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

Should you visit Biarritz or Bilbao?

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

Should I visit Biarritz or Bilbao? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Biarritz

Biarritz is a dynamic, cultural, and relaxing seaside town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a authentic, colorful, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Biarritz and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Biarritz or Bilbao?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bilbao than Biarritz, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bilbao is better known for its museums, historical sights, and big city activities, while Biarritz is more popular for its food, resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Biarritz is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. Also, Bilbao is famous for The Guggenheim Museum.

How is Biarritz different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bilbao is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Biarritz is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Bilbao offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Biarritz offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people pass their time relaxing on the beach or taking a walk, but you can also visit the Biarritz Aquarium or the Biarritz Lighthouse.

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

Biarritz is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Biarritz. The food is a delicious mix of French, Spanish, and Basque flavors. Seafood is an obvious influence, but you'll also find meat and bread in many dishes. Local specialties include the oysters, pintxos (a snack of bread topped with ham, cheese, or vegetables), and marmitako (tuna stew).

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. 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.

Is Biarritz or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Both Biarritz and Bilbao have superb vibes after the sun sets.

Biarritz has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city center has the most bars and clubs if you're looking for a party. Head to Port Vieux or Les Halles for some of the city's best nightlife. For a more relaxed night out, there are night markets as well as beach front terraces and rooftops where you can sip wine in a mellow atmosphere.

The people in Bilbao know how to have a good time. 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.

Is Biarritz or Bilbao Better for Resorts?

Biarritz is well known for its resorts. However, Bilbao is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Biarritz to choose from. You'll find a mix of holiday cottages, vacation rentals, and beachfront hotels. There are also hostels around town for those on a budget.

Bilbao is not a resort destination.

Is Biarritz or Bilbao Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Biarritz for it's beautiful beaches. There are plenty of sandy beaches near the town that offer great surfing. For calmer water you can head to some of the smaller bays. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Le Grande Plage, Plage du Miramar, and Plage Port Vieux.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Biarritz or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a popular place for its old town. However, Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Bilbao. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Biarritz does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Biarritz or Bilbao?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Biarritz and Bilbao.

Biarritz is well-known for its shopping. The town has many market halls, boutiques, and department stores. Head to Avenue de Verdun for some quirky local stores or Place Georges Clemenceau for more high end shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Biarritz or Bilbao Better for Families?

Biarritz is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Biarritz is a very kid-friendly seaside town. The sandy beaches are great for surfing, but you'll also find some calm water where kids can play. There are plenty of surf schools in the area that will help kids learn if they're just beginning to surf. Kids who love the ocean will find tons of entertainment in this seaside town.

Bilbao offers lots of family activities. 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 Biarritz or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Biarritz is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Biarritz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many coastal walks, sandy beaches, and surfing opportunities that couples can enjoy. Combine that with great French cuisine and a lively atmosphere, and you won't find a better couples getaway.

Bilbao is a good seaside town for couples to visit. 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 Biarritz or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Biarritz is well known for backpackers. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Biarritz is a great seaside town to visit for backpackers. The town attracts surfers and there are plenty of hostels and other accommodation options for budget travelers or backpackers.

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

Is Biarritz or Bilbao Better for Students?

Bilbao is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Biarritz is not popular with students.

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

Biarritz is not popular with students.

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

Bilbao is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Biarritz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Bilbao can get you to some places easily. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

You'll find some public transit in Biarritz, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are regional bus lines to nearby towns operated by Chronoplus and PESA.

Is Biarritz or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Biarritz 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.

Biarritz is a very walkable seaside town. The city center is very walkable and you can reach many of the beaches on foot as well.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Biarritz?

How long in Biarritz or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Biarritz and Bilbao. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Biarritz than in Bilbao. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Biarritz, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Biarritz than Bilbao 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 Biarritz.

One day in Biarritz or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Biarritz. 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 nightlife 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 Biarritz or Bilbao?

Biarritz is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. 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 Biarritz or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Biarritz. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bilbao is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Biarritz or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the dynamic destination of Biarritz. This seaside town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Bilbao is a great place to explore. 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 Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

When comparing the travel costs between Biarritz and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Biarritz or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Biarritz. When comparing the sizes of Biarritz 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 Biarritz or Bilbao?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Biarritz or Bilbao in the Summer?

Both Bilbao and Biarritz during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Biarritz for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Biarritz is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the summer. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Biarritz. In the summer, Biarritz often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Biarritz gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Biarritz usually gets more rain in July than Bilbao. Biarritz gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Bilbao in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Biarritz and Bilbao. The autumn months attract visitors to Biarritz because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In the autumn, Biarritz is around the same temperature as Bilbao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Biarritz in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Bilbao averages at about 16°C (62°F).

Biarritz usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Biarritz gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Biarritz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Biarritz gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Biarritz or Bilbao in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Biarritz as well as Bilbao. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene.

In January, Biarritz is generally around the same temperature as Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Biarritz average around 8°C (47°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Biarritz often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Biarritz gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Biarritz receives a lot of rain in the winter. Biarritz usually gets more rain in January than Bilbao. Biarritz gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Biarritz or Bilbao in the Spring?

Both Bilbao and Biarritz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Biarritz for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city.

Biarritz is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the spring. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Biarritz usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Biarritz gets 141 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. It's quite rainy in Biarritz. In April, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Biarritz gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Biarritz