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

Should you visit Bilbao or Chicago?

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 Chicago. 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Bilbao travel costs.

Chicago

Chicago is a edgey, cosmopolitan, and diverse city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Chicago is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the theater, nightlife, and live music. See Chicago travel costs.

Bilbao and Chicago: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Chicago?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Chicago than Bilbao, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Chicago is more popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, nightlife, music, beaches, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bilbao is known for its historical sights. Chicago is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its thriving sports scene, its iconic local cuisine, and its world class shopping at the Magnificent Mile. It is also home to The Willis Tower (previously the Sears Tower). Bilbao is popular for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Bilbao different from Chicago?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Chicago are among the most recognizable in the world. There are countless landmarks, museums, and iconic sights in the area. Some of the most famous are the Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Notable landmarks include the famous Willis Tower - formerly the Sears Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and the iconic Cloud Gate (the bean).

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.

Is Bilbao or Chicago Better for Theater?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its theatre productions. However, Bilbao is not a theatre destination.

Chicago is considered to be a world-class theater destination. Theater is big here with many of the major Broadway productions visiting the city. There is also an endless list of smaller, local theaters to choose from.

Bilbao is not a theatre destination.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Bilbao and Chicago can be difficult as they are each first-rate in their own way.

Eat your way through Bilbao, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

For foodies, Chicago is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. With everything from award-winning luxury restaurants to local dives, this city has something for everyone. It also has very distinct local flavors and dishes that create an identity and bring great pride to the locals. While you're in town you have to try the famous deep dish pizza, Chicago style hot dogs, and Italian beef.

Is Bilbao or Chicago Better for Nightlife?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Chicago has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It has a wide range of activities at night, with everything from theater and comedy clubs to dance venues, sporting events, and local bars. It's easy to fill many evenings with whatever activity appeals to you. Popular bars and clubs include the Smart Bar, Beauty Bar, and Le Nocturne.

Many people head to Bilbao for the nightlife scene. 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 Bilbao or Chicago Better for Music?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Bilbao is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Chicago The city is the birthplace of such interesting styles as modern gospel and the Chicago style blues.

Bilbao is not a live music destination.

Is Bilbao or Chicago Better for Beaches?

Chicago is a good destination for the beach. However, Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Chicago offers a nice beach destination. While you don't immediately think of beaches when you think of Chicago, there are some nice beaches by the lake. If the weather is nice, it's a great area to spend some time.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Bilbao or Chicago Better for its Old Town?

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

Bilbao offers a nice historic old town area. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Chicago does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Chicago?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Chicago make it a world-class shopping destination. There are countless neighborhoods that are filled with boutiques, local vendors, and art galleries. The city has some of the country's best shopping opportunities, and the most notable area is the famous Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Bilbao or Chicago Better for Christmas?

Chicago is well known for its Christmas activities. However, Bilbao does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Chicago. There's a number of seasonal celebrations, ice skating, and excellent shopping.

Bilbao does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Bilbao or Chicago Better for Christmas Markets?

Chicago is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Bilbao does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Chicago. Shopping is a highlight of a trip to the city, and the Christkindlmarkt is not to be missed.

Bilbao does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Bilbao or Chicago More Beautiful?

Chicago is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Bilbao is not a destination known for its beauty.

Chicago is a beautiful place to visit, too. The water makes this city a truly unique place to explore, and the world class architecture is not to be missed.

Bilbao is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bilbao or Chicago Better for Families?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Chicago is very family-friendly. The city has a large number of activities for kids, including zoos, Shedd Aquarium, impressive children's museums, and large and elaborate playgrounds in Millennium Park. It's easy to keep kids entertained in this very kid-focused city.

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 Chicago Better for Couples?

Bilbao and Chicago both good 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.

Chicago is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy exploring the city's vibrant theater scene and diverse neighborhoods. There are many varied restaurants and entertainment options that make for a great date night. There are also sporting events, parks, and gardens where couples can explore.

Is Bilbao or Chicago Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bilbao and Chicago are good 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 Chicago. The city doesn't have a huge backpacker vibe, but it does have a number of hostels that help keep costs in check.

Is Bilbao or Chicago Better for Students?

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Chicago is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a large number of universities that bring in students from around the country and around the globe. It's a huge international city with economic ties and many opportunities connected to the universities.

It's common for students to visit Bilbao. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

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

Chicago is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Chicago is top-notch. There's a subway (the "L"), a commuter well, as well as buses and countless taxis available.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bilbao. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Bilbao or Chicago a more walkable city?

Chicago 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.

Chicago is a very walkable city. The city has many restaurants, sights, and hotels that are easily accessible 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 Bilbao Worth Visiting? and Is Chicago Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chicago or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Chicago?

In either Bilbao or Chicago, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Chicago than Bilbao because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bilbao, and 3-5 days is enough time in Chicago.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chicago 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 Chicago.

One day in Bilbao or Chicago?

In Bilbao, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Chicago is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bilbao or Chicago?

In Bilbao, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bilbao has to offer.

Chicago 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.

Five days in Bilbao or Chicago?

Bilbao is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

A week in Bilbao or Chicago?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bilbao. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bilbao. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the cosmopolitan big city of Chicago. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Chicago?

Chicago has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Chicago, 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 Chicago?

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 Chicago in the Summer?

Both Chicago 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 Chicago in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bilbao is cooler than Chicago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bilbao in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Chicago averages at about 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Chicago. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. In July, Bilbao usually receives less rain than Chicago. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bilbao or Chicago in the Autumn?

Both Chicago 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Chicago for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Bilbao is generally a little warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 16°C (62°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

In the autumn, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Chicago. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in October than Chicago. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Chicago in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Chicago. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Chicago because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Chicago can be very cold. Bilbao is much warmer than Chicago in the winter. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 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 Chicago. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bilbao or Chicago in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Chicago. The spring months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the activities around the city. Additionally, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.

In the spring, Bilbao is around the same temperature as Chicago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bilbao in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Chicago averages at about 52°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chicago. In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Chicago. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chicago. Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the spring. Bilbao usually gets more rain in April than Chicago. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chicago and Bilbao