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

Should you visit Helsinki or Bilbao?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Bilbao can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a coastal, environmentally conscious, and waterfront city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a authentic, colorful, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Helsinki and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Bilbao?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bilbao than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Bilbao, Bilbao has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bilbao is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Helsinki is more popular for its food and impressive beauty. Helsinki is well known for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. Also, Bilbao is famous for The Guggenheim Museum.

How is Helsinki different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Helsinki and Bilbao.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

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.

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

Helsinki 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 Helsinki. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

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 Helsinki or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Bilbao has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Helsinki has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Is Helsinki or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a city with good options for its old town. However, Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Bilbao. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Bilbao?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Helsinki and Bilbao.

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

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.

Is Helsinki or Bilbao Better for Families?

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

Helsinki is a very kid-friendly city. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

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 Helsinki or Bilbao Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Helsinki frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

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 Helsinki or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Bilbao are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Helsinki is a good city to visit for backpackers. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Helsinki or Bilbao Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

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

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Helsinki and Bilbao.

The public transit in Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

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

Is Helsinki or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Helsinki and Bilbao are notable when it comes to walkability.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable place. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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 Helsinki Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Bilbao?

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

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

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

One day in Helsinki or Bilbao?

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

The city of Bilbao offers nightlife and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Bilbao?

Helsinki 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bilbao, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Helsinki. 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Bilbao?

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

Bilbao is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Bilbao?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Bilbao in the Summer?

Both Bilbao and Helsinki during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Helsinki is cooler than Bilbao in the summer. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Helsinki. In the summer, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets more rain in July than Bilbao. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Bilbao in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Bilbao. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Helsinki is much colder than Bilbao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Helsinki in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Bilbao averages at about 16°C (62°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 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, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Helsinki or Bilbao in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Bilbao. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene during these months.

Helsinki can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Helsinki is generally much colder than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around -6°C (21°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Bilbao. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Helsinki usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Bilbao in the Spring?

Both Bilbao and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the activities around the city.

Helsinki can be very cold during spring. Helsinki is much colder than Bilbao in the spring. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Helsinki gets 183 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, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Helsinki gets 41 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 Helsinki