A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bilbao vs. Podgorica for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bilbao or Podgorica?

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 Podgorica. 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.

Where Should I go: Bilbao or Podgorica?

Bilbao

The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.

Podgorica

Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Podgorica or Bilbao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is €137, while the average daily cost in Podgorica is €105. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bilbao and Podgorica in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bilbao 72
    Podgorica 46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bilbao 144
    Podgorica 92
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and Podgorica

Looking for a hotel in Bilbao or Podgorica? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Bilbao


Hotels in Podgorica


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Bilbao Hotel Prices and Podgorica Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bilbao 26
    Podgorica 20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:

  • Private One way Airport Transfer Bilbao Airport to from Bilbao: $33
  • Private transfer from Bilbao City Center to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $33
  • Private transfer from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao City Center: $33
  • Bilbao Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Various Cities : $45
  • Departure Private Transfers: Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $60
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
  • Departure Private Transfers: Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
  • Private one way arrival OR departure transfer in Bilbao from/to airport: $67
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Car: $70
  • Private Transfer on arrival and departure in Bilbao: $72

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:

  • Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
  • Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $94
  • Budva to Podgorica one way transfer: $118
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to/from Virpazar: $57
  • Podgorica airport: Private Transfer to/from Budva: $75
  • Private Transfer to Budva: $39
  • Private transfer to Kotor: $53
  • Private transfer to Tivat: $53
  • Private Airport Transfer from Podgorica airport to Budva: $68
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Lustica: $262
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Petrovac : $58
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Tivat downtown: $117

Is it cheaper to fly into Bilbao or Podgorica?

Prices for flights to both Podgorica and Bilbao change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bilbao 45
    Podgorica 41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.

  • Basque Food Tour with Guide: $86
  • The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $102
  • Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $109
  • Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class with Open Bar: $112
  • The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairing: $115
  • Basque Flavours: High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $120
  • Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $134
  • Private Food Tour, Food Lovers with Tastings: $134
  • Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $142
  • Traditional Basque Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $155
  • Guggenheim Museum Visit & Private Walking Food Tour: $197

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bilbao 29
    Podgorica 21

Tours and Activities in Bilbao

Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bilbao Cathedral and San Anton Church Entry Ticket: $4.28
  • Bilbao Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: $7.48
  • VITORIA DE LEGEND night tour: $11
  • Bilbao Confidential Tour: Industrialists and Bourgeois: $13
  • 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour: $15
  • Tour of the Great Villas in Getxo and Hanging Bridge: $16
  • Bilbao tour: $17
  • San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour: $18
  • Bilbao Estuary and Abra Bay Boat Tour: $20
  • Bilbao Historical Small Group Tour : $28
  • Walking tour of Bilbao with pintxo and drink: $31
  • Private Kayak Tour along the Getxo Coast and Hanging Bridge: $34

Tours and Activities in Podgorica

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:

  • Skip The Line: National Park Skadar Lake - Tickets: $8.17
  • Skadar lake - Falcon kayak tour: $13
  • Lake Skadar: Guided Sightseeing Boat Tour with Refreshments: $16
  • Two Hours Sightseeing Lake Cruise at Montenegro National Park: $16
  • Podgorica City Walking Tour: $22
  • Lake Skadar: Guided Panoramic Boat Tour to Kom Monastery : $22
  • Lake Skadar: Early-morning Birdwatching and Photography Tour: $27
  • From Virpazar: Guided Lake Skadar cruise and Crnojevića River: $33
  • Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
  • Book Your Donkey Farm Tour: $57
  • Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $65
  • Cultural Bike Tour of Podgorica;Discovering the Ancient Treasures: $71

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bilbao 21
    Podgorica 20

Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao

Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Bilbao: $25
  • Immersive Evening Spanish Wine Tasting w/ Sommelier: $53
  • Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier (close to Guggenheim museum): $54
  • Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $79
  • Txakoli, Gaztelugatxe, & Urdaibai with wine tasting: $80
  • Guided tour of Txakoli wine tasting and tasting of wine and typical products: $148
  • Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $176
  • Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $187
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Vitoria: $240
  • From Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour: $241
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $246
  • Architectural Rioja Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch from Bilbao : $246

Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:

  • Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
  • Book Your Wine Tour: $77
  • Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $93
  • Podgorica Car Trip, Doclea city, Wine tasting, Niagara falls: $106
  • Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $120
  • Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $128
  • Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $196


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Podgorica, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Podgorica much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Podgorica would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Podgorica 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao than you might in Podgorica.

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


Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Podgorica?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Podgorica, 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 Podgorica?

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 Podgorica in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Podgorica. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bilbao is generally cooler than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 20°C (68°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Podgorica this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Podgorica. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bilbao 20°C (68°F) 
    Podgorica 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Bilbao or Podgorica in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Podgorica. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Bilbao is around the same temperature as Podgorica in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 16°C (62°F) in October, and Podgorica fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. In the autumn, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 203 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Podgorica. Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bilbao usually gets less rain in October than Podgorica. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bilbao 16°C (62°F) 
    Podgorica 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Bilbao or Podgorica in the Winter?

Both Podgorica and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the museums and the shopping scene.

In the winter, Bilbao is much warmer than Podgorica. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bilbao in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Podgorica averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In January, Bilbao usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bilbao 9°C (48°F) 
    Podgorica 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Bilbao or Podgorica in the Spring?

Both Podgorica and Bilbao during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In April, Bilbao is generally cooler than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 12°C (54°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 194 hours of full sun.

Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets less rain in April than Podgorica. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bilbao 12°C (54°F) 
    Podgorica 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Podgorica and Bilbao

Bilbao Podgorica
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Mar 11°C (51°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 159 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 51 mm (2 in) 26°C (80°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in) 22°C (72°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Oct 16°C (62°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 152 mm (6 in) 11°C (53°F) 239 mm (9.4 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)