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

Should you visit Calais or Bilbao?

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

Should I visit Calais 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.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a colorful, friendly, and industrial city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Calais and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bilbao than Calais, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bilbao is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Calais is known for its food and beaches. Bilbao is more touristy than Calais and is known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. It is also home to The Guggenheim Museum. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Calais different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Calais 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 Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

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 Calais or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Calais or Bilbao Better for Beaches?

Calais is a good destination for the beache. However, Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Calais offers a nice beach destination. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Calais or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Bilbao offers a nice historic old town area. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Bilbao?

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

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Calais or Bilbao Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Calais or Bilbao.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

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 Calais or Bilbao Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Calais and Bilbao make for a good place to visit.

Calais is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

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 Calais or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bilbao is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Calais or Bilbao Better for Students?

Bilbao is a popular place for students. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

Bilbao is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Calais or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Calais and Bilbao both are good when exploring on foot.

Calais is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Calais?

How long in Calais or Bilbao?

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

Couples should spend more time in Bilbao than Calais. 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 Calais 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 Calais or Bilbao?

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Bilbao. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Calais or Bilbao?

Calais 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 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 Calais or Bilbao?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bilbao. 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 Calais or Bilbao?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Bilbao. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Calais or Bilbao?

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

Both Bilbao and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and 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 July, Calais is generally cooler than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 17°C (63°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. Calais usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during summer. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Calais usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Calais or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Calais during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

Calais is cooler than Bilbao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Calais often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao. Calais gets 119 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. Calais usually gets less rain in October than Bilbao. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Bilbao in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Bilbao. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. In the winter, Calais is much colder than Bilbao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Calais in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Bilbao averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Calais gets 57 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, Calais usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Calais or Bilbao in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Calais as well as Bilbao. Many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Calais is generally cooler than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 9°C (47°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Calais often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Calais usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Calais