Biscay district, Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, Spain

Places to visit near Bilbao

Bilbao is a city in Biscay district, Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, Spain, home to about 354,860 people. Within 50 km by road there are 79 places to visit — 22 forts & heritage, 15 churches, 15 hill stations & viewpoints and 7 caves. The must-see places are Jesusen Bihotza Eliza (1 km), John Jauregia (La Bolsa Eraikina) (1 km) and Euskal Museoa (1 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Bilbao on the map

Bilbao at a glance

Location
Biscay district, Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, Spain
Population
about 354,860
Coordinates
43.2627° N, 2.9253° W
Places within 50 km
79 (75 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for forts & heritage; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for churches and caves

Top places to visit near Bilbao

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Bilbao: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Bilbao

Things to see near Bilbao, by type

Forts & heritage near Bilbao

74 forts & heritage within 100 km of Bilbao. The closest is On Diego Lopez Harokoaren Monumentua (1 km); the best-known is John Jauregia (La Bolsa Eraikina) (1 km). Best time: october to february.

All forts & heritage in Autonomous Community of the Basque Country →

Churches near Bilbao

45 churches within 100 km of Bilbao. The closest is Done Bikendi Eliza / Iglesia de San Vicente Mártir (1 km); the best-known is Jesusen Bihotza Eliza (1 km). Best time: year-round.

All churches in Autonomous Community of the Basque Country →

Hill stations & viewpoints near Bilbao

36 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Bilbao. The closest is Artxandako Askaldegia (2 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

All hill stations & viewpoints in Autonomous Community of the Basque Country →

Caves near Bilbao

17 caves within 100 km of Bilbao. The closest is Axlor (28 km). Best time: year-round.

All caves in Autonomous Community of the Basque Country →

Beaches & coast near Bilbao

15 beaches & coast within 100 km of Bilbao. The closest is Areetako Hondartza (13 km). Best time: october to march.

All beaches & coast in Autonomous Community of the Basque Country →

Parks near Bilbao

12 parks within 100 km of Bilbao. The closest is Albia Lorategia (1 km); the best-known is Iturrizar Doña Casilda Parkea (2 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

All parks in Autonomous Community of the Basque Country →

A one-day trip from Bilbao

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 6 km on the road.

  1. Start in Bilbao
  2. 1 km Euskal Museoa · museum, Biscay
  3. 1 km John Jauregia (La Bolsa Eraikina) · heritage site, Biscay
  4. 1 km Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís · church, Biscay
  5. 1 km Jesusen Bihotza Eliza · church, Biscay
  6. 1 km Autoridad Portuaria de Bilbao · heritage site, Biscay
  7. 1 km Back to Bilbao

Plan a longer trip from Bilbao — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Bilbao

No traveller has reported from around Bilbao yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

Post an update from the map →

How to reach Bilbao

    All places near Bilbao by distance

    Within 15 km of Bilbao

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Bilbao by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Forts & heritage2274On Diego Lopez Harokoaren Monumentua (1 km)
    Churches1545Done Bikendi Eliza / Iglesia de San Vicente Mártir (1 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints1536Artxandako Askaldegia (2 km)
    Caves717Axlor (28 km)
    Beaches & coast515Areetako Hondartza (13 km)
    Parks512Albia Lorategia (1 km)
    Museums311Euskal Museoa (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens310Urdaibaiko Biosfera Erreserba (28 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves13Garraitz (46 km)
    Other attractions12Variante Ovoide de la Desocupación de la Esfera (1 km)
    Waterfalls22Goiuriko Ur-jauzia Cascada de Gujuli (40 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs01Uribarriko Urtegia (59 km)

    Bilbao: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Bilbao?

    Jesusen Bihotza Eliza (church, about 1 km), John Jauregia (La Bolsa Eraikina) (heritage site, about 1 km), Euskal Museoa (museum, about 1 km), Autoridad Portuaria de Bilbao (heritage site, about 1 km), Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís (church, about 1 km), San Anton Eliza (church, about 1 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Bilbao?

    79 places on Spotwander: 22 forts & heritage, 15 churches, 15 hill stations & viewpoints, 7 caves, 5 beaches & coast.

    Which is the nearest fort to Bilbao?

    On Diego Lopez Harokoaren Monumentua, about 1 km by road; John Jauregia (La Bolsa Eraikina) (1 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Bilbao?

    Done Bikendi Eliza / Iglesia de San Vicente Mártir, about 1 km by road; Jesusen Bihotza Eliza (1 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Bilbao?

    Artxandako Askaldegia, about 2 km by road; Malmasin (5 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Bilbao?

    Start in Bilbao, visit Euskal Museoa, then John Jauregia (La Bolsa Eraikina), then Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís, then Jesusen Bihotza Eliza, then Autoridad Portuaria de Bilbao, and drive back — about 6 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Bilbao?

    October to February for forts & heritage; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; year-round for churches and caves.

    Towns near Bilbao

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Bilbao’s location and population from GeoNames. Data sources & credits.