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

Should you visit Bilbao or Sibenik?

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 Sibenik. 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 authentic, colorful, and friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Sibenik

Sibenik is a authentic, local, and undiscovered town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Bilbao and Sibenik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Sibenik?

Both Sibenik and Bilbao have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Bilbao is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Sibenik attracts visitors for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Bilbao is famous for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. Sibenik is famous for its photogenic beaches, charming old town, and surrounding natural beauty.

How is Bilbao different from Sibenik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Bilbao and Sibenik.

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.

Sibenik offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Despite being skipped by many international tourists, the town has a number of historical landmarks such as Sibenik Cathedral, St. Michael's Fortress, and the fascinating the Dalmatian Ethno Village.

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

Sibenik is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Sibenik. The restaurants are local and delicious. The old town has cafes that spill into the squares, so dining is a truly delightful experience. This is a hidden gem on the Adriatic.

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 Sibenik Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Sibenik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Bilbao has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Sibenik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. During the summer months you'll find people filling the terraces and squares at night. There are also a number of festivals in and near town. If you're looking for nightlife, it's best to visit during one of these festivals.

Is Bilbao or Sibenik Better for Resorts?

Sibenik is a good destination for its resorts. However, Bilbao is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Sibenik makes a nice vacation spot. The town has gained popularity in recent years and its become a popular summer resort destination for Europeans.

Bilbao is not a resort destination.

Is Bilbao or Sibenik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sibenik is a town with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Sibenik has a few snorkeling spots. There aren't as many snorkeling trips leaving from this town as other, more popular beach destinations in Croatia.

Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bilbao or Sibenik Better for Beaches?

Sibenik is well known for the beache. However, Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Sibenik for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are less crowded than those in the more popular nearby cities, but they are gaining popularity. In town, Banj Beach is a pebbly beach that is easy to access. Nearby Jadrija Beach is considered to be one of the most photogenic in the area and St. Nicholas Beach is one of the more remote.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Bilbao or Sibenik Better for its Old Town?

Sibenik is well known for its old town. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Sibenik. The charming old town is car-free and filled with quaint streets and lovely cafes.

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 Sibenik?

Bilbao is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Sibenik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Sibenik offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find some local shops selling interesting trinkets and souvenirs.

Is Bilbao or Sibenik Better for Families?

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

Sibenik is a very kid-friendly town. It has grown into a popular summer resort destination. There are many outdoor activities in the area including kayaking, swimming, and boating. You should also take a day trip to Krka National Park to see the waterfalls. There are also some good beaches where families can hang out.

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 Sibenik Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Sibenik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The town is charming and filled with historic sights. There are also beaches and adventure sports for those looking for an adrenaline-filled vacation.

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 Sibenik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Sibenik is a great town to visit for backpackers. The town has a large number of hostels to choose from, making this an easy and convenient stop off for backpackers and budget travelers.

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 Sibenik Better for Students?

Bilbao is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Sibenik is not popular with students.

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

Sibenik is not popular with students.

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

Bilbao is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Sibenik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find some public transit in Sibenik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a public bus system that can help you get around the area.

Is Bilbao or Sibenik a more walkable city?

Sibenik is an amazing town 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 Sibenik on foot is easy. The old town is car-free and easily explored on foot.

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 Sibenik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sibenik or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Sibenik?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bilbao and Sibenik. In our opinion, Sibenik has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Sibenik than Bilbao. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Bilbao or Sibenik?

In Bilbao, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Sibenik. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bilbao or Sibenik?

In Bilbao, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bilbao has to offer.

Sibenik 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 Sibenik?

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 Sibenik. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Sibenik?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bilbao. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bilbao. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Sibenik. This town 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Sibenik?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Sibenik. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Sibenik, 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 Sibenik?

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 Sibenik in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Sibenik. The summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sibenik this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sibenik. In the summer, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Sibenik. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sibenik receives 345 hours of full sun.

Bilbao usually gets more rain in July than Sibenik. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Sibenik in the Autumn?

Both Sibenik and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sibenik for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Bilbao is around the same temperature as Sibenik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 16°C (62°F) in October, and Sibenik fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Sibenik. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Sibenik during autumn. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies, while Sibenik receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In October, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Sibenik. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bilbao or Sibenik in the Winter?

Both Sibenik and Bilbao during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sibenik in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Bilbao is around the same temperature as Sibenik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bilbao in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Sibenik averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Sibenik. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sibenik receives 128 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in January than Sibenik. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Sibenik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Sibenik. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sibenik for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Bilbao is generally cooler than Sibenik. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 12°C (54°F), and Sibenik fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sibenik this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Sibenik during spring. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Sibenik receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Sibenik. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sibenik and Bilbao