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

Should you visit Bilbao or Anchorage?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bilbao and Anchorage. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a industrial, authentic, and colorful city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a scenic, breathtaking, and cultural city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Bilbao and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Anchorage?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bilbao than Anchorage. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bilbao is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Anchorage attracts visitors for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Anchorage is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. 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 Bilbao different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bilbao is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Anchorage offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

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

Anchorage is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Anchorage. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

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 Bilbao or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

Bilbao offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Bilbao or Anchorage Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Bilbao to see the historical old town. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Anchorage does not have a historic old town.

Is Bilbao or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is an amazing city to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Anchorage is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Anchorage?

Bilbao is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Bilbao is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Anchorage. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is Bilbao or Anchorage Better for Families?

Both Bilbao and Anchorage are nice family-friendly destinations.

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.

Anchorage offers lots of family activities. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Is Bilbao or Anchorage Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Anchorage frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

Bilbao is a good city 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 Bilbao or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bilbao and Anchorage are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Is Bilbao or Anchorage Better for Students?

Bilbao is a city with good options for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

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

Anchorage is not popular with students.

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

Bilbao is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Bilbao is fairly effecient and thorough. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Bilbao or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Bilbao is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

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

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bilbao and Anchorage. In our opinion, Bilbao has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bilbao than Anchorage. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bilbao, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

Families should spend more time in Bilbao than Anchorage. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bilbao than Anchorage 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 Bilbao or Anchorage?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bilbao. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Anchorage. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bilbao or Anchorage?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial destination of Bilbao. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Anchorage is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bilbao or Anchorage?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Bilbao. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Anchorage. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

A week in Bilbao or Anchorage?

Bilbao is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the artsy destination of Anchorage. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Anchorage, we can see that Anchorage is more expensive. And not only is Bilbao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao is in Europe and Anchorage is in North America, 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 Bilbao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bilbao 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 Anchorage would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Anchorage than you might in Bilbao.

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

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Anchorage?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Anchorage. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Anchorage, 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 Bilbao or Anchorage?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bilbao or Anchorage in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Anchorage. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bilbao is generally a little warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 20°C (68°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Anchorage this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bilbao or Anchorage in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Anchorage. The autumn months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.

It's quite cold in Anchorage in the autumn. Bilbao is much warmer than Anchorage in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 16°C (62°F) in October, and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

In the autumn, Bilbao often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Anchorage. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bilbao usually gets more rain in October than Anchorage. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Anchorage in the Winter?

Both Anchorage and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. In the winter, Bilbao is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bilbao in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Anchorage averages at about 15°F (-9°C).

Bilbao usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Anchorage during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In January, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bilbao or Anchorage in the Spring?

Both Anchorage and Bilbao during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Anchorage in the spring for the natural beauty.

Anchorage can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Bilbao is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 12°C (54°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

In Anchorage, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Anchorage. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in April than Anchorage. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Bilbao