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

Should you visit Bonn or Bilbao?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bonn or Bilbao? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bonn

Bonn is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and lively city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Bonn travel costs.

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.

Bonn and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bonn or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bilbao. Although Bonn and Bilbao are roughly the same size, Bilbao has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bilbao is very popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Bonn attracts visitors for its historical sights and quaint atmosphere. Bonn is famous for its many museums, cultural venues, and university atmosphere, as well as being the birthplace of Beethoven. 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 Bonn different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bilbao and Bonn. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bonn or Bilbao?

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Bonn or Bilbao.

Bonn offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Some of the most popular museums include Haus der Geschichte (history), Beethoven's House, and Kunstmuseum Bonn (art). For architecture check out the Old Town Hall and Bonn Minster. Other landmarks include Poppelsdorf Palace and Schloss Drachenburg.

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.

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

Bilbao is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Bilbao is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bonn. Like much of the food in Germany, you'll find local dishes are hearty and filling. Potatoes and meats are popular ingredients, as are milk, butter, and vegetables. For local flavors try the Rhenish Sauerbraten (veal stew), Reibekuchen (German pancakes), or Christmas Sausages.

Is Bonn or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is a great city for nightlife. Also, Bonn is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Bilbao has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bonn. There are bars and nightclubs around town but even more popular are the cultural events that the city hosts. If nightlife is important to you, try to visit during one of the festivals around town.

Is Bonn or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bonn 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 Bonn. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming shops. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

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 Bonn or Bilbao?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bonn and Bilbao both offer plenty of superb spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bonn. A mix of local shops and major chains make shopping fun and easy. Whether you're interested in souvenir gifts or a new outfit, there are countless stores around town.

Bilbao is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Bonn or Bilbao Better for Families?

Bonn is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Bonn is very family-friendly. Just outside of the town is the Haribo factory outlet store where you can pick up a number of sweet treats and spend some time exploring with the kids. Another favorite activity for the whole family is a trip to nearby Phantasialand. This is one of the best amusement parks in Germany and it has many rides for teens and younger kids alike. In town, you'll find playgrounds and kid-friendly museums. Kids will also love a visit to Schloss Drachenburg Castle.

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 Bonn or Bilbao Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bonn and Bilbao make for a nice place to visit.

Bonn is a nice destination for couples. Churches, architecture, and botanical gardens all make this a great couples destination. You can take a cruise down the Rhein or enjoy a meal at one of the best restaurants.

Bilbao makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Bonn or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Bonn and Bilbao are nice places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bonn. Many backpackers skip this town, so its a good option for travelers who want to get off the beaten backpacker trail. There are affordable hotels and hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can pick up something cheap to eat.

Bilbao is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Bonn or Bilbao Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Bonn. The city has a very international vibe and you'll likely run into people speaking English around town. Job opportunities in the area are good and there are schools that attract students from around the globe.

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

Bonn and Bilbao both offer superb public transit to get you around.

Visitors to Bonn can move around easily with public transportation. There is a light rail system that includes 9 lines and 64 stations. There are also buses around town. Bonn is connected to the region by convenient commuter trains so it's possible to visit as a day trip.

The public transit in Bilbao can get you around easily. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Bonn or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Bonn 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.

Bonn is a very walkable city. The compact old town is easy 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 Bonn Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Bonn?

How long in Bonn or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bonn and Bilbao. In our opinion, Bonn has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bonn than Bilbao. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bonn, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

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

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

One day in Bonn or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bonn. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bilbao. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bonn or Bilbao?

Bonn 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.

Bilbao is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bonn or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bonn. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Bilbao. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bonn or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Bonn. This city 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.

The colorful city of Bilbao offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Germany, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Bonn and Bilbao, we can see that Bonn 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 Bonn Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bonn or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Bonn and Bilbao, 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 Bonn or Bilbao?

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 Bonn or Bilbao in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Bilbao. Most visitors come to Bonn for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bonn is around the same temperature as Bilbao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bonn in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Bilbao averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In the summer, Bonn often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Bonn usually gets more rain in July than Bilbao. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Bonn because of the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In October, Bonn is generally cooler than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 12°C (53°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In October, Bonn usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bonn or Bilbao in the Winter?

Both Bilbao and Bonn during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bonn this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Bonn in the winter. Bonn is much colder than Bilbao in the winter. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Bilbao. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bonn usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bonn or Bilbao in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Bilbao. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bonn is cooler than Bilbao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bonn in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Bilbao averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Bonn usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bonn usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Bonn