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

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

Manchester

Manchester is a cultural, vibrant, and dynamic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Bilbao

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

Manchester and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Manchester. Although Manchester and Bilbao are roughly the same size, Manchester has more sights and attractions for tourists. Manchester is very popular for its food, music, and big city activities, while Bilbao attracts visitors for its historical sights. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum. Bilbao is famous for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Manchester different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Manchester or Bilbao.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

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 Manchester or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Manchester and Bilbao.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Bilbao has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Manchester or Bilbao Better for Music?

Manchester is well known for its live music scene. However, Bilbao is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Bilbao is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is very good for its historic old town. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Bilbao?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Bilbao both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Bilbao is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Manchester or Bilbao Better for Families?

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

Manchester is a very kid-friendly city. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

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 Manchester or Bilbao Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Manchester frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Manchester and Bilbao are nice places to visit.

Manchester is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

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 Manchester or Bilbao Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Manchester. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

Manchester and Bilbao both offer high quality public transit to get you around.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Public transit in Bilbao can get you to some places easily. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Manchester or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Manchester and Bilbao are nice when it comes to walkability.

Manchester is somewhat walkable. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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 Manchester Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Bilbao?

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

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

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

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

One day in Manchester or Bilbao?

Manchester is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Manchester or Bilbao?

Manchester 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 Manchester or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. 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 Manchester or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cultural big city of Manchester. 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 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, 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 Manchester and Bilbao, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Bilbao?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Bilbao in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Bilbao. Many visitors come to Manchester in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Manchester is cooler than Bilbao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Bilbao averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In the summer, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in July than Bilbao. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Manchester is generally much colder than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 11°C (52°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Manchester gets 97 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, Manchester usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Bilbao in the Winter?

Both Bilbao and Manchester during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Manchester because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

The weather in Manchester can be very cold. Manchester is much colder than Bilbao in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Bilbao. Manchester gets 53 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. Manchester usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Bilbao in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Bilbao. The activities around the city are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Manchester is cooler than Bilbao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Bilbao averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Manchester usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Manchester gets 144 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, Manchester usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Manchester