7 Best Bilbao Food Tours to Check Out in 2024
Surrounded by verdant mountains and brimming with good food, Bilbao is globally recognized as the de facto capital of the beloved Basque region. And one way to truly immerse yourself in this incredible part of Spain is by going on one of the many unforgettable Bilbao food tours. From sharing pintxos (Basque tapas) and fresh seafood to sampling excellent regional wines, there’s something for every foodie in Bilbao! So, if you’re ready to go on a flavorful journey through Bilbao’s gastronomy, here are the 7 best food tours in Bilbao!
🇪🇸 PRO TIP: No time to read through all the different tours? Jump to the recap section, where I have a table that summarizes the 7 best Bilbao food tours!
What Food Is Bilbao Famous For?
Before delving into the best food tours, I want to talk about what food Bilbao is most famous for. This way you know what to expect and because anticipation makes the heart grow fonder right? 😉
First and foremost, of all the Bilbao food specialties, Bilbao is most famous for is its pintxos. These are small, tasty snacks that are often served in bars. They are similar to tapas with one main difference — pintxos have a pincho (Spanish for spike) running through them. The spike is usually a toothpick or skewer that serves two purposes. One, it prevents the neatly piled food from falling off the bottom piece of bread. And secondly, it’s sometimes used to count how many pintxos a customer has eaten.
Common toppings include cod, ham, peppers, and croquettes. They are also often accompanied by traditional drinks of Northern Spain, such as ciders, craft beers, and regional wines, like txakoli (white wine) & Rioja (red wine). As you can imagine, good food and alcoholic drinks are the perfect combination for pretty much any social setting, so pintxos are a quintessential part of Basque culture!
Other Bilbao Food Specialties
Aside from pintxos, Bilbao is also famous for its many seafood dishes. For example, some popular seafood specialties are Bacalao pil pil and Txipirones. Bacalao pil pil is salted cod prepared with chili peppers, garlic, and olive oil. Meanwhile, Txipirones is baby squid cooked in their ink, which gives new life to the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” or in this case, a dish before tasting it lol.
Furthermore, Bilbao is known for being home to 30+ Michelin-starred restaurants. You’ll find some right next to the Ribera Market, which is the largest covered food market in Europe, lined with hundreds of stalls!
As you can tell, there are a lot of Bilbao food specialties to look forward to. So, without further ado, here are the best Bilbao food tours!
7 Best Bilbao Food Tours (2024)
1. Premier Bilbao Gourmet Food Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 490+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 3 hours
The Premier Bilbao Gourmet Food Tour includes:
- Enjoying an assortment of pintxos at 5 different bars
- Sampling regional wines, beers, & hard cider at each bar
- Discovering Casco Viejo, the city’s medieval old quarter
- Learning all about the history of pintxos
- Local English-speaking guide
💃 Looking for the perfect introduction to Bilbao’s flourishing culinary and nightlife scene?
This is the most popular and one of the highest-rated Bilbao walking food tours offered! On this carefully curated tour, you’ll indulge in all kinds of pintxos — some of which are exclusive to this tour or have won awards for their tastiness!
In addition, your evening out includes sampling different drinks at each of the bars. And each bar has its own unique ambiance — some are the oldest ones in the city while others are more modern. So, if you’re looking for an amazing pintxos-filled tour throughout Bilbao, this is a tour you’ll want to check out!
P.S. I highly recommend doing this tour at the beginning of your visit so you know the layout of the city and can return to your favorite spots.
“Excellent! We went to the best places and had the best high end pintxos and wine. Also learned about the Basque culture and history as well. Small group size was perfect. Highly recommend this tour! Olaia was a fabulous guide! Best part of my trip.”
– Lindsay B. (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
2. High-End Food Tour of Bilbao
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 170+ 5-star reviews | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 3 hours
The High-End Food Tour of Bilbao includes:
- Feasting on the highest quality Basque tapas and cuisine for dinner
- Sampling wines, Basque craft beers & ciders
- Learning how to order Pintxos like a local
- Bilbao walking tour led by local chef
- NOTE: Early afternoon tours are offered on Friday & Saturday
👨🍳 Want to discover Bilbao’s gastronomy from a local chef?
Over 3 hours, your small group tour will walk from bar to bar, tasting traditional Basque tapas and seafood and enjoying curated wine pairings, Basque craft beers, and other traditional local drinks. And because you’ll a local chef will be leading you on this gastronomic journey, you’ll get a better understanding of the local food culture.
For example, your chef guide will explain the origin of each dish and drink, its ingredients, and how you can recreate some of the dishes at home! So, if you’re looking for an immersive gastronomical experience that goes beyond just sampling traditional Basque dishes, then this a wonderful tour to consider!
“This exceeded my expectations on all fronts- bars visited, food and drink, fellow tour participants and of course our guide Irene. A basque native who is also a professionally trained chef and sommelier – doubtful a better guide exists!…”
– Theresa P. (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
3. Bilbao Pintxos, Food & History Tour With a Local
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 180+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 3 hours
The Bilbao Pintxos, Food & History Tour With a Local includes:
- Enjoying an evening full of traditional Basque cuisine, pintxos, & treats
- Trying red and white wines, ciders, and cocktails
- Visiting crowd-favorite spots among locals
- Learning Bilbao’s traditions, history, and culture
🚶♂️Interested in traveling off the beaten path?
This excellent walking food tour in Bilbao not only allows you to sample incredible local cuisine but also to discover the hidden gems of Bilbao. Your local guide will take you around the lesser-known spots, provide insights into the current events, and help you understand the history of the beautiful Basque region.
And to make your experience more special, the tour takes a different route every time! So, if you’re keen on having a unique experience and want to delve into the culture of the Basque region, this is a Bilbao walking tour worth checking out!
“Adriá was a fine host, very knowledgeable and friendly. The pintxos were excellent and again thanks to our host whose selections were impeccable.”
– Stephen s. (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
4. Pintxo and Tapas Tour With Local Food Expert
⭐️ RATING: 5 out 5 – 35+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 3 hours
The Pintxo and Tapas Tour With Local Food Expert includes:
- Eating the pintxos, seafood, & other delicious regional food for lunch
- 4 – 5 drinks, including cider, white wine (txakoli), and Tempranillo
- Walking tour of Bilbao’s famous landmarks and plazas
- Learning about the rich culture and history of Bilbao
- Small group tour limited to 6 guests
🐙 Keen on mixing a bit of sightseeing with your food & wine?
During this 3-hour tour, you’ll be taken to various eateries and bars where you can indulge in delicious Basque treats like squid, octopus, and bacalao in pil-pil sauce as well as fine regional wines.
And as you wander through the new and old parts of the city, your expert guide will share anecdotes, explaining the history of Bilbao. So, if you’re looking for a memorable culinary experience that combines incredible food tasting with some cultural insights, such as the mesmerizing Guggenheim Museum Bilbao or Plaza Moyua, then be sure to check out this Bilbao walking tour.
“A wonderful walking tour with the sights and tastes of Bilbao. The guide was very personable. I loved the local wines and snacks.”
– Donald B. (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
5. Bilbao: Pinchos and Wine Tasting Tour With Local Guide
⭐️ RATING: 4.9 out of 5 — budget-friendly! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 3 hours
The Bilbao: Pinchos and Wine Tasting Tour With Local Guide includes:
- Enjoy eating 4 pintxos (local & gourmet) & taste three different wines
- Visit a wide range of bars in Bilbao (classic, historical, etc.)
- Learn about the traditions and symbols of the Basque Country
- Walk around Bilbao’s Old Town & financial district
- Spend time exploring the bustling Ribera Market
🇪🇸 On a tighter budget but still want to foray into Bilbao’s gastronomy?
This is a fantastic 3-hour pintxos and wine-tasting tour that lets you experience a little bit of everything. You’ll sample a variety of flavorful pintxos, paired with some of the best Basque wines, and traverse through the city’s Old Quarter, the economic center, and the crowd-favorite Ribera Market. So, if you’re searching for a comprehensive tour that lets you see a little bit of everything but is also budget-friendly, this is an excellent choice!
“Our guide Oscar was absolutely amazing! He took us to some traditional & more modern bars where we tried beautiful wine & pinchos. Oscars knowledge of Bilbao was incredible & he shared so much information with us about the history of beautiful Bilbao. Highly recommend this tour, only wish it was for longer.”
– Tour guEST (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
Day Tours From Bilbao Spain
For those looking to take a break from city life, there are a couple of day tours from Bilbao Spain that are worth checking out. One is to Riojo, which is Spain’s most prolific wine region and has hundreds of wineries in the area! Another popular place for a day trip is the coastal area of San Sebastion, which is regarded as one of the best foodie spots!
So, whether you’re looking for a more comprehensive wine tour that includes more wine tasting than the tours in Bilbao or just want to have a change in pace, these are 2-day tours I recommend exploring
6. Private La Rioja Tour of 3 Wineries
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 90+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 8 – 9 hours
The Private La Rioja Tour of 3 Wineries includes:
- Visiting an underground winery & a family-owned winery
- 9 wine tastings of Rioja wines
- Olive oil tasting w/ chorizo, fresh bread, & cheese
- Visit the striking winery designed by famed architect Frank Gehry
- Lunch + Walking tour of the medieval town of Laguardia
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Private tour w/ transport in Mercedes Van
🍷 Seeking the ultimate wine lovers’ experience in Northern Spain?
On this full-day private tour, you’ll enjoy sweeping scenic views of the region, sample prestigious wines that are exclusive to this tour, and explore the medieval town of Laguardia on foot after enjoying a full lunch.
Plus, to ensure you have the most stress-free experience, round-trip transport from your housing accommodations in Bilbao is included. Thus, if you want to truly experience heaven in the form of wine, this private wine-tasting tour is for you!
“The vineyards that we visited were amazing, especially one with an extensive network of underground callers. Zach was very knowledgeable and considerate, and we could not have asked for a better guide! We really enjoyed ourselves on this tour and highly recommend it to anyone from the casual wine drinker to the wine lover!”
– Tour guEST (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
🍷 NOTE: For wine lovers or those looking to get out of the city for a bit, you can learn specifically about the wine-tasting tours to Rioja that leave from Bilbao here.
7. San Sebastian Private Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 out 5 – only 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 8 hours
The San Sebastian Private Tour includes:
- Sample local Txakoli white wine paired with/ traditional anchovies & tuna
- Tour a family winery in the coastal town of Getaria
- A walking tour of San Sebastian‘s Old Town
- Enjoy pintxos from various pubs in San Sebastian for lunch
- Stop at Fuenterrabia on the French border for drinks
- Pick up & round-trip transport in a luxury vehicle
- Customizable private tour with only your group
🐚 Want to indulge in some wine tasting from Spain’s coast?
Throughout this full-day private tour, you will be picked up directly from your housing in Bilbao and transported to the lovely coastal town of Getaria. Here, you’ll visit a family winery, tasting local Txakoli white wine and seafood. Afterward, you’ll make your way to San Sebastian and explore the stunning region!
From the historic Old Town and colorful buildings that make up “Petit France” to hopping from bar to bar, feasting on traditional pintxos, you’ll experience it all! And to cap off the day, you’ll visit the distinctly shaped La Concha Beach! So, if you’re looking for a relaxing day filled with the best food, wine, and coastal views in the region, this is a fun tour to consider!
“We did a day trip into Basque Country with wine and pintxos tasting. It was amazing!! Irene is so knowledgeable and passionate about the basque region and added amazing narrative to our trip. Highly recommend this to anyone staying in the Bilbao area!”
– Tour guEST (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
Bilbao Food Tours Comparison
Don’t remember the difference between each of the tours? Me neither! Here’s a little visual chart that gives a quick overview of the best food tours and wine tours in Bilbao!
PRO TIP: If you’re struggling to read it on your phone, try turning your phone sideways so the information reads across the long side!
| Tour Name | Duration | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Bilbao Gourmet Food Tour | 3 hrs | > Visit an eclectic mix of 5 bars in Bilbao > Taste 1-2 pintxos & drinks at each bar > Walk through Casco Viejo, the medieval quarter |
| High End Food Tour of Bilbao | 3 hrs | > Sample wine, craft beer, & other traditional drinks > Try the best seafood, miniature cuisine, & pintxos a > Bilbao walking tour led by a local chef who provides background information on each dish |
| Bilbao Pintxos, Food & History Tour | 3 hrs | > Make 5 stops to try Bilbao pintxos & seafood > Sample a few of the regional wines > Personalized, small group tour w/ lots of sightseeing |
| Pintxo and Tapas Tour | 3 hrs | > Make 5 stops to try Bilbao pintxos & seafood > Sample a few the regional wines > Personalized, small group tour w/ lots of sightseeing |
| Bilbao: Pinchos and Wine Tasting Tour | 3 hrs | > Eat 4 pintxos & 3 different wines (regional & local) > Visit Bilbao’s Old Town, Plaza Nueva, Ensanche > Stop at La Ribera Market & most emblematic bars |
| Private La Rioja Tour of 3 Wineries | 8 – 9 hrs | > Tour 3 wineries and participate in 9 wine tastings > Delicious lunch & walking tour in Laguardia > Customizable and private experience w/ transport |
| San Sebastian Private Tour | 8 hrs | > Tour & try txakoli wine at a family winery in Getaria > Explore & eat pintxos in scenic San Sebastian > Customizable, private tour with hotel pick up/drop off |
What Food Tours in Bilbao Are Good for Avoiding Crowds?
The High End Food Tour of Bilbao and Pintxo and Tapas Tour are the two food tours in Bilbao that are good for avoiding crowds. They limit their tours to 8 and 6 guests, respectively.
But, if you’re looking to avoid crowded spots around Bilbao, the Bilbao Pintxos, Food & History Tour travels off the beaten path. And then the two-day trip tours are private tours, so those are the best for those who desire an exclusive experience.
Which Places Provide the Best Food Tours in Bilbao for Groups?
Premier Bilbao Gourmet Food Tour and Bilbao: Pinchos and Wine Tasting Tour provide the best food tours in Bilbao for larger groups.
Is a Food Tour in Bilbao Worth It?
From my biased perspective, doing a food tour is worth it. I know some experiences are expensive, but for everything you receive, it’s a pretty good return on investment. And if I’m being honest, I’ve never walked away from a tour and thought, “Ah, that was a waste of money or That wasn’t worth it.” These excursions and experiences always enhance my entire trip and memory of the city.
For example, I believe having the opportunity to explore and learn about a city’s history with a local, who is passionate about what they do, gives you a completely different perspective of the destination than if you were to explore independently. Not to mention, doing a food tour at the beginning can also give you insider info on the best places to visit for the rest of your trip, which I also find quite valuable. Therefore, if you’re looking for a unique and immersive experience, I highly recommend doing a food and/or wine tour in Bilbao.
Tips for Planning Your Food Tour in Bilbao
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you plan your foodie experience in Bilbao.
- ✅ Book in advance: Some of the tours fill up quickly, especially if you’re traveling during the peak summer season. So be sure to book your tour as early as possible to get the dates and times you want.
- 🌞 Check the weather & wear comfy shoes: Each of the tours involves a lot of walking, so make sure to check out the local forecast and dress appropriately.
- 💧 Bring water: Even though you’ll likely be drinking some alcoholic beverages and snacking on plenty of local cuisine, it’s still important to bring along some water with you. Also, it’ll help cleanse your palette between tastings!
- ⏰ Check meeting points & times: Make sure you double-check your meeting point and time before the tour. Most tours have a designated spot where you’ll meet, so be sure to look that up ahead of time to see if it’s near or far from your housing accommodations.
- 😅 Keep an open mind and enjoy yourself: You might be tasting foods that you’ve never considered trying or that look completely different from what you’re used to, try to keep an open mind. But, if you’re uncomfortable, just let your guide know and they may be able to make adjustments for you. Regardless, remember to enjoy yourself and embrace the experience! I think the best way to discover a culture is through its food!
Where to Stay in Bilbao
Haven’t booked your housing accommodations yet? Here are some places to consider staying at. Also, I’m happy to report that housing in Bilbao is so much cheaper than in most other places in Western Europe… I’m looking at you Paris, Milan, and Switzerland.
Low-Cost Stay
- Sercotel Coliseo Bilbao — 4-star hotel centrally located near train | ⭐️ 8.5 / 10
- Hotel Vincci Consulado de Bilbao — 4-star hotel by Guggenheim! | ⭐️ 9 / 10
Mid-Range Stay
- Hotel Tayko Bilbao — 4-star hotel with Michelin-star restaurant | ⭐️ 9.2 / 10
- Catalonia Gran Via Bilbao — 4-star hotel w/ spa services| ⭐️ 9.6 / 10
Fancy Stays
- Hotel Carlton — elegant 5-star hotel that’s centrally located | ⭐️ 9 / 10
- Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao — 5-star hotel with full-spa service | ⭐️ 9.6 / 10
Feel free to click these buttons to head to your favorite booking platform and see additional housing options there.
Bilbao Tours: FAQ
In my non-food-critic opinion, Bilbao has some of the best food and wine in Spain! I mean, with the rich Basque culture, you’ll find plenty of traditional dishes prepared with unique and fresh ingredients! Plus, there is plenty of local wine to pair perfectly with your meal! 😉
Personally, I loved visiting Bilbao for so many reasons. Not only does the city have such a beautiful culture, but compared to major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, Bilbao is so much calmer and more relaxing! It’s a delight for those keen on branching away from the touristy bits of Spain! That said, I was a BIG fan of the Guggenheim Museum before I visited, so that was something that also made Bilbao worth visiting for me!
The best time to visit Bilbao is between June and September. The average high temperature is usually in the 70s°F and the average low temperatures are in the mid-50s°F, making it a great time to explore the city without feeling too hot or cold. Plus, this is when there’s the least amount of rainy days.
I recommend spending at least 2 full days in Bilbao, but 4 is preferable if you want to explore without feeling too rushed.
Other popular attractions and things to do in Bilbao include visiting the Museum of Fine Arts in Bilbao, admiring the city’s striking architecture, boating down the Nervión River, or doing a bike tour of Bilbao.
Bilbao food tours can range anywhere from $80 (€73) – $150 (€137), but the average Bilbao food tour costs $110 or €100. That said, if you do one of the day tours from Bilbao to Rioja or San Sebastian, the prices increase to ~ $330 USD. This is because these tours are private and last all day long.
Wrap-Up: 7 Best Bilbao Food Tours (2024)
Bilbao has a lively gastronomic scene, filled with plenty of delicious dishes to try and fantastic restaurants to explore. And there’s no better introduction to the city than tasting traditional pintxos, sampling regional wines and drinks, and discovering the exuberant Basque culture with a knowledgeable local guide! So, if you’re looking for a unique and delicious way to experience Bilbao’s culture, be sure to check out one of these amazing food tours!
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