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

Should you visit Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a lively, charming, and scenic town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a friendly, industrial, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Heidelberg and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bilbao than Heidelberg, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bilbao is more popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Heidelberg is known for its food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Bilbao is popular for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. It is also home to The Guggenheim Museum.

How is Heidelberg different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bilbao is a great city for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Heidelberg is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Heidelberg. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

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 Heidelberg or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find excellent options in both Heidelberg and Bilbao.

The nightlife in Heidelberg has something for everybody. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Bilbao offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Heidelberg or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

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

Heidelberg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

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 Heidelberg or Bilbao?

Bilbao is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Heidelberg or Bilbao Better for Families?

Both Heidelberg and Bilbao are good family-friendly destinations.

Heidelberg offers lots of family activities. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Bilbao is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Heidelberg or Bilbao Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Heidelberg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

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

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

Heidelberg is a great town to visit for backpackers. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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 Heidelberg or Bilbao Better for Students?

For students, both Heidelberg and Bilbao are good places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Heidelberg. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Bilbao is a good town to visit for students. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

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

Heidelberg and Bilbao both offer excellent public transit to get you around.

Heidelberg offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bilbao. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Heidelberg or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is a very walkable town. The old town is particularly walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Bilbao?

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

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

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

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

One day in Heidelberg or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With museums and nightlife around the authentic city of Bilbao, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Bilbao?

Heidelberg 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.

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Bilbao, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Heidelberg or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Heidelberg or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the lively destination of Heidelberg. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bilbao is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg or Bilbao in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Bilbao. The summer months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In July, Heidelberg is generally around the same temperature as Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 21°C (69°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heidelberg this time of the year. In the summer, Heidelberg often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in July than Bilbao. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In October, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Bilbao in the Winter?

Both Bilbao and Heidelberg during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bilbao in the winter for the museums and the shopping scene.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Heidelberg. In the winter, Heidelberg is much colder than Bilbao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heidelberg in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Bilbao averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Bilbao. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Heidelberg usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Bilbao in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Bilbao. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bilbao for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Heidelberg is generally around the same temperature as Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 11°C (52°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Heidelberg usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Heidelberg