Updated October 2026
For a first date in Bilbao, try Museo Guggenheim Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, or Funicular de Artxanda. Weekday evenings are calmer; on Friday and Saturday, book ahead where you can.
A first date in Bilbao is often a short pintxo crawl: a drink and a bite in one bar, then the next, with a walk along the river in between. It keeps things light and gives you an easy way to end or to carry on.
Here are ten real places for every budget, from a free park and a funicular ride with a view to theatre and cocktails, plus two unusual ideas at the end.
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MuseumAbandoibarra€€All ages
The titanium landmark on the river, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. Walk around Puppy and the giant spider outside, then talk about which pieces you loved or hated inside.
Abandoibarra Etorbidea 2, 48009 Bilbao · Takes bookings
MuseumAbando€All ages
A calmer alternative to the Guggenheim, with old masters and Basque art right next to Doña Casilda park. Pair it with a walk in the park for a relaxed daytime date.
Museo Plaza Eduardo Chillida, 48009 Bilbao · Takes bookings
Funicular and viewpointCastaños / Artxanda€All ages
A short funicular ride of about three minutes up to Mount Artxanda, where a park looks over the whole city and the river. Go up before sunset, then come down for pintxos in the centre.
Plaza del Funicular s/n, 48007 Bilbao · Walk-in
ParkAbando€All ages
The city's favourite central park, nicknamed the duck park for its pond, between the Bellas Artes museum and the river. Free, green and quiet: ideal for a walk and a talk after a coffee.
Paseo José Anselmo Clavé, 48009 Bilbao · Walk-in
Historic caféAbando / Jardines de Albia€€All ages
A grand café from 1903 facing the Albia gardens, with Mudéjar style tiles and painted ceilings. Famous for its spicy pintxos morunos, it suits a first coffee or an early evening drink.
Colón de Larreátegui 13, 48001 Bilbao · Walk-in
Wine bar and restaurantAbando€€30s
A wine and ham bar running since 1927, with a lively counter for pintxos and a small restaurant at the back. Closed on Sundays and Mondays; book the restaurant for a proper dinner date.
Diputación 10, 48008 Bilbao · Takes bookings
Pintxo barCasco Viejo€€All ages
One of the most praised pintxo bars on Plaza Nueva, with creative bites at the counter. Share a few pintxos and a glass of txakoli, then wander the old town's seven streets.
Plaza Nueva 12, 48005 Bilbao · Walk-in
Cocktail barAbando€€30s
A small wood-panelled cocktail and whisky bar run by the same bartender since 2003, recognised with a Diageo award in 2026. Cosy, open until 01:00 and good for a second drink when the conversation is going well.
Barraincúa 1 (corner of Heros), 48009 Bilbao · Walk-in
Boat tripAbando / riverside€€All ages
Regular boat trips along the river past the Guggenheim and the Euskalduna area, with some routes going out to the sea. A relaxed date where the view does half the talking.
Plaza Pío Baroja 1, 48001 Bilbao · Takes bookings
TheatreCasco Viejo€€All ages
The grand 19th century theatre on the river, with theatre, concerts and dance through the season. A show followed by a late drink in the old town makes a classic special date.
Plaza Arriaga 1, 48005 Bilbao · Takes bookings
Unusual places worth a special trip when you want a date nobody forgets.
Transporter bridgeGetxo / Portugalete€All ages
The world's oldest transporter bridge and a UNESCO World Heritage site, at the mouth of the river and easy to reach by metro. Ride the hanging gondola across, or walk the top walkway 50 metres up if neither of you minds heights.
Barria 3, 48930 Las Arenas (Getxo) · Takes bookings
MarketCasco Viejo€All ages
A huge riverside food market hall in the old town, open Monday to Saturday, with fish, cheese and produce stalls plus its own cooking school. A morning stroll here is a fun, low-pressure way to spend time together.
Ribera s/n, 48005 Bilbao · Walk-in
Popular places to meet people in Bilbao include Bilbao English-Spanish Language Exchange (language exchange), Bilbao International Meetup (event series), and Azkuna Zentroa (cultural centre). All of them are easy to visit alone or with friends.
Pick an indoor spot such as Museo Guggenheim Bilbao or Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao. Both work well for a first date in any weather.
In the YesTonite City Index, Bilbao is number 93 of 112 cities for dating, with a dating score of 3.7 out of 10.
Open YesTonite and see who in Bilbao is going out tonight. Say hi, agree on a time and meet at one of the places on this page.
Checked October 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so call or check the website before you go.
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