Free, tip what you liked · ★ 9.2/10 (231 reviews) · on Civitatis
Quick answer
Yes. There are 2 free walking tours in Bilbao listed here, bookable for free on Civitatis. The most reviewed is Free Walking Tour of Bilbao: it meets at Plaza del Arriaga, lasts about 2h30 and is guided in English, rated 9.2/10 from 231 reviews.
Start times vary by date and are confirmed when you book.
Bilbao grew rich on iron, shipbuilding and trade along the Nervión river, then reinvented itself after its industry declined. The Guggenheim Museum, opened in 1997, became the symbol of that change, but the city had two faces long before: the medieval Casco Viejo, whose original Seven Streets still form the heart of the old town, and the 19th-century Ensanche across the river, laid out for the merchants and bankers who made the city's money.
The two free tours follow that split. The historic tour starts at the Arriaga Theatre and covers Plaza Nueva, the Seven Streets, Santiago Cathedral, the Mallona steps and the Ribera market. The modern tour starts in the same square and walks from the Guggenheim along the river and the Gran Vía, past the Zubizuri bridge and the Isozaki towers.
Plan your visit to Bilbao
What to see in Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum by Frank Gehry is worth seeing even from outside, with Jeff Koons's flower-covered Puppy at the entrance; tickets and exhibitions are on the official museum website. A few minutes away, the Fine Arts Museum has one of the best collections in Spain outside Madrid.
Across the river, the Casco Viejo is for wandering: the arcaded Plaza Nueva, the Gothic Santiago Cathedral and the Ribera market on the riverbank. Climb the Mallona steps to the basilica of Begoña for a view over the rooftops.
Getting around and when to go
The centre is flat along the river and easy to walk; the tram runs along the bank and the metro covers longer distances. Late spring to early autumn has the most dependable weather. If you are touring northern Spain, Santiago de Compostela and Madrid both have free tours; see the month-by-month guide for timing.
Good to know before you go
Pintxos are Bilbao's bar food: small bites laid out on the counter. Plaza Nueva and the streets of the Casco Viejo are the classic place for a pintxo crawl in the early evening.
Bilbao has a well-earned reputation for rain. Pack a light waterproof layer, even in summer.
The metro, designed by Norman Foster, connects the centre with the beaches and the Bizkaia hanging bridge at Portugalete, a UNESCO site and an easy half-day trip.
In August the city holds its Aste Nagusia (Semana Grande) festival. Tour routes may change for a few days, and hotels fill up early.
Yes, two on Civitatis. The Free Walking Tour of Bilbao covers the historic Casco Viejo, and the Modern Bilbao Free Walking Tour covers the Guggenheim, the riverside and the Ensanche. The historic one is the most booked.
Where does the Bilbao free tour start?
The English tours meet in Plaza del Arriaga, in front of the main entrance of the Arriaga Theatre. The exact point and how to recognise the guide are confirmed in your booking.
Does the tour go inside the Guggenheim?
No. The modern tour explains the building from outside and along the river. Museum tickets are sold separately on the Guggenheim's official website.
How long are the Bilbao free tours?
The historic tour lasts two to two and a half hours; the modern tour about 1 hour 45 minutes. Many visitors do one each day.
How much should I tip on a free tour in Bilbao?
There is no fixed amount. At the end you give the guide what you think the tour was worth. Our tip calculator shows the usual range for Spain.
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