The 11 best hotels in Bilbao, Spain
Hotels in Bilbao weave timeless tales of elegance, where every room whispers secrets of the city’s vibrant, artistic soul.
Nestled within Bilbao’s dynamic landscape, hotels in Bilbao blend historical grandeur with modern sophistication. Each stay offers a unique glimpse into the city’s vibrant culture, from chic design boutiques to classic luxury retreats. Guests can immerse themselves in the rich artistic heritage and enjoy the picturesque urban surroundings.
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Best hotels in Bilbao
1. Radisson Collection Hotel Gran Via Bilbao
© Hotel Gran Via Bilbao
The grand columned facade of a historic 1940s edifice on lively Gran Via leads to this creatively revitalized, alluring five-star hotel with a focus on sustainability. The chic rooftop NKO restaurant and bar features vertical gardens and sweeping Bilbao views, offering a relaxed setting for alfresco cocktails and inventive Basque-Japanese fusion cuisine. Rooms exude effortless elegance with touches of nautical blue and Bilbao-inspired artwork, while the spa boasts a sparkling indoor pool. Perfectly located, it’s close to Pintxo bars and just across the river from Casco Viejo.
2. The Artist
© The Artist
Should you be lured to the Bilbao art scene by the riverside consider reserving an upper-level room with a view at the five-star, artistically-styled hotel, directly across from Jeff Koons’ magnificent floral sculpture Puppy. Guests can savor the Guggenheim view during breakfast, enjoying Idiazabal cheese, Spanish tortilla, and other delicacies on the exceptional rooftop. Interiors have been tastefully blending warm-toned rooms, remarkable art pieces, and striking elements like the soaring stone “cypress” in the lobby. The oak-wood spa features a sauna, Turkish bath, and rosemary-infused massages.
3. Hotel Tayko Bilbao
© Hotel Tayko Bilbao
Tayko breathes innovation into a stylishly transformed 1924 building at Casco Viejo’s western boundary. The avant-garde design melds exposed concrete, brick walls, and a sleek, minimalistic ambiance. Select rooms feature standalone bathtubs, solo travelers should secure a single room with a river-view balcony. The gastronomic allure includes the Michelin-starred Ola and La Bodega. Hip Bilbao la Vieja lies across the river, while the Mercado de la Ribera is a mere five-minute walk. A brisk 25-minute stroll along the Nervion leads you to the iconic Guggenheim.
4. Miró Hotel Bilbao
© Miró Hotel Bilbao
The sleek, minimalist white rooms exude a breezy simplicity, allowing breathtaking city vistas and a contemporary photography collection to stand out. Breakfast highlights local fare, featuring Orduña-crafted jams and honey from the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Guests can rent bikes for a beautiful ride along the Nervion or indulge in essential oil treatments at the spa. An art-centric library offers further cultural enrichment, and the Museo de Bellas Artes is conveniently nearby. This blend of local charm and culture creates a uniquely enriching experience.
5. Ercilla de Bilbao
© Ercilla de Bilbao
Originally built in 1972 and once a symbol of Bilbao’s classic elegance, the family-owned Ercilla has transformed into a stylishly designed hotel, now part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The hotel recently got an imaginative makeover, incorporating repurposed vintage furnishings and retro hues and patterns. The lively rooftop is the heart of the action, offering panoramic city views best enjoyed with a signature strawberry-infused Ercillini cocktail on candy-striped loungers. Live DJ sets and yoga classes add to the vibrant atmosphere, all set in the chic area near Plaza Moyua.
6. Catalonia Gran Via Bilbao
© Catalonia Gran Via Bilbao
The hotel is located just a block south of Parque de Doña Casilda de Iturrizar. The rooftop features an open-air pool surrounded by dove-grey loungers, while the spa offers a steam room, sauna, and pressure-jet pool. At the back, a relaxed terrace lounge adorned with terracotta pots provides a serene escape. The 106 rooms, designed to offer respite from city life, are accented with chocolate-brown details and thoughtful amenities, some include balconies or terraces. A short stroll through the park leads to the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Guggenheim within ten minutes.
7. NYX Hotel Bilbao
© NYX Hotel Bilbao
This energetic, boldly-designed hotel in Bilbao opposite Teatro Arriaga celebrates local street art and good times. Featuring murals by numerous artists, the tech-savvy, pet-friendly rooms are outfitted in cool greys with walk-in showers and Guggenheim-themed headboards. The rooftop bar, offering divine city views, is a beloved local hangout. The neon-lit lobby hosts lively nights and serves craft cocktails. Located in the heart of Bilbao, you’re surrounded by the bustling Casco Viejo, with the Guggenheim Museum just a 20-minute stroll away.
8. Hotel Carlton
© Hotel Carlton
Towering over the bustling Plaza Moyua, Bilbao’s first luxury hotel has drawn guests for decades, including luminaries like Ernest Hemingway, Ava Gardner, and Paris Hilton. This stunning artist building, built in 1926, features a grand hall crowned with a stained-glass dome. Expect carpeted hallways, sparkling chandeliers, and a dose of Bilbao’s rich history, even a Civil War-era bunker found during renovations now serves as an exclusive bar. The upscale rooms, decorated in sophisticated taupe, gold, and grey hues, offer a more contemporary touch, blending modern comfort with timeless elegance.
9. Caravan Cinema
© Caravan Cinema
Housed in a 200-year-old building featuring a classic northern Spanish glass gallery, this unique boutique hotel stands amidst the historic old town of Bilbao. With a 1950s vintage flair, each of the five rooms and three apartments is themed around a famous film director, showcasing exposed stone walls, tiled bathrooms, retro Marshall speakers, and Hierbas de Ibiza toiletries. The Pedro Almodóvar room, complete with a balcony, is adorned with posters from Volver, All About My Mother, and other iconic films. A short five-minute stroll through Arenal Park brings you to the riverfront.
10. Bilder Boutique Hotel
© Bilder Boutique Hotel
You won’t find a more quintessential Bilbao spot than this charming boutique design hotel nestled in the heart of Casco Viejo, surrounded by historic mansions, local shops, the Arenal park along the river, Teatro Arriaga, and Plaza Nueva’s bustling pintxo bars. Once a shoe store for nearly a century, the building now proudly displays its original sign in the hotel’s inventive Basque restaurant. The 39 inviting rooms feature soothing wooden elements, high ceilings, and rust-red furnishings, with views of the city or a serene inner courtyard.
11. Palacio Arriluce Hotel
© Palacio Arriluce Hotel
Situated about 10km north of Bilbao in the coastal town of Getxo, this 1912 Palacio has been reinvented as a stylish 49-room hotel. Palacio Arriluce seamlessly merges historic brick turrets and stained-glass windows with a contemporary boutique flair. Each room, bathed in light, features unique sage tones, striking artwork, and luxurious velvet accents, with some offering private gardens. In warmer seasons, you’ll likely enjoy the infinity pool with bay views. The restaurant serves an exquisite Basque culinary experience, while the cozy bar resides in a former chapel.
Learn more about Bilbao
Bilbao combines historical roots with the lively present, chasing after the Basque culture and modern vibrancy. It expresses its history through colorful festivals, tasty local foods called ‘pintxos,’ and vibrant art scenes. The city has a traditional and historic feel to it, with the Basque region’s traditions and culture well maintained, and the place has been filled with modernity, innovation, and a creative mindset, making the city a center point for culture.
From modern pieces like the Guggenheim Museum to the more classic and more traditional ones like the Casco Viejo, Bilbao is an interesting city to visit. Near the city, Getxo beaches offer a coastal retreat, while the greenery of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve offers a relaxing experience. Some of the interesting places to visit are the Museo de Bellas Artes and the bridge that is known as Puente Zubizuri.
Best hotels in Bilbao FAQs
Three of the top hotels in Bilbao city center are Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao, Hotel Carlton, and Sercotel Coliseo.
Luxury travelers often choose Hotel Carlton, Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao, and Hotel Meliá Bilbao when staying in Bilbao.
For budget-friendly hotels in Bilbao, consider staying at Hotel Bilbao Plaza, Hotel Photo Zabalburu, or Ibis Budget Bilbao City.
If you’re looking for a relaxing spa experience in Bilbao, check out Hotel Carlton, Hotel Meliá Bilbao, and Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao.
When it comes to hotels with a pool in Bilbao, some of the most popular options are Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao, Hotel Meliá Bilbao, and NH Collection Villa de Bilbao.
Families traveling to Bilbao often stay at Barceló Bilbao Nervión, Hotel Carlton, and NH Collection Villa de Bilbao.
For a romantic getaway in Bilbao, couples frequently choose Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao, Hotel Meliá Bilbao, and Hotel Miró.
Popular neighborhoods for staying in Bilbao include Abando, Casco Viejo, and Indautxu.
