A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Adelaide vs. Bilbao for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Adelaide or Bilbao?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Adelaide and Bilbao can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a friendly, under-rated, and elegant city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Adelaide travel costs.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a authentic, colorful, and friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Bilbao travel costs.

Adelaide and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Adelaide or Bilbao?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bilbao than Adelaide. While Adelaide is larger than Bilbao, Bilbao has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bilbao is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Adelaide attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Adelaide is famous for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events. Bilbao is famous for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. It is also well known for The Guggenheim Museum.

How is Adelaide different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bilbao and Adelaide. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Adelaide or Bilbao?

Bilbao is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bilbao. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

Adelaide offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting buildings along North Terrace such as the Parliament House, the State Library of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum. At the Botanic Garden there's the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Also make sure you check out the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Is the Food Better in Adelaide or Bilbao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bilbao is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Bilbao have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Adelaide. There's great wine, local restaurants, and charming cafes. You'll find local dishes as well as international flavors around town. The local produce is good and the restaurants offer fresh and delicious recipes.

Is Adelaide or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Bilbao has a large number of nightlife venues. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Adelaide has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is filled with rooftop bars, live music venues, and boutique wine bars. Whether you're looking for trendy and luxury or casual and laid back, there are many places to spend a night out.

Is Adelaide or Bilbao Better for Beaches?

Adelaide is well known for the beach. However, Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Adelaide for it's beautiful beaches. Part of what makes the city's beaches so great is how accessible they are. You don't have to go far to be at some of the area's best beaches. Glenelg is a family-friendly beach near town. It's also the most popular and most accessible. Brighton is relaxed with cafes and small restaurants nearby. And for seafood, head to Henley.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Adelaide or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Adelaide does not have a historic old town.

Bilbao is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Adelaide does not have a historic old town.

Is Adelaide or Bilbao Better for Hiking?

Adelaide is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Adelaide offers some nice hiking trails. Outside of town there are national parks and reserves with hiking trails. You don't have to go far to explore the coastline or bushland in the area.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Adelaide or Bilbao?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Adelaide and Bilbao.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Adelaide. Rundle Mall is the most well known shopping area in town. You'll find boutique shops as well as large department stores. Whether you're looking for international fashion brands or something more local, there are many places to explore.

Bilbao is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Adelaide or Bilbao Better for Families?

Both Adelaide and Bilbao are nice to visit with kids.

Adelaide is a family-friendly city. There are kids museums, water parks, playgrounds, and beaches that are fun to explore with children. The city has a family-friendly vibe with kid-friendly restaurants and a welcoming personality.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bilbao. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is Adelaide or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Both Adelaide and Bilbao are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Adelaide is a nice destination for couples. A great date activity is a night at the opera. There are also boat rides, hot air balloon rides, and nice restaurants that make for a fun evening out.

Bilbao makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Is Adelaide or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Adelaide and Bilbao are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Adelaide is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but those who venture here will enjoy a great wine scene, beautiful beaches, and lively festivals.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Adelaide or Bilbao Better for Students?

Both Adelaide and Bilbao are nice destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Adelaide. It's a friendly and affordable city that has a nice student culture. It's very livable and accessible to other interesting places.

Bilbao is popular with students. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

Is Adelaide or Bilbao Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Adelaide and Bilbao.

Public transit in Adelaide is fairly effecient and thorough. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

Bilbao has some very good public transit options. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Adelaide or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Adelaide is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Adelaide is a very walkable city. The city is compact and laid out in a grid pattern, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Adelaide Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Adelaide?

How long in Adelaide or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Adelaide and Bilbao. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Adelaide than in Bilbao. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Adelaide, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

Families should spend more time in Bilbao than Adelaide. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bilbao, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bilbao than Adelaide. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bilbao that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bilbao than Adelaide if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bilbao.

One day in Adelaide or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Adelaide. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Bilbao offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Adelaide or Bilbao?

Adelaide is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bilbao is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bilbao, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Adelaide or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Adelaide. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bilbao is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Adelaide or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Adelaide. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bilbao is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Sydney, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Adelaide and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Adelaide much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Adelaide is in Pacific and Bilbao is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Adelaide would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Adelaide and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao than you might in Adelaide.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Adelaide Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Adelaide or Bilbao?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Adelaide and Bilbao, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Adelaide or Bilbao?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Adelaide is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Bilbao has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Adelaide or Bilbao in the Summer?

Both Bilbao and Adelaide during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Adelaide this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Adelaide is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Adelaide in January average around 22°C (72°F), and Bilbao averages at about 20°C (68°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Adelaide. In the summer, Adelaide often gets more sunshine than Bilbaoin July. Adelaide gets 330 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Adelaide usually gets less rain in January than Bilbaoin July. Adelaide gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Adelaide or Bilbao in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Adelaide and Bilbao. Many travelers come to Adelaide for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In April, Adelaide is generally around the same temperature as Bilbaoin October. Daily temperatures in Adelaide average around 18°C (64°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In Adelaide, it's very sunny this time of the year. Adelaide usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Adelaide gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Bilbaoin October. Adelaide gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Adelaide or Bilbao in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Adelaide as well as Bilbao. Many visitors come to Adelaide in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bilbao for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Adelaide is a little warmer than Bilbao in the winter. The daily temperature in Adelaide averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in January.

In the winter, Adelaide often gets more sunshine than Bilbaoin January. Adelaide gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Adelaide usually gets less rain in July than Bilbaoin January. Adelaide gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Adelaide or Bilbao in the Spring?

Both Bilbao and Adelaide are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Adelaide for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Adelaide is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Adelaide in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Bilbao averages at about 12°C (54°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Adelaide. Adelaide usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Adelaide gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In October, Adelaide usually receives less rain than Bilbaoin April. Adelaide gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Adelaide