Hotels in Bilbao

Bilbao has 694 accommodations in the HotelsCasa catalog, and the offer is much more varied than it seems at first glance. Most are apartments (563), followed by hotels (72) and guesthouses (42), with an average rating of 3.4 stars. That means that, unless you're looking for a luxury hotel, you'll find functional, well-located options without paying too much. The lowest price is around 52 euros per night, and the average is 225, so there's room to adjust your budget if you know where to look.

If it's your first time, the most practical thing is to stay in the center, between the Casco Viejo and the Ensanche. The Casco Viejo (the Seven Streets) is noisier and has narrow streets, but you have the Mercado de la Ribera, the pintxos bars and the atmosphere just around the corner. The Ensanche, around the Gran Vía and the Museo de Bellas Artes, is quieter, with more modern shops and restaurants. If you prefer something more local and with good views, the Deusto neighborhood, on the other side of the river, is well connected and tends to be somewhat cheaper. The Indautxu area is also a good middle option: a ten-minute walk from the center and with the metro nearby. Avoid staying in the more peripheral neighborhoods like Rekalde or San Francisco if you intend to get around on foot, because you'll have to depend on the bus or metro for everything.

Prices drop notably between November and March, except at Christmas and during the Semana Grande (Aste Nagusia) in August, when they skyrocket. If your dates are flexible, a weekend in February or March can cost you less than half of one in June. To get there, Loiu airport is 20 minutes away on the A3247 bus (it costs about 3 euros) and it leaves you at plaza Moyúa. If you come by train, Abando station (Renfe and EuskoTren) is right in the center, and the bus station (Termibus) is in San Mamés, with the metro and tram next to it. To get around, the metro is fast and covers the city well, but for the center and the Casco Viejo it's almost always better to walk: Bilbao is small and on foot you can reach everything in less than 25 minutes. The tram is useful for going from Abando to Deusto or to the Guggenheim, and a single ticket costs 1.35 euros; if you're going to use transport more than four times a day, buy the Barik card (rechargeable, 3 euros deposit) and you save 30% on each trip.

Before booking, look carefully at three things. First, whether the accommodation has a physical reception or is self-check-in: many pensions and apartments in Bilbao work with a door code and have no one at reception, which is fine if you arrive at odd hours, but it can be a problem if your flight is delayed. Second, the type of bed and the size of the room: in the 52-euro apartments, don't expect more than a basic studio with a small kitchen, and in guesthouses the rooms are usually tight. Third, the cancellation policy: in the cheapest accommodations it's usually non-refundable, so if there's a chance you'll change your plans, pay a little more for a flexible rate. Real examples of what you'll find: Pensión Arias or Pensión Don Claudio, simple and central; Apartamentos Olivia by gaiarooms, with a kitchen and good value for money; and Pensión B4R Self check in, which, as its name suggests, operates without a reception. With that in mind, you'll choose well.