Bilbao. This industrial port city is beautifully surrounded by the mountain ranges of Cantabria and the Pyrenées. Aside from natural beauty, you’ll be amazed at the various architectural works this city offers. Guggenheim Museum, an art museum in Bilbao, is one of the iconic buildings and pride of the city. Beyond the museum’s art collections, the building itself is a representation of 20th-century architectural wonder. In the article, here are the best hotels in Bilbao Spain, that you can try out. Check out our City Guide to Bilbao here.
Vacationers are in for a treat as there are plenty of things to do in Bilbao. Slowly start your exploration of the city by riding a boat down the Ría del Nervión or de Bilbao. You can also ride an ancient funicular cable railway to the top of Mount Artxanda to get panoramic views of the city. Bilbao is also known for its culinary scene. A visit to this city is not complete without dining in at least one best restaurant in Bilbao that is Michelin-starred and trying out their famous tapa called pintxos. Some of the best pintxos in Bilbao can be found in Zuga, Sorginzulo, and Café Bar Bilbao. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to mingle with the locals as you experience their lively nightlife culture.
To maximize the fun in your Bilbao vacation, finding the right accommodation is a must. We’ve collated some of the finest Bilbao hotels in different star ratings. Check out our list so you can choose a Bilbao hotel that suits your budget and overall preference. You can book, check prices, and check availability with Booking.com, Agoda, and read reviews on Tripadvisor below each accommodation.
If you plan on traveling throughout Spain you may want to see where to stay in Valencia and where to stay in Barcelona.
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Bed and Breakfast in Bilbao
Pension Luxury Lo Bilbao
An apartamento Bilbao you can book in this northern Spain city is the Pension Luxury Lo Bilbao. It offers clean and simple accommodations with air conditioning and free WiFi access. The rooms come with a flat-screen TV, coffee machine, desk, and a private bathroom. Those who would want to wake up to enticing city views can request a room with a terrace. Guests can start their day with a continental breakfast at this property before exploring the city. From this accommodation in Bilbao, you can easily watch performances at Arriaga Theatre or mingle with the locals at the Casco Viejo neighborhood.
Pensión H30 Salces
Similar to an aparthotel Bilbao accommodation is what the PENSIÓN H30 SALCES offers. The guest house features a contemporary décor that will give you hotel vibes upon entering. Units are perfect for families. Each room has basic amenities, including a flat-screen TV, wardrobe, desk, and a private bathroom. Wi-Fi access is also free for all guests and can be accessed throughout the property. If you’re looking for where to stay in Bilbao, this bed and breakfast is the ideal choice as they are near Arriaga Theatre, Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, and Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
Pensión Luxury Plaza Nueva
If you prefer stylish Bilbao accommodation that won’t harm your budget, go to Pensión Luxury Plaza Nueva. The property is set in Bilbao City Centre district making it an excellent base going to famous points of interest like Calatrava Bridge, Catedral de Santiago, and Funicular de Artxanda. All the air-conditioned rooms are classy and spacious and come with a flat-screen TV, desk, and a private bathroom. Guests can also connect easily using the property’s free Wi-Fi access. Look for no other cheap hotels in Bilbao aside from this bed and breakfast. It offers the convenience vacationers and business travelers are looking for.
Budget Hostels in Bilbao
Bilbao Akelarre Hostel
The Akelarre Hostel in Bilbao boasts of being the first private hostel built in the city. It offers cheap accommodations so you can explore the Basque Country capital without worrying about your budget. The basic rooms are shared with bunk beds and have access to free Wi-Fi. The common area has a fridge, microwave, and kitchenware. This is the part of the property where you get a chance to get along with other guests. To help with your tour, they have a tourist information area and even offer a bicycle rental service. This accommodation in Bilbao, Spain is close to attractions like Guggenheim Museum and Euskalduna Palace.
Poshtel Bilbao – Premium Hostel
True to its name, the Poshtel Bilbao – Premium Hostel offers people a posh place to stay. This fancy accommodation Bilbao hostel near Guggenheim Museum used to be a factory but was redecorated to be a chic lodging. Guests have the option to book a private room or share a bunk bed. Either way, all units are ensured to have comfy mattresses, heating and air conditioning, individual reading lights, USB charging ports, lockers, storage space, and other amenities. What makes this hostel comparable with other hotels in Bilbao is that they have an on-site bar and restaurant, as well as a sauna. So, if you’re looking for hotels in Bilbao Old Town, choose this hostel instead to save more of your budget.
Quartier Bilbao Hostel
A boutique albergue in Bilbao—this is what the Quartier Bilbao Hostel is known for. It is situated in the heart of Bilbao Historic Center making it easy for guests to visit the Cathedral of Santiago, the Ría de Bilbao, and the Mercado de la Ribera. The property is also close to Plaza Nueva allowing guests to taste the best tapas in Bilbao. Private rooms and mixed dorms are available. All of them have lockers with padlocks, heating and air conditioning, and Wi-Fi access. The cozy beds also have a reading light and individual plug installed. In this property, guests can make friends with others at the rooftop terrace, TV lounge, or other common areas. They also have kitchenware wherein you can prepare food or help yourself to a continental breakfast before setting foot at Bilbao’s popular sites.
3-Star Hotels in Bilbao
Hotel Conde Duque Bilbao
The Hotel Conde Duque is a well-kept, city center hotel in Bilbao offering modern features. To give the best hotel Bilbao experience, the rooms in this three-star hotel are redecorated to have a fresh look. Each unit has comfortable beds with fine linens, a cozy armchair, a spacious closet with wooden hangers, as well as an in-room safe. Some of the units even have a bathtub. Guests who check in at this hotel can use the on-site sauna and fitness center for free. This hotel makes sure to start the day for their guests right by offering a breakfast buffet complete with a selection of cured meats and sausages, pastries, fresh-squeezed juices, and a wide range of hot beverages. Guests also have the option to drink at nearby bustling pintxo bars or the in-house cocktail bar.
Sercotel Arenal Bilbao
One of the hotels in Bilbao, Spain city center district is the Sercotel Arenal. This 3-star hotel features a red exterior making it easy for guests to locate it. Tourists are welcomed to bright and minimalist interiors. The hotel offers rooms for families, couples, or solo travelers. All upscale rooms come with plush beds and linens, smart TV, minibar, telephone, a private bathroom with a hairdryer, and other amenities. Of course, free Wi-Fi access is available. Buffet breakfast is available every day. Moreover, this is one of the Bilbao, Spain hotels that are pet-friendly. The attractions near this hotel are Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, and Funicular de Artxanda.
Hotel Ilunion Bilbao
This is a hotel in Bilbao, Spain that takes pride in its unbeatable location and spacious event rooms. That is why it’s a favorite choice of accommodation for those on a leisure or business trip. All the vast rooms are brightened up with shades of white and grey. Each unit is fully furnished ensuring guests will have a good night’s rest. In-room amenities include air conditioning, flat-screen TV, a minibar, and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. Accessible rooms are also available for guests with reduced mobility. Guests don’t need to search further for the best places to eat in Bilbao as this hotel’s La Kedada Bar & Restaurant serves the famous local pintxos and other Basque cuisines. Other facilities of the hotel include a gym with state-of-the-art equipment, lounge areas, working areas, and computer areas. Free Wi-Fi access is also available. Points of interest such as Iturriza Casilda Park, Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, and Guggenheim Museum are within walking distance of this hotel.
4-Star Hotels in Bilbao
Hotel Miró
Situated just across the Guggenheim Museum is the Hotel Miro Bilbao. It is one of the boutique hotels in Bilbao that was fashionably created. The elegance is visible in every part of the hotel, not only in the rooms but also in the library, fitness center, meeting rooms, and other facilities. The minimalist-style rooms are equipped with clean beds and linens, as well as a marbled bathroom with Molton Brown toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers. Wi-Fi access is free for all guests. Before heading out to the city, guests are energized by the hotel’s continental breakfast. Then, they can end the day with some drinks at the hotel’s Honesty Bar. The superb location of this hotel makes it easy for guests to explore the buildings created by some of the most recognized architects and dine in at some traditional Basque restaurants.
Hotel Tayko Bilbao
A 1924-built hotel in the Basque Country is the Hotel Tayko Bilbao. Its location is set near attractions such as Arriaga Theatre, Catedral de Santiago, and Guggenheim Museum. The building may be a 150-year-old reflection of Bilbao’s history but the architecture and design of the hotel remain timeless. Guests can either choose a room with views of the river or the Casco Viejo neighborhood. Either way, all rooms are soundproofed to guarantee a peaceful ending to their day. Each unit has a private bathroom, air conditioning, Climalit windows, neat beds, smart TV, safe box with USB charger, and premium Wi-Fi access. Free bottled waters are also available. Cots for babies can be requested and puppies are welcome. If you’re looking for hotels in Bilbao with parking, this hotel offers two options. The hotel also has a gym, a chill-out corner, and a 24-hour front desk. It also takes pride in its Michelin-star restaurant Ola and Gastrobar Patri where the guests can indulge in a continental breakfast and à la carte lunches and dinners.
Catalonia Gran Vía Bilbao
Searching for Bilbao hotels with pool? The Catalonia Gran Vía Bilbao has you covered. This brand-new hotel is ideally set near the Guggenheim Museum and the Euskalduna Conference Centre. With its location on Gran Vía Don Diego López de Haro, guests can dine in the best restaurants in Bilbao or shop in the city’s best stores. Whether you’re on a vacation or a business trip, this hotel won’t disappoint. The sophisticated rooms are equipped with plush beds and linens, a flat-screen TV, desk, kettle, and a bathroom with a bidet, shower, and free toiletries. Guests have the option to devour on continental or buffet breakfast. This hotel prioritizes the comfort of the guests. That is why the hotel is furnished with facilities such as a wellness area with a sauna, steam bath, and massage tables, as well as a fitness center with avant-garde equipment. Furthermore, it has a bar wherein guests can enjoy local pintxos, wines, and other traditional specialties.
5-Star Hotels in Bilbao
Hotel Carlton Bilbao
When it comes to elegance and luxury hotels, nothing can compare to Hotel Carlton Bilbao. This five-star hotel has been around since 1926 yet it remains one of the most symbolic buildings in the Basque Country. The building was built using a Beaux-Arts architectural style and has a triangular arrangement with chamfered corners. Guests are welcomed to the stained-glass windows with light filters shining through. Overall, it is a perfect example of classic beauty. The high-class rooms come with generous space. They are also furnished with air conditioning, flat-screen TV, a coffee maker, an in-room safe, and a private bathroom. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. This best hotel in Bilbao also has two restaurants and bars serving Basque dishes and international favorites. Moreover, the hotel is set in a prime location. It’s next to Gran Via and a few minutes away from Guggenheim Museum. Moyua Metro Station and Alsa Bilbao bus stop connections are also within reach.
Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao
Just opposite of Guggenheim Museum is where the Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao is situated. This well-polished hotel features air-conditioned rooms with carpeted floors, as well as a private bathroom with a bathtub, bathrobe, and slippers. Other amenities in the room are a flat-screen TV, USB connection, and free Wi-Fi access. Guests can start their day with breakfast on the rooftop and just be in awe of the magnificent views of the museum and the River Nervion. Other dining and booze options are available at the on-site bars and Beltz restaurant. For the complete relaxation of the guests, this 5-star hotel in Bilbao offers a wellness area with beauty and health treatments, as well as a Turkish bath and sauna. The hotel’s reception staff is available 24/7 to guide guests about the best things to do in Bilbao. From this hotel, The Museum of Fine Arts and the Maritime Museum are just a stone’s throw away. Shops, boutiques, restaurants, and pintxos bars are also easily accessible.
Hotel Meliá Bilbao
The Hotel Melia Bilbao is perfectly lined up between the Palacio Euskalduna and the Guggenheim Museum. This one of the best hotels in Bilbao not only features stunning architecture but also a wide array of the most advanced facilities to cater to the guests’ needs. Each of their rooms has a reddish décor and tranquil vibes with ample space. For the full comfort of guests, a pillow menu is available. The bathrooms in every room also have marble floors and an adjustable heating system. Guests wake up to a varied breakfast buffet with a selection of local and international fare. Aside from restaurants, the hotel also has a bar. While on a break from touring Bilbao, guests can dip in the semi-indoor heated pool, work out at the gym, or simply have massages. Services like ironing and laundry, Bilbao airport transfer, or alquiler coche Bilbao can be requested at a certain fee.
Notable Mentions
There are numerous hotels in Bilbao. It was difficult to choose sometimes. So here are a few more that are great.
- The Barceló Bilbao Nervión
- Casco Viejo StationHotels
- NYX Hotel Bilbao
- Petit Palace Arana
- Hotel Mercure Jardines
Plan Your Bilbao Trip by Choosing the Best Hotel
Bilbao is a city worth visiting when you are in Spain. Upon setting foot here, you’ll surely be impressed with the plethora of modern architecture, references to Basque culture, and the world-class art museums in Bilbao. The culinary offerings that the best restaurants Bilbao serves would also make an unforgettable treat. Before exploring this city’s wonders, make sure to find the best place to stay in Bilbao that fits your preferences. Make this article your guide in choosing which of the finest Bilbao hotels you should book on your next trip!