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

Should you visit Nagano 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 Nagano 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.

Nagano

Nagano is a historic, traditional, and alpine city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and skiing.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a friendly, industrial, and authentic 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.

Nagano and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nagano. Although Nagano and Bilbao are roughly the same size, Nagano has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nagano is better known for its skiing, food, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bilbao is more popular for its shopping. Nagano is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Also, Nagano is famous for Zenko-ji Temple. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Nagano different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Bilbao Better for Skiing?

Nagano is well known for winter skiing. However, Bilbao is not a skiing destination.

People head to Nagano specifically to take advantage of the area's skiing and winter sports. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Bilbao is not a skiing destination.

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

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

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 Nagano or Bilbao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Nagano. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

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 Nagano or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find very good options in both Nagano and Bilbao.

The nightlife in Nagano has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

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 Nagano or Bilbao Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a good destination for its resorts. However, Bilbao is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Nagano makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Bilbao is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Both Nagano and Bilbao have notable historic old towns worth visiting.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Nagano. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Bilbao offers a nice historic old town area. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Is Nagano or Bilbao Better for Hiking?

Nagano is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Nagano. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Bilbao?

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

Bilbao is well-known for its shopping. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Nagano or Bilbao Better for Families?

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

Nagano is a very kid-friendly city. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

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 Nagano or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Both Nagano and Bilbao are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nagano makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

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 Nagano or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nagano and Bilbao are notable places to visit.

Nagano is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

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 Nagano or Bilbao Better for Students?

For students, both Nagano and Bilbao are notable places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Nagano. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

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

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

Bilbao is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

The public transit in Bilbao can get you around easily. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Nagano has a few public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Is Nagano or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Nagano and Bilbao are notable when it comes to walkability.

Nagano is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

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 Nagano Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Bilbao?

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

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

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

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

One day in Nagano or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nagano. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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

A weekend in Nagano or Bilbao?

Nagano 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 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.

Five days in Nagano or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagano. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

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

A week in Nagano or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the alpine destination of Nagano. This city 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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, 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 Nagano and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Nagano much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nagano is in Asia and Bilbao is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Nagano would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nagano 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 Nagano.

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Bilbao?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Bilbao. The hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Nagano is a little warmer than Bilbao in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In the summer, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Bilbao. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nagano usually gets more rain in July than Bilbao. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, 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, Nagano is around the same temperature as Bilbao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Bilbao averages at about 16°C (62°F).

Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Nagano gets 167 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. It's quite rainy in Nagano. In October, Nagano usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nagano or Bilbao in the Winter?

Both Bilbao and Nagano during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nagano in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene during these months.

Nagano can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Nagano is generally much colder than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite sunny in Nagano. In the winter, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Nagano gets 212 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in January than Bilbao. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Bilbao in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Bilbao. Most visitors come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the activities around the city.

Nagano is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Nagano gets 191 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, Nagano usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Nagano