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

Should you visit Taormina 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 Taormina 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.

Taormina

Taormina is a historic, beautiful, and exclusive town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a friendly, industrial, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Taormina and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Bilbao?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bilbao. Although Taormina and Bilbao are both popular with visitors, Bilbao has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bilbao is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Taormina is known for its food, resorts, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Taormina is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views. Bilbao is popular for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. It is also home to The Guggenheim Museum.

How is Taormina different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bilbao is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Taormina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Taormina. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

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 Taormina or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Taormina has something for everybody. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

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 Taormina or Bilbao Better for Resorts?

Taormina is well known for its resorts. However, Bilbao is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Taormina to choose from. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Bilbao is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Bilbao Better for Beaches?

Taormina is a good destination for the beache. However, Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Taormina offers a nice beach destination. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Taormina or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina does not have a historic old town.

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.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Bilbao?

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

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.

Taormina is a great destination for shopping. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Is Taormina or Bilbao Better for Families?

Bilbao is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Taormina or Bilbao Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Taormina frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

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 Taormina or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bilbao is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known for backpackers.

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.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

Is Taormina or Bilbao Better for Students?

Bilbao is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not popular with students.

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.

Taormina is not popular with students.

Is Taormina 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, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

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

Taormina has a few public transit options. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

Is Taormina or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Taormina 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.

Taormina is a very walkable town. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the town.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Bilbao?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bilbao than Taormina 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 Taormina or Bilbao?

Taormina might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Bilbao offers nightlife and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Taormina or Bilbao?

Taormina 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bilbao, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Taormina or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Taormina. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Taormina or Bilbao?

Taormina is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bilbao is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, 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 Taormina and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Taormina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Taormina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Taormina 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 Taormina.

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

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina 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 Taormina 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 Taormina or Bilbao in the Summer?

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

In July, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 27°C (80°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Taormina this time of the year. In the summer, Taormina often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets less rain in July than Bilbao. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Taormina for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, 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.

Taormina is a little warmer than Bilbao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Taormina usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Taormina gets 189 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 Taormina. In October, Taormina usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Taormina or Bilbao in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Taormina is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Taormina in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Bilbao averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Taormina often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Taormina gets 115 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. Taormina usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Taormina 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 Taormina or Bilbao in the Spring?

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

In April, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 16°C (60°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Taormina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Taormina usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Taormina gets 207 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, Taormina usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Taormina