A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bilbao vs. Plitvice Lakes National Park for Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park. 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 nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a scenic, world-famous, and spectacular national park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking.

Bilbao and Plitvice Lakes National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bilbao. Although Bilbao and Plitvice Lakes National Park are popular destinations, Bilbao has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bilbao is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Plitvice Lakes National Park attracts visitors for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Plitvice Lakes National Park is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its stunning natural scenery which includes 16 beautiful terraced lakes. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Bilbao is great for its historical sights. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Bilbao specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a national park with a few options for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll find a few tourist cafes near the lakes that serve grilled meats and other simple dishes. You can also grab a snack from the food stalls that are near the entrance to the park.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is great for nightlife. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is very good for its historic old town. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Hiking?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are eight different walking routes that range in length from 3 kilometers to 18 kilometers. They take between 3 and 8 hours and are well marked.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Bilbao is great for shopping. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Families?

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

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very kid-friendly national park. It's a fun place to explore with kids, but if you're traveling with young ones, keep a close eye on them. Also take note that it's not stroller-friendly and make sure that you arrive early to avoid the crowds.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Couples?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Plitvice Lakes National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a natural wonder that is beautiful and romantic to explore as a couple. It can get crowded, as it's a top tourist destination is Croatia, so make sure you arrive early to avoid the peak times.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is well known for backpackers. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a great national park to visit for backpackers. There are three hotels within the park and a handful of hostels nearby. There's also some camping options in the area.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Students?

Bilbao is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not popular with students.

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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not popular with students.

Is Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park 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, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its public transit.

Visitors to Bilbao can move around easily with public transportation. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Public transit is generally limited in Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are several bus stops near the park but the bus service is infrequent and can involve long trips.

Is Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park a more walkable city?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is an amazing national park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park on foot is easy. The park is well organized into several walking routes that can be explored in a few hours.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bilbao than Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bilbao, and 1-2 days is enough time in Plitvice Lakes National Park.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park.

One day in Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

In Bilbao, you'll find museums and nightlife. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Bilbao is a fun place to experience. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll find shopping and museums around the authentic destination of Bilbao. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Plitvice Lakes National Park. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The friendly city of Bilbao offers museums and nightlife. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the world-famous destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park. This national park 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 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.

When comparing the travel costs between Bilbao and Plitvice Lakes National Park, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bilbao Expensive? and Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Bilbao during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bilbao is generally cooler than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 20°C (68°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In Plitvice Lakes National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 266 hours of full sun.

Bilbao usually gets less rain in July than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Plitvice Lakes National Park. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Bilbao is a little warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 16°C (62°F) in October, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Bilbao usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Plitvice Lakes National Park during autumn. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the cuisine.

The weather in Plitvice Lakes National Park can be very cold. In the winter, Bilbao is much warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bilbao in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Bilbao often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 54 hours of full sun.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bilbao usually gets more rain in January than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of year.

In April, Bilbao is generally around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 12°C (54°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during spring. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In April, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Bilbao