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

Should you visit Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a vibrant, friendly, and relaxed city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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.

Toulouse and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toulouse than Bilbao, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bilbao is more touristy than Toulouse and is popular for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. Toulouse is popular for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. It is also home to Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Toulouse different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Bilbao and Toulouse.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Toulouse. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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 Toulouse or Bilbao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toulouse is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eat your way through Toulouse, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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 Toulouse or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is very good in both Toulouse and Bilbao.

Many people head to Toulouse for the nightlife scene. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

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 Toulouse or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Toulouse is well known for its old town. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Toulouse. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or Bilbao?

If you're looking to go shopping, Toulouse and Bilbao both offer plenty of very good spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Bilbao is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Toulouse or Bilbao Better for Families?

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

Toulouse is a very kid-friendly city. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

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 Toulouse or Bilbao Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Toulouse frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

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 Toulouse or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Bilbao Better for Students?

For students, both Toulouse and Bilbao are good places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Toulouse. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

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

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

Bilbao offers a very effecient public transportation network. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Toulouse has a few public transit options. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Is Toulouse or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is a very walkable city. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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 Toulouse Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Bilbao?

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

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Toulouse. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Toulouse or Bilbao?

Toulouse is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Toulouse or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulouse. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Toulouse or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxed destination of Toulouse. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

When comparing the travel costs between Toulouse 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 Toulouse Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Bilbao?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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 Toulouse or Bilbao in the Summer?

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

In July, Toulouse is generally a little warmer than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 22°C (72°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulouse this time of the year. In the summer, Toulouse often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets less rain in July than Bilbao. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Toulouse for 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.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Toulouse usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Toulouse gets 161 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, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulouse or Bilbao in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Toulouse is cooler than Bilbao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toulouse in January average around 6°C (44°F), and Bilbao averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Toulouse often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Toulouse gets 88 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. Toulouse usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Bilbao in the Spring?

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

In April, Toulouse is generally around the same temperature as Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 12°C (54°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Toulouse usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Toulouse gets 178 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, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Toulouse