10 Things to do in Bilbao with Kids

In the cosmopolitan city of Bilbao there are endless things to see and do. However, it is not always easy to adapt the trips so that children can also enjoy the experience.

So, if you are thinking of taking a family vacation to this special city, pay attention because I'm going to tell you 10 things to do in Bilbao with the little ones, so that you can all make the most of your trip and create unforgettable memories.

Doña Casilda Park is a large natural space in the heart of the city center. This beautiful park has a great variety of vegetation, sculptures, animals and even houses the Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao.

In this huge green area you can also find a classic style merry-go-round that is sure to immediately catch the attention of children. In addition, they will have several spaces to play, run and have fun such as the basketball courts or the children's playground. If you are lucky, you may be able to see some of the performances that sometimes take place in the white pergola located next to the fountain.

Although the main attraction of this park is undoubtedly its beautiful pond, which is usually inhabited by friendly ducks that swim peacefully in its waters. In fact, this caused this place to be given the nickname of the Park of the Ducks.

A fantastic and fun way to explore Bilbao with the little ones is to take one of the best tours offered in the area, which consists of a bicycle tour through the coastal landscapes of Bilbao.

This way of getting to know the most interesting places in the area is not only practical, but also very entertaining and the kids will love it. In addition, you will be able to get to the sites more quickly, so you will have more time to visit all the corners to discover.

During the tour you will be able to contemplate emblematic places such as the Old Port of Getxo, the Galea Lighthouse or the impressive Vizcaya Suspension Bridge while the guide tells you some interesting stories about the city. Of course, you will also have some free time to explore this charming area on your own.

Taking a stroll while getting to know a new city is something that usually pleases adults, but perhaps the little ones don't enjoy a long walk as much. That's why hiring a boat tour in Bilbao can be the perfect way to contemplate the beautiful architecture of this city in a comfortable and fun way.

More and more companies are offering this service, as this original plan is becoming more popular, especially among those who visit Bilbao during the summer. One of the best known is Bilboats, where you can buy a ticket for a ride along the estuary, rent a private boat for groups and even, if you adults decide to go out in Bilbao at night, attend a party on board.

Generally, the tour starts at the pier of the Plaza Pío Baroja and from there begins a fun boat trip that crosses the city and the kids are sure to love it.

Practical information

• Where it is located: on the Bilbao estuary. The boats leave from the pier at Plaza Pío Baroja.
• Timetable: the timetable changes according to the time of year and is published on their website. An option if you want to make sure of the schedule before starting your trip is to write to their email and they will inform you of the departure times.
• Price: general admission for adults is 14€ and for children under 10 years old 10€.

If there is one thing that the little ones usually enjoy, it is sweets. And for this reason, the next plan that I am going to propose if you travel to Bilbao with children is that you go to a bakery and ask for the star sweet of Bilbao pastries, the carolina.

The carolina is a delicacy made with a puff pastry base filled with pastry cream and topped with a high tower of meringue. According to legend, this delicious dessert was born more than a century ago when an experienced pastry chef wanted to surprise his daughter by creating a new sweet for her birthday.

Since then, this sweet has been at the top of the list of the most typical ones in the Biscayan capital. Two of the most legendary places to try this delicacy are the Don Manuel pastry shop, which is famous for selling one of the best carolinas in the city, and the Arrese pastry shop, which has been open since 1852 and also makes some of the best valued sweets in Bilbao.

If after tasting this wonderful dessert you are left wanting to continue exploring the fantastic Basque cuisine, I recommend you book an interesting gastronomic tour of Bilbao, in which you will be guided through the best bars and restaurants while an expert tells you curiosities about the history of the city.

A plan that is sure not to leave any child indifferent is to visit the spectacular Butrón Castle. This imposing medieval fortress is located atop a hill on top of some rocks and is surrounded by a mysterious forest, creating a scene that looks like something out of a movie.

Since the sixteenth century, this castle belonged to the lineage of Butron and in its vicinity there were continuous struggles between two of the noble factions of Biscay. When the violent disputes finally ended, the fortress was abandoned until the end of the 19th century when they decided to restore it. Unfortunately, it is not possible to enter the interior of the castle, but contemplating the impressive scenery from the outside is definitely worth the walk.

To get there there are two options. The first and fastest is to go by car, as this way it takes only 20 minutes to get there from Bilbao. But if you do not travel with your own vehicle do not worry, because from the city there are options to get by bus to the castle directly.

The Azkuna Zentroa is the Center of Society and Contemporary Culture of Bilbao, and although this may sound like a too serious plan to do with the little ones, its building contains a surprise that they will surely love.

This place is currently a multipurpose space that offers different cultural activities such as exhibitions, concerts, screenings and even workshops for children. Formerly, this structure served as a wine and oil warehouse, and after being abandoned for several decades, the Bilbao City Council decided to restore it and give it a new use to turn it into a cultural space.

But the main attraction of the monument and the reason why it usually catches the attention of children is because of the 43 columns that it houses in it. These columns support the three interior buildings and their particularity lies in their colorful and colorful shapes, as each one represents a culture, architecture, war or religion in a very visual and original way.

Practical information

• Where: located at Plaza de Arriquíbar, 4.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 21:00 h.
• Price: the price of the ticket depends on the exhibition or cultural activity you are going to see. Check on the website.

Located next to the Casco Viejo, the Etxebarria Park is one of the largest green areas of the city. As it is located on the side of a hill, from there you will have extraordinary views of Bilbao and you will be able to contemplate some of its most emblematic buildings, such as the Arriaga Theater.

In this park you can enjoy a wide expanse of grass where children can play, run or even take the opportunity to have an excellent picnic. In addition, this park also houses an area with sports facilities, a basketball court and two children's play areas for the enjoyment of the little ones.

If you are lucky, maybe you will coincide with some of the activities that take place in this great natural space. During the Semana Grande of Bilbao, the park is filled with the famous barracas and you can enjoy a large number of attractions, bars, churrerías and booths with games of skill.

If, on the other hand, you are going to make your trip during the month of June, you may coincide with the Magic and Witchcraft Market, a fantastic festival in which numerous activities such as storytelling, theaters, live music concerts and even fire shows are organized.

If your kids are soccer fans, they will most likely enjoy touring the great San Mames Stadium, the home of Athletic Bilbao.

Tour the stadium that was once dubbed as the cathedral of soccer, a structure with room for no less than 53,331 spectators and was awarded in 2015 as the best sports building in the world. Inside is also a museum dedicated to the trajectory of its soccer team and the evolution of the stadium that houses it.

The official tour of San Mamés can be done either with or without a guide, although the first option is much more complete, since for 45 minutes an expert will accompany you through your tour while telling you all the secrets that this impressive stadium holds.

Practical information

• Where: Rafael Moreno "Pitxitxi" street, s/n.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:30 h.
• Price: the approximate price of the guided tour is 20 ¤ for adults and 8 ¤ for children from 6 to 14 years old, while the price of the audio-guided tour is 14 ¤ for adults and 5 ¤ for children from 6 to 14 years old.

Another entertaining plan for the whole family is to go up to one of the most famous viewpoints in Bilbao, the Artxanda viewpoint. This is located on one of the mountains that protect the city and also happens to have the distinction of being a double viewpoint, because from one side you can see the city, while in the other direction is the Txorierri Valley.

Artxanda has become one of the most lively entertainment areas of the city and is especially known for hosting some of the best restaurants in Bilbao. So if you decide to make this plan, I encourage you to take the opportunity to try the wonderful Basque cuisine in one of its establishments.

To climb up to this area of the city, the most comfortable and most fun for the little ones will be to take the famous Artxanda funicular, which will take you quickly to the top. In fact, there is also the possibility of hiring a funicular excursion to the viewpoint, in which in addition to accompanying you, an expert will talk to you about the history of Bilbao and guide you on a tour of the Old Town. Once at the top, you can enjoy the wonderful views and contemplate some of the most representative icons of Bilbao such as the estuary, the imposing Zubizuri Bridge or the spectacular Guggenheim Museum.

In the outskirts of Bilbao is one of the most curious bridges in the country, and is that the Vizcaya Suspension Bridge not only allows you to join Getxo and Portugalete, but also has the honor of being the first ferry bridge in the world.

There are two ways to cross this bridge if you decide to pay him a visit and both are very different but equally fun. The first one is perfect if your children are not afraid of heights, as it consists of going up the upper walkway that is no less than 45 meters above the water and walk across it on foot. This way of crossing it allows you to enjoy wonderful views of the Bilbao Estuary.

The second option would be to do it on the ferry that is located at the bottom. Riding on this "little boat", you will cross the estuary hanging over its waters, an original way that will surely surprise the little ones. In addition, the ferry also allows you to take cars on it, so you won't have any problems if you travel with your own vehicle.

Practical information

• Where is it located: in the capital city of Bilbao. The concerts take place in the Kobetamendi area, on Mount Cobetas.
• When: the ferry is active 24 hours a day and the opening hours of the panoramic walkway are from 10:00 to 14:00 h and from 16:00 to 20:00 h.
• Price: the price of the basic ticket to the walkway is 9,50 ¤ for adults and 7,50 ¤ for children from 5 to 15 years old. The price of the ferry ride changes according to the schedule and is available from €0.50 per person.