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

Should you visit Bilbao or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda. 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 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.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a fun, energetic, and scenic lake. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bilbao and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Lake Garda?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bilbao than Lake Garda, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bilbao is better known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Lake Garda is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Lake Garda is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. 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 Bilbao different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bilbao is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Lake Garda. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

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 Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Lake Garda for the nightlife scene. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

Is Bilbao or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Lake Garda for it's beautiful beaches. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Bilbao or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a popular place for its old town. However, Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Bilbao or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Lake Garda. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Lake Garda?

Bilbao is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Bilbao is well-known for its shopping. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda to go shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Bilbao or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is an amazing lake 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, Lake Garda is very family-friendly. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

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 Lake Garda Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Lake Garda frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

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 Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bilbao and Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

Is Bilbao or Lake Garda Better for Students?

Bilbao is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is not popular with students.

Is Bilbao or Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

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 Lake Garda. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

Is Bilbao or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is a very walkable lake. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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 Lake Garda Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Bilbao or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lake Garda due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bilbao, and 2-4 days is enough time in Lake Garda.

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

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

One day in Bilbao or Lake Garda?

With museums and nightlife around the colorful city of Bilbao, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Lake Garda. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bilbao or Lake Garda?

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Bilbao, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

Bilbao, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda?

Bilbao is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun destination of Lake Garda. This lake 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda is more expensive. And not only is Bilbao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Bilbao or Lake Garda?

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 Bilbao or Lake Garda in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Lake Garda. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bilbao is cooler than Lake Garda in the summer. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lake Garda. In the summer, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Lake Garda. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Bilbao usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In October, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bilbao or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda and Bilbao during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the winter for the museums and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lake Garda can be very cold during winter. In January, Bilbao is generally much warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 9°C (48°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Lake Garda. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Lake Garda. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Bilbao is around the same temperature as Lake Garda in the spring. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Bilbao