Forget Barcelona and its (undeniably-pretty) but chaotic Gothic Quarter, Madrid with the expensive, anything-but-authentic pub fare and flashy boulevards, and Málaga’s jam-packed beachfront.
This year, a lesser-known gem in the North of Spain, miles away from the touristy capital and the Mediterranean Coast, is stealing the show.
The largest city, and beating heart of the autonomous Basque Country, Bilbao has seen a 40% uptick in visitors last year, making it one of Spain’s fastest-rising destinations. Be that as it may, that still only translates to about 182,000 annual visitors.
A growing number, sure, but a teeny-tiny fraction of the countrywide figures.
You’re thinking what we’re thinking? An up-and-coming gem that hasn’t been trampled by the masses just yet, picturesque plazas where you can actually wander without bumping elbows with complete strangers, and… prices that won’t make you flinch every time you tap your card?
Better even: Americans can fly there nonstop starting this spring!
Bilbao Is Spain’s Trendiest Destination This Year
A riverside city combining Old World charm and innovative modernist architecture, Bilbao is one of Spain’s most vibrant, yet overlooked metropolitan hubs.
Though it is rather populous for Northern Spain, with a metro population of over a million people, its picture-perfect Historic Center, crisscrossed by pedestrianized lanes and dotted with medieval plazas, feels almost village-like.
Called Casco Viejo in Spanish, or in the local Basque language, Alde Zaharra, it consists of a well-preserved 14th-century ensemble.
The narrow footpaths are flanked by slender, warm-tone façades, with contrasting protruding balconies painted in a vivid blue or green, and there is practically one pintxo bar every few meters.
If you’re unsure what that means, it’s simply Basque for ‘tapas’.
Plaza Nueva is the main square, flanked by café terraces, ideal for people-watching and slowly savoring your fruity Basque beer, in between bites of Iberian ham. For that classic Basque vibe, wooden interiors, cushioned turn-of-the-century seats and all, check out Café Bar Bilbao.
Set right on Plaza Nueva, it’s been up and running since the early 1990s, and it’s retained much of that Old Town charm.
Bilbao Is Affordable To Visit
By the way, sitting down for a meal in any downtown Bilbao eatery will hardly ever make your wallet bleed dry, unless you’re specifically aiming for the Michelin-reviewed rooftop restaurants with pretentious service.
A casual sit-down meal, or menú del día as they call it, will set you back around $16–$18 each time, and that’s including a starter, a main meat-based dish, and a drink.
Accommodation is equally affordable, with budget downtown rooms ranging from $80 to $130, or the equivalent in euros.
Granted, it’s not exactly Albania-cheap, but it’s one of the most affordable destinations in the whole of Spain.
What Sets Bilbao Apart From The Rest
Sitting right in the heart of the maze that is Casco Viejo, Santiago Cathedral is not to be missed.
The oldest religious building still standing in Bilbao, a city that endured a significant amount of decharacterization amidst the industrial boom, and thus lost more than just a handful of its heritage sites, it features typically-Gothic pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and intricate stonework.
You know, a true 14th-century masterpiece.
Also, it may not be a UNESCO World Heritage Site itself, but it is inextricably tied to the UNESCO-recognized Camino de Santiago, as part of the northern route leading to Santiago de Compostela. Don’t be surprised if you see the odd backpacking wanderer making a pit stop here for a quick prayer before resuming their long journey east.
Stunning as the Casco Viejo may be, it’s not exactly one-of-a-kind. Every Spanish city has one of those.
What no other Spanish city has, however, is a Gmajor Spanish city has that one iconic landmark that sets it apart from the rest, and Bilbao’s curvy, futuristic Guggenheim Museum proudly takes over that role.
If Barcelona’s number-one attraction is La Sagrada Família, Bilbao’s is this modern and contemporary art sanctuary with an exterior built out of titanium panels. I can’t even find the exact words to describe, except it looks like sweeping metallic waves, and it looks like a piece of art in itself.
It’s perched right on the east-facing bank of Nervión River, and even if you’re not keen on art exhibits, it’s already quite the sight at sunset hours, when the dying sun casts a golden reflective glow on the structure
You Can Fly Direct To Bilbao This Year
Did anyone mention nonstop flights from America?
You heard that right. Starting May 21, 2026, you’ll be able to fly from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), to Bilbao Airport (BIO), without the usual layovers in Madrid or Barcelona.
Previously, getting to Bilbao with a stopover in either the Spanish capital, or the Catalonian hub would entail a 12–14h total travel time, depending on how much of a buffer time you’d give yourself for the short connection. With the direct route, that’s been significantly cut short to only 7h30.
As for frequency, flights are scheduled every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, both ways.
Average roundtrip fares (at discounted rates) have been spotted from as economical as $490–$600 for shoulder season deals.
Sold on the idea yet? Head over to United Airlines and start planning your spring Basque getaway.
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