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

Should you visit Lille or Bilbao?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lille or Bilbao, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lille

Lille is a culinary, friendly, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a industrial, authentic, and colorful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lille and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lille or Bilbao?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bilbao. Although Lille and Bilbao are about the same size, Bilbao has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bilbao is better known for its museums and big city activities, while Lille is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Lille is well known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food 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 Lille different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bilbao is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bilbao can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eat your way through Lille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are great in both Lille and Bilbao.

Lille has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

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.

Is Lille or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Lille is well known for its old town. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

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 Lille or Bilbao?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Lille make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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.

Is Lille or Bilbao Better for Families?

Bilbao is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Lille or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Lille and Bilbao are both notable to visit as a couple.

Lille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

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 Lille or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Lille and Bilbao are notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Lille. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

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

Is Lille or Bilbao Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Lille. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

Both Lille and Bilbao offer great public transit options.

The public transit in Lille can get you around easily. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

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

Is Lille or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Lille on foot is easy. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored 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 Lille Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Lille?

How long in Lille or Bilbao?

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

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

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

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

One day in Lille or Bilbao?

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

In Bilbao, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this authentic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Lille or Bilbao?

Lille 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bilbao. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Lille or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lille. 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 is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bilbao. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Lille or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fascinating destination of Lille. This city 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.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the authentic destination of Bilbao. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, 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 Lille and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Lille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lille 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao than you might in Lille.

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

Which is Bigger, Lille or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Lille. When comparing the sizes of Lille 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 Lille 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 Lille or Bilbao in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lille and Bilbao. Many travelers come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bilbao in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Lille is cooler than Bilbao in the summer. The daily temperature in Lille averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Lille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lille usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao during summer. Lille gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lille usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Lille gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lille or Bilbao in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lille as well as Bilbao. Many visitors come to Lille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Lille is cooler than Bilbao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lille in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Bilbao averages at about 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Lille often gets less sunshine than Bilbao. Lille gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Lille usually gets less rain in October than Bilbao. Lille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lille or Bilbao in the Winter?

Both Bilbao and Lille are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lille for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the museums and the shopping scene.

Lille can be very cold during winter. In January, Lille is generally much colder than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Lille average around 3°C (38°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Lille usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Lille gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In January, Lille usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Lille gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lille or Bilbao in the Spring?

Both Bilbao and Lille during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Lille because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

Lille is cooler than Bilbao in the spring. The daily temperature in Lille averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Lille often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Lille gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lille usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Lille gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Lille