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

Should you visit Catania 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 Catania and Bilbao can help you decide which place is right for you.

Catania

Catania is a youthful, fun, and historic port 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 industrial, authentic, and colorful 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.

Catania and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Catania or Bilbao?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Catania than Bilbao, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Catania is better known for its food, beaches, and hiking, while Bilbao is more popular for its museums and shopping. Catania is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. Also, Catania is famous for Mount Etna. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Catania different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bilbao is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Catania. There are many examples of beautiful architecture around town including Basilica Cattedrale Sant'Agata and Monastero dei Benedettini. You can also visit Castello Ursino. The main square in town is Piazza del Duomo.

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

Catania is an amazing port city to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eat your way through Catania, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene is excellent. Dishes are influenced by both the sea and the land, and you'll find a large and popular street food setting. If you're sampling the street food, make sure you try the arancino (rice balls). Pasta dishes are also popular and many use a variety of cheeses. You'll also find plenty of fresh vegetables incorporated into many dishes.

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 Catania or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are high quality in both Catania and Bilbao.

Catania has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has a reputation for its great nightlife scene that spreads beyond Sicily. The large student population and popularity with tourists mean you can find a party most nights of the week. There are many bars and clubs to check out, many of which are found in the old town center.

Bilbao has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Catania or Bilbao Better for Beaches?

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

Catania offers a nice beach destination. The best time to visit the beach is between April and October. There are sandy beaches to the south of town that span a few kilometers and beaches to the north tend to be rocky. Many beaches are also accessible by public transit.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Catania or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Catania and Bilbao are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

Many people head to Catania to see the old town. The old town is a bit small. At its center is Piazza Duomo and you'll find many activities and attractions in the area.

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 Catania or Bilbao Better for Hiking?

Catania is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Catania. Many people visit Mt. Etna as a day trip. You can take the bus to Sapienza Refuge to begin your climb. While it's a doable hike for many people, it can be steep and requires some determination. Unless you're a very experienced hiker, a guide is a must as the trail disappears for large sections. There are also buses and cable cars that take people up sections of the mountain.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Catania or Bilbao?

Bilbao is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Catania has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has a number of shopping malls where you can pick up anything you may need or might have forgotten. Check out Catania Shopping Center or Etnapolis.

Is Catania or Bilbao Better for Families?

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

Catania is a very kid-friendly port city. There's a toy museum as well as the Polo Tactile Multimedia Museum which kids and adults alike will enjoy. A highlight of a visit to the city is a trip up Mt. Etna, which can be done either by hiking, bus, or cable car. The city also has many plazas, gardens, and parks that kids will enjoy exploring. Another fun activity is to spend the day at the beach.

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 Catania or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Both Catania and Bilbao are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Catania makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With interesting architecture, a pleasant urban beach, and plenty of outdoor space, this is a nice couples destination.

Bilbao is a good port 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 Catania or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Catania is a great port city to visit for backpackers. There's a large number of hostels around town and the city is generally affordable, so backpackers often enjoy spending some time here. There's also a great social scene.

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 Catania or Bilbao Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Catania. This is a university town with a very social atmosphere. Students love the wide variety of activities around town as well as the frequent night time parties.

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

Both Catania and Bilbao offer high quality public transit options.

The public transit in Catania can get you around easily. There are many buses around town that offer access to most places. If you drove you can park and take Line 504M to the historic center. You can also take a bus from Piazza Giovanni XXIII to Rifugio Sapienza if you're going to Mt. Etna. It leaves every morning at 8:15 and returns at 4:30 in the afternoon. The city also has a metro, which has one line and ten stops.

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

Is Catania or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Catania 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.

Catania is a very walkable port city. Many of the city's main sights are close together in the center of town, making them easy to access on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Catania?

How long in Catania or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Catania and Bilbao. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bilbao than in Catania. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Catania, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

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

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

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

One day in Catania or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Catania. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Bilbao, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Catania or Bilbao?

Catania is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Bilbao, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bilbao has to offer.

Five days in Catania or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Catania. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Catania or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun destination of Catania. This port 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bilbao. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bilbao. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Catania or Bilbao?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Catania and Bilbao. Many visitors come to Catania in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Catania is a little warmer than Bilbao in the summer. The daily temperature in Catania averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Catania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Catania usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during summer. Catania gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Catania usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Catania gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Catania or Bilbao in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Catania as well as Bilbao. Most visitors come to Catania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Catania is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Catania in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Bilbao averages at about 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Catania often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Catania gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Catania receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Catania usually gets more rain in October than Bilbao. Catania gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Catania or Bilbao in the Winter?

Both Bilbao and Catania are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Catania 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 January, Catania is generally a little warmer than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Catania average around 10°C (51°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Catania usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Catania gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In January, Catania usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Catania gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Catania or Bilbao in the Spring?

Both Bilbao and Catania during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Catania this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the activities around the city.

Catania is a little warmer than Bilbao in the spring. The daily temperature in Catania averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Catania. In the spring, Catania often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Catania gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Catania usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Catania gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Catania