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

Should you visit Bilbao or Baltimore?

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 Baltimore. 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 colorful, friendly, and industrial city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a colorful, historic, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bilbao and Baltimore: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Baltimore?

You'll generally find more things to do in Baltimore than Bilbao. Baltimore is bigger than Bilbao, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Baltimore is better known for its food, while Bilbao is more popular for its historical sights. Baltimore is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. Also, Baltimore is famous for the National Aquarium. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Bilbao different from Baltimore?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Baltimore 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 Baltimore?

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Bilbao and Baltimore.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Baltimore offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Baltimore. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

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 Baltimore Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bilbao and Baltimore.

Bilbao is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Many people head to Baltimore for the nightlife scene. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

Is Bilbao or Baltimore Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is very good for its old town. However, Baltimore does not have a historic old town.

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

Baltimore does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Baltimore?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Baltimore and Bilbao.

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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Baltimore. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Is Bilbao or Baltimore Better for Families?

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

Baltimore is a very kid-friendly city. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

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 Bilbao or Baltimore Better for Couples?

Bilbao and Baltimore both notable destinations for a couple.

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.

Baltimore is a good city for couples to visit. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Bilbao or Baltimore Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bilbao and Baltimore are notable 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 Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Is Bilbao or Baltimore Better for Students?

Bilbao is very good for students. However, Baltimore is not popular with students.

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

Baltimore is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Bilbao and Baltimore.

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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Baltimore. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

Is Bilbao or Baltimore a more walkable city?

Baltimore 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.

Baltimore is a very walkable city. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

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 Bilbao Worth Visiting? and Is Baltimore Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Baltimore or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Baltimore?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bilbao and Baltimore. In our opinion, Baltimore has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Baltimore than Bilbao. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Bilbao or Baltimore?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Baltimore. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bilbao or Baltimore?

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.

Baltimore 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.

Five days in Bilbao or Baltimore?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the industrial 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 Baltimore. 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 Baltimore?

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 vibrant destination of Baltimore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Baltimore, we can see that Baltimore 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Baltimore 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 Baltimore Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Baltimore?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Baltimore, 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 Baltimore?

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 Baltimore in the Summer?

Both Baltimore and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Baltimore in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Bilbao is cooler than Baltimore in the summer. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Baltimore fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Baltimore. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. In July, Bilbao usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bilbao or Baltimore in the Autumn?

Both Baltimore and Bilbao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Baltimore for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Bilbao is a little warmer than Baltimore. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bilbao in October average around 16°C (62°F), and Baltimore averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In the autumn, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in October than Baltimore. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Baltimore in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Baltimore. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Baltimore can be very cold. In January, Bilbao is generally much warmer than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 9°C (48°F), and Baltimore fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Baltimore during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Baltimore. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bilbao or Baltimore in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Baltimore. The spring months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Baltimore. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the spring. Bilbao usually gets more rain in April than Baltimore. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Baltimore and Bilbao