A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Tenerife vs. Bilbao for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Tenerife or Bilbao?

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

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

Tenerife

Tenerife is a volcanic, scenic, and vibrant island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Bilbao

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

Tenerife and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tenerife or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tenerife. Although Tenerife and Bilbao are popular destinations, Tenerife has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tenerife is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bilbao attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and big city activities. Tenerife is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its volcanic landscapes, built-up resorts, and fun-filled beaches. It is also well known for Mount Teide. Bilbao is famous for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Tenerife different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bilbao is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Tenerife is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Tenerife offers a few options for museum-goers. The island is filled with national parks, beautiful landscapes, and stunning beaches, but if you're not into outdoor activities, then you won't find many museums or other historical sights to visit.

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

Tenerife is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Tenerife. Many visitors stick to the major touristy areas, eating in their resorts or other nearby restaurants. If you want to try a bit of the island's authentic Canarian cuisine, you'll need to do a little research. Head into the local areas near the markets for the best chance of finding something a little more authentic. Local dishes often include fish and seafood as well as local meats, but you'll rarely find beef as there isn't a lot of land for cows to graze on the island.

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 Tenerife or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

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

Tenerife has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The island has a variety of nightclubs that range in style and personality. There are all night wild beach parties as well as laid back beach clubs and hole-in-the-wall pubs. Many bars have happy hours where you can relax with a drink and many nightclubs host famous DJs that keep the party going into the early morning hours.

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 Tenerife or Bilbao Better for Resorts?

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

There are plenty of resorts in Tenerife to choose from. You'll find everything from world-class resorts like the Ritz to more budget-friendly hotels and even some hostels around the island. You'll find most of the resorts on the south side of the island, which is also where you'll find the best weather.

Bilbao is not a resort destination.

Is Tenerife or Bilbao Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tenerife is well known for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Tenerife. A highlight of snorkeling in this area is the opportunity to swim with sea turtles. Some of the best snorkeling is in El Puertito, which is known for its many turtles and there is no shortage of organized snorkeling trips to the area. The island also has excellent scuba diving trips with a variety of shipwrecks and marine species.

Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tenerife or Bilbao Better for Beaches?

Tenerife is well known for the beache. However, Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Tenerife for it's beautiful beaches. The island has a large number of beaches that attract tourists, particularly during the peak winter months. The island's volcanic nature means that many of its natural beaches have black sand. The golden sand from the more developed beaches typically comes from the Sahara Desert. A favorite beach on the island is the 2 kilometer long Playa de las Teresitas.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Tenerife or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Tenerife 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.

Tenerife does not have a historic old town.

Is Tenerife or Bilbao Better for Hiking?

Tenerife is an amazing island to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Tenerife is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The island's volcanic landscapes mean that there are dramatic and breathtaking hikes throughout the island. Some of the best hikes are found in the Anaga Rural Park, Teide National Park, and the Teno Mountains.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tenerife or Bilbao?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Tenerife and Bilbao.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Tenerife. The island's low tax rates make it a popular shopping destination for tourists. The are shopping streets, local markets, and luxury malls that you can explore.

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 Tenerife or Bilbao Better for Families?

Tenerife is an amazing island 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, Tenerife is very family-friendly. The island has many great waterparks for kids, with one of the best being Siam Park. Other family-friendly destinations include Aqualand, Loro Parque, Jungle Park, and Monkey Park. There are whale watching trips, outdoor adventures, and kid-friendly beaches as well.

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 Tenerife or Bilbao Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Tenerife frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The natural beauty, great landscapes, and lively beaches make this a great island for a romantic getaway. There's hiking and outdoor adventures as well as swimming, boat rides, and even whale watching.

Bilbao is a good island 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 Tenerife or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tenerife and Bilbao are both nice destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Tenerife. The island is large enough that there are a decent number of hostels and budget-friendly places to stay for backpackers.

Bilbao is a good island 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 Tenerife or Bilbao Better for Students?

Bilbao is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Tenerife is not popular with students.

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

Tenerife is not popular with students.

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

Bilbao is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Bilbao is fairly effecient and thorough. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

You'll find some public transit in Tenerife, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The island has a decent bus service that is operated by a company called "TITSA".

Is Tenerife or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Tenerife and Bilbao are nice when it comes to walkability.

Tenerife is somewhat walkable. There are many walks on the island that make for a fun way to explore the setting.

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 Tenerife Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Tenerife?

How long in Tenerife or Bilbao?

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

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

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

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

One day in Tenerife or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Tenerife. 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.

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 Tenerife or Bilbao?

Tenerife 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 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 Tenerife or Bilbao?

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

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 Tenerife or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the volcanic destination of Tenerife. This island 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.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Tenerife and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Tenerife 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 Tenerife or Bilbao in the Summer?

Both Bilbao and Tenerife during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tenerife for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tenerife is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tenerife in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Bilbao averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Tenerife. In the summer, Tenerife often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Tenerife gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Tenerife usually gets less rain in July than Bilbao. Tenerife gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tenerife or Bilbao in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tenerife and Bilbao. Many visitors come to Tenerife in the autumn for the hiking trails, 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.

In October, Tenerife is generally a little warmer than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Tenerife average around 22°C (72°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

In Tenerife, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tenerife usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Tenerife gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Tenerife usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Tenerife gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tenerife or Bilbao in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tenerife as well as Bilbao. Most visitors come to Tenerife for 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.

Tenerife is much warmer than Bilbao in the winter. The daily temperature in Tenerife averages around 17°C (63°F) in January, and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Tenerife often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Tenerife gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Tenerife usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Tenerife gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tenerife or Bilbao in the Spring?

Both Bilbao and Tenerife are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Tenerife because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In the spring, Tenerife is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tenerife in April average around 18°C (64°F), and Bilbao averages at about 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tenerife. Tenerife usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Tenerife gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In April, Tenerife usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Tenerife gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Tenerife