Hotels in Bilbao: where to stay in the city and on the coast

Bilbao itself, a city of around 347,000 people, is where most first-time visitors stay. Almost everything worth seeing is within roughly a mile of the centre: the Guggenheim Museum, St. James' Cathedral, the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, Chavarri Palace, Alhóndiga Bilbao and the protected old quarter of Casco Viejo. Staying here means you can walk between the river bridges, from La Salve to the Deusto Bridge and Puente Euskalduna, without needing a car.

Portugalete, about 6 miles from the city, is a coastal town of some 46,000 people on the estuary. It is the base for Las Arenas beach and the Basilica of Santa María, and it suits travellers who want sea air in the evening but easy access to the city by day.

Santurtzi, around 7 miles out and of similar size, is the other coastal option. It is quieter in terms of listed sights, which is exactly its appeal if you want a calmer stay close to the water, and it is just 9 minutes by road from Bilbao airport.

In Bilbao the accommodation is city accommodation: hotels and apartments in an urban setting, chosen mainly for their position relative to Casco Viejo, the riverside museums and the bridges. Think of it as a city break base rather than a resort, where location matters more than facilities, because you will spend your days on foot.

Portugalete and Santurtzi are smaller coastal towns rather than purpose-built resorts, so expect a more local, residential feel than you would find on the Costas. They work well for travellers who prefer a town by the water to a city centre, and for those arriving by ferry or car who want somewhere easy to park and settle. Use the hotel prices on this page to compare what is available in each town for your dates.

Bilbao's weather is green-country weather, so plan around rain rather than heat. July and August are the warmest months, with highs of 25 to 26°C and the fewest rain days, about ten a month, which makes them the most popular for coastal stays in Portugalete and Santurtzi. November is the wettest month at around 159mm, and winter highs sit at 12 to 14°C, which suits museum-focused city breaks better than beach time. Expect rates to rise during UK school holidays, so book early if you are tied to those weeks.

Getting there is straightforward. Bilbao airport has direct flights from the UK and is only 4 minutes from the city, 8 from Portugalete and 9 from Santurtzi. Santander airport also has direct flights and is about an hour away: 57 minutes to Santurtzi, 58 to Portugalete and 66 to Bilbao. If you prefer to bring your own car, Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao in roughly 28 to 32 hours, and to Santander from Portsmouth or Plymouth.

On this page you can compare live hotel prices, package holidays combining flights and hotel from several providers, tours and tickets, and car hire, so you can weigh up a room-only city stay against a package before you book.