A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Interlaken vs. Bilbao for Families, Couples, and Backpackers

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

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adventurous, adrenaline-filled, and breathtaking town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and skiing.

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.

Interlaken and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bilbao. Although Interlaken and Bilbao are popular destinations, Bilbao has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bilbao is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Interlaken attracts visitors for its skiing, food, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Bilbao is famous for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. It is also well known for The Guggenheim Museum.

How is Interlaken different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Bilbao Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a good destination for winter skiing. However, Bilbao is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Interlaken is a great destination to visit. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Bilbao is not a skiing destination.

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

Bilbao is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Interlaken. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

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 Interlaken or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is very good for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

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.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Bilbao Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is an amazing town to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Interlaken is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Bilbao?

Bilbao is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Bilbao Better for Families?

Interlaken is an amazing town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Interlaken is very family-friendly. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

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 Interlaken or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Interlaken is an amazing town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Interlaken is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

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 Interlaken or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Interlaken and Bilbao are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Interlaken is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Interlaken or Bilbao Better for Students?

Bilbao is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Interlaken and Bilbao.

Public transit in Interlaken is fairly effecient and thorough. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

Bilbao has some very good public transit options. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Interlaken or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Interlaken and Bilbao are nice when it comes to walkability.

Interlaken is somewhat walkable. The old town is relatively walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Interlaken and Bilbao. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Interlaken than in Bilbao. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bilbao than Interlaken 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 Bilbao.

One day in Interlaken or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the destination of Interlaken. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the friendly 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 Interlaken or Bilbao?

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, 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.

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 Interlaken or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Interlaken. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. 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 Interlaken or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the adrenaline-filled destination of Interlaken. This town 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.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich, 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 Interlaken and Bilbao, we can see that Interlaken 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 Interlaken would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Interlaken 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 Interlaken Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken 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 Interlaken 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 Interlaken or Bilbao in the Summer?

Both Bilbao and Interlaken during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Bilbao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Interlaken in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Bilbao averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Interlaken. In the summer, Interlaken often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in July than Bilbao. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Bilbao in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Bilbao. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Interlaken is generally cooler than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 13°C (56°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Interlaken usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao during autumn. Interlaken gets 120 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, Interlaken usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Interlaken or Bilbao in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Bilbao. The winter months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the skiing and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

The weather in Interlaken can be very cold. Interlaken is much colder than Bilbao in the winter. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Bilbao. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Interlaken usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Bilbao in the Spring?

Both Bilbao and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Interlaken is around the same temperature as Bilbao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Interlaken in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Bilbao averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Interlaken usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Interlaken gets 150 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, Interlaken usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Interlaken