Where To Stay and Play in Bilbao Spain

Where to stay and one way to see the city in Basque Country.

May 4, 2026

By Shivana Maharaj

City Style and Living Hotel Zenit Bilbao Spain room — Courtesy Zenit Hoteles

Where To Stay: Hotel Zenit Bilbao

Conveniently located in the city centre, across from Plaza la Casilla and close to Bilbao’s Gran Via and the Guggenheim Museum, the 65 rooms are modern and clean with an excellent buffet breakfast. You’ll adore waking up to pan con tomate (tomato and bread, a typical Spanish breakfast) and strong caffe latte.

Autonomia Kalea, 58, Abando, 48012 Bilbao

City Style and Living Basque Radisson Bilbao Suite — / Courtesy Radisson Bilbao

Where To Stay: Radisson Collection Hotel, Gran Via Bilbao

Located within easy walking distance of Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum and old town, this 137 room and suite property buzzes with a steady stream of business and leisure travellers. Rich blue and grey tones, streamline rooms, and my junior suite, with separate living area is delightfully spacious. Eneko Basque Bilbao, the signature restaurant, is inspired by namesake Michelin-starred chef, Eneko Atxa, boasting modern Basque favourites like boquerones in vinegar, grilled hake fillet with bilbaina sauce and Gildas. Each morning, enjoy the refined breakfast buffet with great selection, or order from the à la carte menu. A spa, fitness centre and meeting facilities round out the services.

Diego Lopez Haroko Kale Nagusia, 4, Abando, 48001 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain

City Style and Living Basque Eneko REstaurant Radisson Bilbao — / Courtesy Radisson Bilbao

More Info

Tourism Spain

Bilbao Tourism

Bilbao cityscape — / Courtesy Bilbao Tourism

HOW TO GET AROUND: 2026 Nissan Qashqai

Driving the 2026 Nissan Qashqai made us feel at home in the spacious cabin, especially the ample cargo and leg space thanks to the Divide-N-Hide cargo system, that seemed made for large suitcases that crossed the Atlantic.

Categorized as a mild hybrid SUV with e-POWER, driving from town to town in Gipuzkoa was a cinch with up to 7.3 L/100 km on highways and fuel efficiency of up to 6.7 L/100 km plus the 1.5L VC-Turbo engine. Over the course of the road trip, minimal gas station stops were made.

Thankfully fall weather was cooperative (read: super sunny) in the region, as rainfall is usually common this time of year. Still, with the All-Wheel Drive system, the vehicle can quickly adapt to changing weather conditions like slick roads from rain showers. An overall winner for road trips, city and every day driving.

This original article first appeared in the SPRING 2026 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.