A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bilbao vs. Milan for Nightlife, Old Town, Attractions, and Couples

Should you visit Bilbao or Milan?

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 Milan. 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 friendly, industrial, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Milan

Milan is a trendy, chic, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Bilbao and Milan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Milan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Milan than Bilbao, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bilbao is popular for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. Milan is popular for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. It is also home to Piazza del Duomo.

How is Bilbao different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Bilbao and Milan.

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.

Milan offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

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

Milan is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eat your way through Milan, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

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 Milan Better for Nightlife?

Milan 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.

Milan has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

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 Milan Better for Music?

Milan 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 Milan The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Bilbao is not a live music destination.

Is Bilbao or Milan Better for its Old Town?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for its old town. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Milan offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Bilbao has an old town worth visiting. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Milan?

Milan 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 Milan make it a world-class shopping destination. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

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 Milan Better for Families?

Both Bilbao and Milan are good 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.

Milan offers lots of family activities. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Bilbao or Milan Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Milan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

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 Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Milan is a great city to visit for backpackers. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

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 Bilbao or Milan Better for Students?

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

Milan is a very popular place to visit for students. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

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 Milan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Milan 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 Milan is top-notch. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

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 Milan a more walkable city?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Milan on foot is easy. In particular, the city center is 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 Milan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Milan or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Milan?

In either Bilbao or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Milan than Bilbao because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bilbao, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.

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

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

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

One day in Bilbao or Milan?

In Bilbao, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this industrial destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Milan is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bilbao or Milan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bilbao. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Milan 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 Milan?

Bilbao is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bilbao. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milan. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Milan?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the colorful destination of Bilbao. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the trendy big city of Milan. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Milan?

Milan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Milan, 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 Milan?

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 Milan in the Summer?

Both Milan and Bilbao during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Milan because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bilbao is cooler than Milan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bilbao in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Milan averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Milan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Milan. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun.

Bilbao usually gets less rain in July than Milan. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Milan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Milan. The autumn months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Milan this time of year.

In October, Bilbao is generally a little warmer than Milan. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 16°C (62°F), and Milan fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Milan during autumn. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Milan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Milan. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bilbao or Milan in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Milan. Bilbao is much warmer than Milan in the winter. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Milan fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Milan. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bilbao usually gets more rain in January than Milan. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Milan in the Spring?

Both Milan and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Milan in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bilbao is around the same temperature as Milan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bilbao in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Milan averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Milan during spring. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In April, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Milan. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Milan and Bilbao