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

Should you visit Bilbao or Vancouver?

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 Vancouver. 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.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a scenic, diverse, and friendly city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of Vancouver is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping. See Vancouver travel costs.

Bilbao and Vancouver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Vancouver?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Vancouver than Bilbao. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Vancouver is very popular for its museums and attractions, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bilbao attracts visitors for its food and historical sights. Vancouver is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its beautiful setting, sweeping views, and welcoming atmosphere. It is also well known for Stanley Park. Bilbao is famous for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Bilbao different from Vancouver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Vancouver 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 Vancouver are among the most recognizable in the world. There are tons of museums and sights around town such as the Vancouver Aquarium, the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, and Science World. Also make sure you take a walk over the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

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 Vancouver? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bilbao is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Vancouver is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Vancouver. You'll find diverse restaurants and fresh ingredients. Local seafood is a staple in many restaurants so make sure you try the prawns, salmon, and even sea urchin. Asian food is also excellent around town. Sushi, Japanese hot dogs, and dim sum are all worth sampling.

Is Bilbao or Vancouver Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bilbao and Vancouver.

Bilbao is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Many people head to Vancouver for the nightlife scene. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene. Most of the activity is centered around The Granville Entertainment District in the downtown area. It runs along Granville Street between Robson Street and Davie Street. In the area you'll find a high concentration of bars and nightclubs.

Is Bilbao or Vancouver Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Vancouver 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.

Vancouver does not have a historic old town.

Is Bilbao or Vancouver Better for Hiking?

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

Vancouver is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The city is surrounded by water and mountains, making it one of the best hiking cities in the world. You don't have to go far to enjoy spectacular vistas, serene rainforests, and rugged coastline. The trails range from casual strolls to more strenuous day long hikes.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Vancouver?

Vancouver 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 Vancouver make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. You can enjoy strolling through Chinatown, hitting up a public market, or wandering around a large shopping mall.

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 Vancouver More Beautiful?

Vancouver is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Bilbao is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Vancouver is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It sits between the Pacific Ocean and high reaching mountains, so the city offers spectacular views.

Bilbao is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bilbao or Vancouver Better for Families?

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

Vancouver is a very kid-friendly city. There are great kid-friendly museums like the Science Museum, as well as outdoor markets, public parks, and easy access to the nearby nature. A visit to Grouse Mountain is a must for many families. You can see the bears, take a gondola, and see the a lumberjack show.

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 Vancouver Better for Couples?

Vancouver is an amazing city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Vancouver is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Most of the activities take advantage of the beautiful outdoor setting. You can take a carriage ride in Stanley Park or visit the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. Eat dim sum in Chinatown and then wander through the diverse neighborhood. End the day with a show at Orpheum Theater.

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 Vancouver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Vancouver is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a favorite city for backpackers who enjoy the many outdoor activities. There are also many hostels available around town.

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 Vancouver Better for Students?

Vancouver is well known for students. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Vancouver. The cities friendly personality and fun energy make it a great place to study.

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.

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

Vancouver is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Vancouver is top-notch. Public transit is efficient and comfortable. The Translink system includes buses, the SeaBus ferry, and the SkyTrain light rail system.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bilbao. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Bilbao or Vancouver a more walkable city?

Vancouver is an amazing city 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 Vancouver on foot is easy. The downtown area is very compact and fun to explore 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 Vancouver Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vancouver or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Vancouver?

In either Bilbao or Vancouver, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Vancouver than Bilbao because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bilbao, and 3-5 days is enough time in Vancouver.

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

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

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

One day in Bilbao or Vancouver?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bilbao. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vancouver 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 Vancouver?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial destination of Bilbao. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Vancouver 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 Vancouver?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Bilbao. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area 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 Vancouver. 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 Vancouver?

Bilbao is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly big city of Vancouver. 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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver.

When comparing the travel costs between Bilbao and Vancouver, 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. Even though Bilbao is in Europe and Vancouver is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?

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 Vancouver in the Summer?

Both Vancouver and Bilbao during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Vancouver this time of year.

In July, Bilbao is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 20°C (68°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Vancouver, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Vancouver. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.

Bilbao usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Vancouver. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Vancouver in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Vancouver. 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 Vancouver for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Bilbao is much warmer than Vancouver in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 16°C (62°F) in October, and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Bilbao usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vancouver during autumn. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bilbao usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bilbao or Vancouver in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Vancouver. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Vancouver in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Vancouver can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bilbao is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bilbao in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Vancouver averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Bilbao often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bilbao usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Vancouver in the Spring?

Both Vancouver and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Vancouver for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Bilbao is generally a little warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 12°C (54°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In April, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Vancouver. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Bilbao