A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bilbao vs. Rio de Janeiro for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro?

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 Rio de Janeiro. 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 colorful, friendly, and industrial city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Bilbao travel costs.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a multicultural, festive, and diverse city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of Rio de Janeiro is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Rio de Janeiro travel costs.

Bilbao and Rio de Janeiro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rio de Janeiro than Bilbao, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rio de Janeiro is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bilbao is known for its historical sights. Rio de Janeiro is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its samba dancing, sandy beaches, and Carnival. It is also home to Christ the Redeemer. Bilbao is popular for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Bilbao different from Rio de Janeiro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Rio de Janeiro are among the most recognizable in the world. Looking out over the city is the world famous landmark of Christ the Redeemer. It sits on top of Corcovado Mountain and it is a must-see destination for visitors to the city. Other sights around town include the church and monastery of São Bento, the stunning church of São Francisco da Penitência, the imperial palaces of São Cristóvão, and the baroque church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo.

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.

Is the Food Better in Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Bilbao and Rio de Janeiro can be difficult as they are each fantastic in their own way.

Eat your way through Bilbao, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

For foodies, Rio de Janeiro is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The cuisine around town mixes African and European cooking styles to give it a unique taste. The city is a mix of cultures and flavors and you'll find restaurants that integrate traditional Brazilian dishes with international influences. You'll find a wonderful street food scene, but also fine dining, and everything in between. Some of the most popular dishes include feijoada (beef and bean stew), churrasco (Brazilian barbecue), and pão de queijo (baked dough and cheese).

Is Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro Better for Nightlife?

Rio de Janeiro 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.

Rio de Janeiro has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It has a world famous nightlife scene, and the most popular party neighborhood is Lapa. While the biggest crowds are on the weekends, weeknights stay busy as well. Every weekend in Lapa there's a huge street party, but there are also bars and dance clubs nearby. A more local neighborhood is Botafogo, which is a great area to grab a beer and enjoy a relaxed night out. If you want a beachside bar, check out the touristy neighborhoods of Ipanema and Copacabana.

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 Rio de Janeiro Better for Beaches?

Rio de Janeiro is an amazing city to visit for the beach. However, Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Rio de Janeiro offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The beaches have long been written about and made iconic by songs and literary works. Copacabana and Ipanema are world renowned, and the sandy stretches and vibrant waterfront promenades will not disappoint. There are plenty of recreational activities as well as a striking blue water backdrop. You'll find beach parties, waterside bars, and pickup games of football or volleyball. In addition to these iconic beaches, there are several lesser known places to visit like Joatinga and Barra da Tijuca.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Rio de Janeiro does not have a historic old town.

Bilbao offers a nice historic old town area. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Rio de Janeiro does not have a historic old town.

Is Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro Better for Hiking?

Rio de Janeiro is an amazing city to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Rio de Janeiro is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Although it is a bustling megacity, it also offers access to world class hikes. The city is filled with mountains and dramatic peaks, so many hikes take you to spectacular views of the city. There are also jungle hikes and even opportunities to see local wildlife. There's a combination of iconic trails and lesser known strolls that will let you truly absorb what this city has to offer. Some of the best hikes include Pedra Bonita, Dois Irmaos, and Pedra da Gávea.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Whatever your budget, there are options for you. There are wonderful street markets for those on a budget and grand shopping malls if you're looking for something a bit higher end. Some of the best places for shopping include Rio Sul, Barra Shopping, and SAARA Market.

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 Rio de Janeiro More Beautiful?

Rio de Janeiro is an amazing city to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Bilbao is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Rio de Janeiro is one of the main draws. The city's mountainous landscapes and striking beaches make it, arguably, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are many mountaintop views of the city as well as city hikes and iconic neighborhoods.

Bilbao is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro Better for Families?

Rio de Janeiro is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Rio de Janeiro is a very kid-friendly city. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the beaches. It's easy to spend days by the water soaking up the sun. Another must-do is a trip up Sugarloaf Mountain. The cable cars are fun and there are jungle walks and spectacular views. If you need to escape the rain or heat, spend the day at the Museum of Tomorrow.

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 Rio de Janeiro Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Rio de Janeiro frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many parks and gardens around town that are perfect for a stroll. Nature lovers will enjoy the many hikes in the area, many which go through the jungle, visit waterfalls, or offer spectacular views. And, of course, Sugarloaf Mountain is a must-see destination, as are the many beaches in the area.

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 Rio de Janeiro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rio de Janeiro is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Rio de Janeiro. Backpackers flock to the city for its wild nightlife scene and beautiful beaches. There's a huge backpacker culture here and many hostels around town that offer a social setting and plenty of activities for guests.

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 Rio de Janeiro Better for Students?

Bilbao is a city with good options for students. However, Rio de Janeiro is not popular with students.

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

Rio de Janeiro is not popular with students.

Is Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro.

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 Rio de Janeiro. The city has a subway system, MetroRio, that is relatively reliable and convenient. There are also city buses, trams, and commuter trains.

Is Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro a more walkable city?

Rio de Janeiro 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.

Rio de Janeiro is a very walkable city. Most of the areas where tourists spend their time are relatively walkable. Centro is compact and many tourists choose to explore areas on foot. As always, remember to take the appropriate safety precautions and always be aware of your surroundings.

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 Rio de Janeiro Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rio de Janeiro or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro?

Bilbao and Rio de Janeiro both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Rio de Janeiro than Bilbao 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 4-6 days is enough time in Rio de Janeiro.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro.

One day in Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro?

In Bilbao, you'll find museums and nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Rio de Janeiro is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Rio de Janeiro?

Bilbao is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bilbao. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rio de Janeiro. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Rio de Janeiro?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Bilbao. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the multicultural big city of Rio de Janeiro. This city 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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao is in Europe and Rio de Janeiro is in South 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 Rio de Janeiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro.

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

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Rio de Janeiro, 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 Rio de Janeiro?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Bilbao has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rio de Janeiro because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bilbao is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bilbao in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In July, Bilbao usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Bilbao during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rio de Janeiro this time of year.

In October, Bilbao is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin April. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 16°C (62°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Rio de Janeiro 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 October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year. May to November is the dry season in Rio de Janeiro. December to April is the rainy season in Rio de Janeiro.

Should I visit Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Rio de Janeiro. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rio de Janeiro for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bilbao is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in July.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bilbao or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Rio de Janeiro. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the activities around the city. Additionally, many visitors come to Rio de Janeiro in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bilbao is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bilbao in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the spring. Bilbao usually gets more rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, May to November in Rio de Janeiro is the dry season. December to April in Rio de Janeiro is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Bilbao