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

Should you visit Brisbane or Bilbao?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Bilbao can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a relaxed, diverse, and cultural coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a friendly, industrial, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Brisbane and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brisbane than Bilbao, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Brisbane is more popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Bilbao is known for its historical sights. Brisbane is popular for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. It is also home to the Cultural Centre. Bilbao is popular for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Brisbane different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Bilbao and Brisbane.

Many visitors head to Brisbane specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bilbao can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Brisbane or Bilbao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Brisbane is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Brisbane. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

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 Brisbane or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Brisbane and Bilbao.

Many people head to Brisbane for the nightlife scene. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

Bilbao has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Brisbane or Bilbao Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Bilbao Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Brisbane for it's beautiful beaches. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Brisbane or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

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.

Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Is Brisbane or Bilbao Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Brisbane offers some nice hiking trails. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or Bilbao?

If you're looking to go shopping, Brisbane and Bilbao both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Brisbane. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Bilbao is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Brisbane or Bilbao Better for Families?

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

Brisbane is a very kid-friendly coastal city. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

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 Brisbane or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Both Brisbane and Bilbao are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Brisbane is a good coastal city for couples to visit. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Bilbao is a nice destination for couples. 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 Brisbane or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Brisbane is a great coastal city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

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 Brisbane or Bilbao Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Brisbane. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

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

Bilbao is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its public transit.

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

Brisbane has a few public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Brisbane or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Brisbane 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.

Brisbane is a very walkable coastal city. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable coastal city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Brisbane Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Bilbao?

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

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

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

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

One day in Brisbane or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Brisbane. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Bilbao offers nightlife and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Brisbane or Bilbao?

Brisbane 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bilbao, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brisbane or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brisbane. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

Bilbao is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Brisbane or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active destination of Brisbane. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bilbao is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

When comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Bilbao, 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 Brisbane is in Pacific and Bilbao is in Europe, 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 Brisbane Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Bilbao?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Bilbao in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Bilbao. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In January, Brisbane is generally a little warmer than Bilbaoin July. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 25°C (77°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the summer, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Bilbaoin July. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Brisbane usually gets more rain in January than Bilbaoin July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Brisbane is a little warmer than Bilbao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Brisbane gets 214 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. It's quite rainy in Brisbane. In April, Brisbane usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bilbaoin October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brisbane or Bilbao in the Winter?

Both Bilbao and Brisbane during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In the winter, Brisbane is much warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brisbane in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Bilbao averages at about 9°C (48°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the winter, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Bilbaoin January. Brisbane gets 226 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. Brisbane usually gets less rain in July than Bilbaoin January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Bilbao in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Bilbao. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the activities around the city.

In October, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Bilbaoin April. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 21°C (69°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Brisbane gets 259 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 October, Brisbane usually receives less rain than Bilbaoin April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Brisbane