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

Should you visit Sydney or Bilbao?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney 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.

Sydney

Sydney is a energetic, outdoorsy, and adventurous city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a colorful, friendly, and industrial city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Sydney and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sydney than Bilbao, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sydney is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Bilbao is known for its historical sights. Sydney is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also home to the Sydney Opera House. Bilbao is popular for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Sydney different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sydney is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Sydney are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Bilbao offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Sydney or Bilbao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Sydney. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

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 Sydney or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Sydney has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

Many people head to Bilbao for the nightlife scene. 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 Sydney or Bilbao Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Sydney. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Bilbao Better for Beaches?

Sydney is an amazing city to visit for the beache. However, Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Sydney offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Sydney or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney does not have a historic old town.

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.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Sydney or Bilbao Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Sydney. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Bilbao?

Sydney 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 Sydney make it a world-class shopping destination. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

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 Sydney or Bilbao Better for Families?

Sydney is an amazing city 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, Sydney is very family-friendly. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

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 Sydney or Bilbao Better for Couples?

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

Sydney is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

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 Sydney or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Sydney. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

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

Is Sydney or Bilbao Better for Students?

Sydney is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Sydney is a very popular place to visit for students. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

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

Sydney is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Sydney is top-notch. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bilbao. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Sydney or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Sydney is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Sydney is a very walkable city. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

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 Sydney Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sydney and Bilbao. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sydney than in Bilbao. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sydney, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

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

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

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

One day in Sydney or Bilbao?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

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 Sydney or Bilbao?

Sydney is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. 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 Sydney or Bilbao?

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

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 Sydney or Bilbao?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, 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 Sydney and Bilbao, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Bilbao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific 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 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Bilbao?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Sydney 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 Sydney or Bilbao?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Bilbao has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or Bilbao in the Summer?

Both Bilbao and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Sydney is generally a little warmer than Bilbaoin July. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 23°C (73°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during summer. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. In January, Sydney usually receives more rain than Bilbaoin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sydney or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Sydney during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sydney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Sydney is a little warmer than Bilbao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 19°C (65°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F)in October.

In the autumn, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Bilbaoin October. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 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 Sydney. Sydney usually gets more rain in April than Bilbaoin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Bilbao in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Bilbao. Most visitors come to Sydney 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.

In the winter, Sydney is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sydney in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Bilbao averages at about 9°C (48°F)in January.

In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Sydney usually receives less rain than Bilbaoin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sydney or Bilbao in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Bilbao. The spring months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In October, Sydney is generally a little warmer than Bilbaoin April. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 18°C (64°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the spring, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Bilbaoin April. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Sydney usually gets less rain in October than Bilbaoin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Sydney