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

Should you visit Cologne or Bilbao?

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

Should I visit Cologne 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.

Cologne

Cologne is a fun, accessible, and vibrant city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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.

Cologne and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cologne or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cologne than Bilbao, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Cologne is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also home to The Cologne Cathedral. Bilbao is popular for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Cologne different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Cologne or Bilbao.

Cologne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

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 Cologne or Bilbao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cologne 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 Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

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 Cologne or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Cologne and Bilbao.

Cologne is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

Many people head to Bilbao for the nightlife scene. 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 Cologne or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the good old towns in both Cologne and Bilbao.

Cologne offers a nice historic old town area. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Bilbao is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Is the Shopping Better in Cologne or Bilbao?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bilbao and Cologne.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Cologne. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

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

Is Cologne or Bilbao Better for Christmas?

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas activities. However, Bilbao does not offer Christmas activities.

During Christmas, Cologne is not to be missed. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Bilbao does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cologne or Bilbao Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Bilbao does not offer Christmas markets.

The holiday season is a very popular time to visit Cologne because of the beautiful Christmas markets. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Bilbao does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cologne or Bilbao Better for Families?

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

Cologne is a very kid-friendly city. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

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 Cologne or Bilbao Better for Couples?

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

Cologne is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

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 Cologne or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cologne and Bilbao are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cologne. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

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 Cologne or Bilbao Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Cologne. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

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

Cologne is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Cologne is top-notch. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

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

Is Cologne or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Cologne 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.

Cologne is a very walkable city. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily 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 Cologne Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Cologne?

How long in Cologne or Bilbao?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cologne or Bilbao?

Cologne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Cologne or Bilbao?

Cologne 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.

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 Cologne or Bilbao?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun big city of Cologne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cologne and Bilbao, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Bilbao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bilbao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bilbao and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne than you might in Bilbao.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cologne Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cologne or Bilbao?

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

Both Bilbao and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cologne for 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, Cologne is generally around the same temperature as Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 19°C (66°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Cologne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao during summer. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cologne usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cologne or Bilbao in the Autumn?

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

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

In the autumn, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Bilbao. Cologne gets 104 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. Cologne usually gets less rain in October than Bilbao. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cologne or Bilbao in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Cologne in the winter. In the winter, Cologne is much colder than Bilbao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cologne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Bilbao averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Cologne gets 43 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, Cologne usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cologne or Bilbao in the Spring?

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

In April, Cologne is generally cooler than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 10°C (50°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Cologne often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Cologne usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Cologne