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

Should you visit Bucharest or Bilbao?

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 Bucharest and Bilbao. 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.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a undiscovered, cultural, and charming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a colorful, friendly, and industrial city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bucharest and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Bilbao?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bilbao than Bucharest. While Bucharest is larger than Bilbao, Bilbao has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bilbao is better known for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Bucharest is more popular for its food. Bilbao is more touristy than Bucharest and is known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. Also, Bilbao is famous for The Guggenheim Museum. Bucharest is well known for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

How is Bucharest different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bilbao is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bucharest. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

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

Bucharest 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 Bucharest. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

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 Bucharest or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Bucharest has a few options to choose from. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

Is Bucharest or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the notable old town areas in both Bucharest and Bilbao.

Many people head to Bucharest to see the old town. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

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 Bucharest or Bilbao?

Bilbao is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

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.

Bucharest has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Is Bucharest or Bilbao Better for Families?

Bilbao is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bilbao. 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.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Bilbao is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

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.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bucharest and Bilbao are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

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 Bucharest or Bilbao Better for Students?

Bilbao is a good destination for students. However, Bucharest 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.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Bucharest and Bilbao.

The public transit in Bucharest can get you around easily. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Bilbao offers a very effecient public transportation network. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Bucharest or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Bucharest and Bilbao both are notable when exploring on foot.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable place. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

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 Bucharest Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Bilbao?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bilbao than Bucharest 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 Bilbao.

One day in Bucharest or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bucharest. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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.

A weekend in Bucharest or Bilbao?

Bucharest 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic 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.

Five days in Bucharest or Bilbao?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the colorful city of Bilbao. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bucharest or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Bucharest. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

When comparing the travel costs between Bucharest 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. 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Bilbao?

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bucharest or Bilbao in the Summer?

Both Bilbao and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

Bucharest is a little warmer than Bilbao in the summer. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bucharest. Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bucharest or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Bucharest during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Bucharest is cooler than Bilbao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bucharest in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Bilbao averages at about 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Bilbao. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Bilbao in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Bilbao. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the winter for the museums and the shopping scene.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bucharest. In January, Bucharest is generally much colder than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around -1°C (29°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bucharest or Bilbao in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Bilbao. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Bilbao for the activities around the city during these months.

Bucharest is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the spring. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Bucharest