A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Granada vs. Bilbao for Attractions, Old Town, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Granada or Bilbao?

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

Should I visit Granada 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.

Granada

Granada is a charming, cultural, and historic city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a authentic, colorful, and friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Granada and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Bilbao?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Granada than Bilbao. While Bilbao is larger than Granada, Granada has more sights and attractions for tourists. Granada is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bilbao attracts visitors for its shopping and big city activities. Granada is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. It is also well known for The Alhambra. Bilbao is famous for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Granada different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Granada is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Granada are among the most recognizable in the world. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

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.

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

Granada 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 Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

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 Granada or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Both Granada and Bilbao have superb vibes after the sun sets.

Granada has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

The people in Bilbao know how to have a good time. 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 Granada or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Granada is an amazing city to visit for its old town. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Granada offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

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 Granada or Bilbao Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Granada. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Bilbao?

Bilbao is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Granada offers some nice shopping areas. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Is Granada or Bilbao Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Granada or Bilbao.

Granada is a family-friendly city. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

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.

Is Granada or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Granada is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Granada frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

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

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

Granada is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet other 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.

Is Granada or Bilbao Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Granada. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

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

Bilbao is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Bilbao is fairly effecient and thorough. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

You'll find some public transit in Granada, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

Is Granada or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Granada 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.

Granada is a very walkable city. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

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 Granada Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Granada?

How long in Granada or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Granada and Bilbao. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Granada than in Bilbao. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Granada, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

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

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

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

One day in Granada or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Granada. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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 Granada or Bilbao?

Granada is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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 Granada or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Granada. Don't miss the museums, 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 Granada or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Granada. This 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.

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

Which is Bigger, Granada or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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 Granada or Bilbao?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Granada or Bilbao in the Summer?

Both Bilbao and Granada during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Granada for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Granada is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Bilbao averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Granada. In the summer, Granada often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in July than Bilbao. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Bilbao in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Bilbao. The autumn months attract visitors to Granada because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In October, Granada is generally a little warmer than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 19°C (67°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Granada or Bilbao in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Granada as well as Bilbao. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene.

Granada is a little warmer than Bilbao in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Granada usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Bilbao in the Spring?

Both Bilbao and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Granada for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Granada is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Bilbao averages at about 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Granada