Enjoying Your Holiday at the Bay of Biscay: 7 Considerations to Enjoy the Incredible Bilbao

Feb 20, 2025

Last Updated on: Aug 25, 2025

Travel Blog

Located on the Biscayan coast, it is ideally situated just 200 meters from the beach, 12 minutes from the vibrant city of Bilbao, and 16 minutes from the airport. 

However, apart from severe weather, this place is a hotspot for marine life like dolphins and Whales. Therefore, your holiday trip to Bilbao is going to be memorable on the coast. Towns in Bilbao, like Getxo, Azpeitia, Ondarroa, Lekeitio, and more, are rich in history, where you get an opportunity to know the unknown. 

However, the Bay of Biscay, with its vibrant culture and stunning coastline, can be an inviting destination for all travel enthusiasts. We know that you are finding a scope to relax while seeking adventure on the same journey.

Normally, we divide the journey between people who love adventure and those who like to relax on holidays. However, Bilbao is going to be your memorable holiday check-in, where you can enjoy the holiday with the thrill and relaxation. 

Essential Considerations to Enjoy in Bilbao

Holiday at the Bay of Biscay

When planning your holiday, we always stay skeptical about the location and what it offers. However, instead of forming illusionary concepts, it is better to check out the place before you even check-in.

Confused? Well, when you have the chance to use the internet, scout for the place and know it properly before you practically visit there!

It will help you to plan your holiday trip seamlessly while avoiding some unexpected errors on the go. Whether you are visiting Bilbao, your family partner, or even friends, make sure you know these things before you reach there. 

1. Immerse Yourself in Local Culture

Bilbao is rich in history and art. Make sure to explore the iconic Guggenheim Museum, which houses contemporary art in an architectural masterpiece. Take a walk through the historic center (Bilbao La Vieja) and visit the charming boutiques and cafés that offer a taste of local life.

2. Savor Basque Cuisine

Basque cuisine is renowned for its exceptional flavors and fresh ingredients. Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in pintxos (Basque tapas) at local bars.

Also, try the specialties that highlight the region’s culinary heritage. Taste the seafood dishes and traditional Basque pastries. These foods are not available everywhere. So, when you visit Bilbao, be excited with your taste buds. 

3. Discover the Surrounding Natural Beauty

The Bay of Biscay offers breathtaking landscapes that are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Consider taking a hike in nearby natural parks, such as the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, or enjoy leisurely walks along the stunning coastline. The views are sure to leave you in awe.

4. Attend Local Festivals

Bilbao is known for its lively festivals throughout the year. Check the local calendar to see if your visit coincides with any events. 

  • Aste Nagusia (Big Week) festival
  • Bilbao Night Marathon
  • Azkena Rock Festival
  • Bilbao BBK Live music concert
  • Bilbao food tour

 These are all famous festivals for locals and travelers. Here, you can experience traditional music, dance, incredible fireworks, and more. 

5. Explore Unique Shopping Opportunities

From high-end boutiques to quirky local shops, Bilbao offers a diverse shopping experience. Stroll along Gran Vía and in the Old Town (Casco Viejo) for unique finds and souvenirs. Be sure to pick up some locally crafted goods to remember your trip.

6. Serene Experience at PALACIO ARRILUCE HOTEL (a 5 Star Hotel)

While traveling to a new city, we always forget to check out the best stays. Consequences? We ended up having a bad experience without proper amenities and accommodations.  

This should not happen in your care, especially while visiting Europe. This is why we have a luxurious option for you- the PALACIO ARRILUCE HOTEL. Consider booking a room in this spain 5 star hotel which is located actually in Getxo, near Bilbao. The best part about Getxo is that you get to stay close to the shore compared to the main town of Bilbao.

Serene Experience at PALACIO ARRILUCE HOTEL

However, this elegant hotel isn’t just a place to rest!

It also offers extraordinary culinary with Spa&Wellness.

It is one of those rare hotels that comes with a comprehensive Delaunay Restaurant, famous for its gastronomy treatment. Don’t you believe that?

Well, award-winning Basque chef Beñat Ormaetxea will be at your service here! Not only that, but the hotel also offers a space for relaxation and care. 

Neguri Spa&Wellness in PALACIO ARRILUCE HOTEL is going to be your state of wellness secret this year. This 5-star hotel perfectly complements your holiday in the Bay of Biscay. 

So, what are you waiting for? Check out their website to know more and understand what you can do while staying there. 

7. Embrace the Spirit of Adventure

After we consider a luxury stay, we forget to address the benefits of adventure. While visiting a new city, never stay in one place all the time. This will completely ruin your holidays. 

Instead, step out of your comfort zone; no one will handcuff you. 

Always try new things. Wondering what you can do at the Bay of Biscay? 

Well, there are a lot of activities you can go on.

  • Try surfing in Sopela
  • Take a scenic boat tour of the bay
  • Give your partner a romantic experience with a few simple arrangements
  • Discover the world’s first underwater winery
  • Go for Eexcursion to Cabárceno Park
  • Ensure a sunrise walk to the Bizkaia bridge

The more you explore, the more you find, and there is no end if you truly want to explore the place.

Research and Travel

Trust us; you will not enjoy your holiday if you do not do your research before you visit the place. It is not just about Bilbao but any other place as well. 

Consider key things in mind regarding accommodation, adventure, and seamless traveling. Your holiday at the Bay of Biscay will create lasting memories this time! 

Whether you’re indulging in fine dining at PALACIO ARRILUCE HOTEL or exploring its cultural treasures, there is something for everyone to cherish in this captivating part of Spain.

Safe travel!

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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A Day At Olympic National Park: Making The Most Of The UNESCO World Heritage Site

BY  Sibashree Dec 18, 2024

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READ MORE things to do in Bogota

10 Things To Do In Bogota – You Must Know Before Going

BY  Subham Saha Jan 12, 2021

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READ MORE transformative travel experiences

Adventure Awaits: The Path To Fulfilment Through Exploration

BY  Sibashree Oct 22, 2025

You ever feel like life’s just looping on repeat? Same mornings, same coffee, same everything.  At some point, most of us start craving something that shakes that pattern, and we need something raw and real. That’s where adventure holidays sneak in.  They don’t just change your surroundings, they mess (in a good way) with how you see yourself. For anyone coming out of alcohol rehabilitation centres, that shift can mean the world.  It’s like flipping a switch, a chance to rebuild confidence, piece life together again, and actually feel alive instead of just existing. Here is more on how transformative travel experiences help us. The Psychology Of Adventure Adventure does something strange to your mind. It wakes it up. Think hiking in the Himalayas or rafting wild rivers in New Zealand. It’s not just adrenaline. 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There’s something about being surrounded by that much untamed beauty that resets your brain. 2. Surfing In Costa Rica It is not your average beach trip. Warm waves, laughter echoing off the water, and even falling feels kind of freeing.  Learning to surf teaches patience. You wipe out a dozen times, but when you finally ride that wave — yeah, it changes something inside you. 3. Safari In South Africa There’s silence out there that words can’t touch. Watching a lion cross the grasslands or an elephant just being! Time slows down. And for a moment, you’re reminded how big life actually is. 4. Mountain Biking In The Alps It’s chaos and calm rolled into one. The climbs are brutal, the paths unpredictable, but man, those views. Finishing a tough trail feels like winning back a part of yourself you didn’t even know you’d lost. 5. Kayaking In The Norwegian Fjords This one’s magic. Paddling between steep cliffs that look carved by gods is a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s almost too quiet. The rhythm of your paddle turns into a kind of meditation. You start thinking, really thinking, about where your life’s going next. Transformative Travel Experiences And Building Connections And Community The Funniest thing about adventure trips is that you show up thinking you’re doing it for yourself, but you end up building these unexpected friendships.  People you’ve never met start to feel like family after a few shared challenges (or shared blisters). Late-night talks, bad coffee, shared laughs! That’s the stuff you remember.  On a trek route, when a shepherd you meet or your guide shares a slice of cheese with you or pours a cup of coffee, you know you have met the divine.  And especially for folks fresh out of rehab, that connection? It’s gold. Suddenly, you’re not alone.  You’re with people who get it. Who nods instead of judging you. Those friendships stick even long after the trip’s done. Sometimes, they’re the reason you keep pushing forward later on. 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And the things you pick up out there, including patience, grit, and gratitude, they stay long after you’re back home. At the end of it all, adventure holidays aren’t really about travel. They’re about renewal. They crack open the shell of routine and let the light in again.  Whether you’re trekking Patagonia’s wild path or gliding through Norway’s fjords, you don’t just move through landscape. They move through you. So yeah, if life’s been feeling heavy or stuck, maybe it’s time to pack a bag. The world’s out there, waiting with rough edges and all. And if you let it, adventure might just hand you back the best version of yourself. Transformative Travel Experience: More Than A Buzzword  “What that transformation is will be different for every traveller: some will be about traversing exterior landscapes, and some will be about traversing interior landscapes.” - Arnie Weissman, the Editor-in-Chief of Travel Weekly, said this in a report on the BBC. 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