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

Should you visit Bilbao or Orlando?

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 Orlando. 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Bilbao travel costs.

Orlando

Orlando is a entertaining, active, and family-friendly city. And you can't forget about the shopping, theater, and nightlife. See Orlando travel costs.

Bilbao and Orlando: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Orlando?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bilbao than Orlando. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bilbao is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Orlando attracts visitors for its theatre productions and resorts. Orlando is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. 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 Orlando?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bilbao is great for its historical sights. However, Orlando does not have 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.

Orlando does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Bilbao or Orlando Better for Theater?

Orlando is a good destination for its theatre productions. However, Bilbao is not a theatre destination.

With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in Orlando. The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.

Bilbao is not a theatre destination.

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

Bilbao is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Bilbao is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Orlando. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.

Is Bilbao or Orlando Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is great for nightlife. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Orlando. If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.

Is Bilbao or Orlando Better for Resorts?

Orlando is an amazing city to visit for its resorts. However, Bilbao is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Orlando for its luxury resorts. Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.

Bilbao is not a resort destination.

Is Bilbao or Orlando Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Orlando does not have a historic old town.

Bilbao is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Orlando does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Orlando?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Orlando 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 Orlando. Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.

Is Bilbao or Orlando Better for Families?

Orlando 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, Orlando is very family-friendly. Known as a theme park capital, here you'll find the iconic Disney World, as well as Universal Studios, SeaWorld and many more. While most people spend their vacation at the Disney or Universal resorts, there is also an endless supply of less mainstream parks and activities in the 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 Orlando Better for Couples?

Bilbao and Orlando both nice 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.

Orlando is a good city for couples to visit. While most people visit the area with family, there is a niche crowd that enjoys honeymooning or vacationing here as a couple. There are many beautiful restaurants and interesting activities that couples can enjoy together. This is the perfect trip for fun loving couples who don't take themselves to seriously.

Is Bilbao or Orlando Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bilbao is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Orlando is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Orlando is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not exactly a backpacker destination, but there are a surprising number of cheap motels that aren't affiliated with the major parks.

Is Bilbao or Orlando Better for Students?

Bilbao and Orlando are nice places to visit for students.

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

It's common for students to visit Orlando. Most people don't think about education when they think about Orlando, but there are actually a diversity of internships and opportunities for students to learn in a fun setting.

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

Bilbao is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bilbao. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Public transit is generally limited in Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.

Is Bilbao or Orlando a more walkable city?

Bilbao is a popular place for its walkability. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

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

Orlando is not a walkable city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Orlando or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Orlando?

Both Bilbao and Orlando have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Orlando than in Bilbao. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bilbao, and 7 days is enough time in Orlando.

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

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

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

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.

Many travelers enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the destination of Orlando. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bilbao or Orlando?

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.

Orlando 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 Orlando?

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 Orlando. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Orlando?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and theater when visiting the active destination of Orlando. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Orlando?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Orlando. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Orlando, 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 Orlando?

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 Orlando in the Summer?

Both Orlando and Bilbao during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Orlando for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bilbao is generally cooler than Orlando. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 20°C (68°F), and Orlando fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

Orlando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bilbao usually gets less rain in July than Orlando. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Orlando receives 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Orlando in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Orlando. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Orlando in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Bilbao is cooler than Orlando in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 16°C (62°F) in October, and Orlando fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

Orlando receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bilbao usually receives around the same amount of rain as Orlando. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Orlando receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bilbao or Orlando in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Orlando. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Orlando for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Bilbao is much colder than Orlando. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bilbao in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Orlando averages at about 59°F (15°C).

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bilbao usually gets more rain in January than Orlando. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Orlando receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Orlando in the Spring?

Both Orlando and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Bilbao is generally much colder than Orlando. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 12°C (54°F), and Orlando fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In April, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Orlando. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Orlando receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Orlando and Bilbao