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 trips so that children can also enjoy the experience.

So, if you're thinking of taking a family holiday 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 centre. This beautiful park has a wide variety of vegetation, sculptures, animals and even houses the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum.

In this huge green area you will also find a classic-style merry-go-round that is sure to immediately catch the children's attention. In addition, they will have several spaces to play, run around and have fun, such as the basketball courts or the children's play area. If you're lucky, you might even be able to catch one of the performances that sometimes take place on the white pergola 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 is why this place was given the nickname of Parque de los Patos (Duck Park).

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 around 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 are sure to love it. In addition, you will be able to get to the places more quickly, so you will have more time to visit all the corners to discover.

During the tour you will be able to see 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 adults like to do, but the little ones might not enjoy a long walk as much. That's why hiring a boat tour around 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 trip along the estuary, hire a private boat for groups and even, if you adults decide to go out in Bilbao at night, attend a party on board.

The tour usually starts at the pier in Plaza Pío Baroja and from there begins a fun boat trip through the city that the kids are sure to love.

Practical information

• Where: on the Bilbao estuary. The boats leave from the pier in Plaza Pío Baroja.
• Opening times: the opening times change depending on the time of year and are published on the website. An option if you want to make sure of the timetable before you start your trip is to write to their email address and they will inform you of the departure times.
• Price: general admission for adults is €14 and for children under 10 €10.

If there is one thing the little ones usually enjoy, it is sweets. And for this reason, the next plan I'm going to suggest if you're travelling to Bilbao with children is that you go to a patisserie and order the star sweet of Bilbao's confectionery, the carolina.

The carolina is a delicacy made with a puff pastry base filled with pastry cream and topped with a tall 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 topped 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 patisserie, which is famous for selling one of the best carolinas in the city, and the Arrese patisserie, which has been open since 1852 and also makes some of the best-valued sweets in Bilbao.

If after tasting this wonderful dessert you still want to continue exploring the fantastic Basque cuisine, I recommend you book an interesting gastronomic tour of Bilbao, where you will be guided through the best bars and restaurants while an expert tells you interesting facts 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 on top of a hill on top of some rocks and is surrounded by a mysterious forest, creating a scene that looks like something out of a film.

Since the 16th century, this castle has belonged to the Butrón lineage and in its vicinity there was continuous fighting between two of the noble factions of Biscay. When the violent disputes finally ended, the fortress was abandoned until it was restored at the end of the 19th century. Unfortunately, it is not possible to enter the interior of the castle, but contemplating the impressive landscape from the outside makes it well worth the walk.

There are two options for getting there. The first and quickest is to go by car, as it takes just 20 minutes to get there from Bilbao. But if you don't have your own vehicle, don't worry, because from the city there are options for getting to the castle directly by bus.

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

This place is currently a multi-purpose space that offers different cultural activities such as exhibitions, concerts, screenings and even workshops for children. Formerly, this structure was used 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 attracts the attention of children is because of the 43 columns that it houses. These columns support the three interior buildings and their particularity lies in their colourful and eye-catching 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-Sunday, 9am-9pm.
• Price: the price of admission depends on the exhibition or cultural activity you are going to see. Consult the website.

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

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

If you're lucky, you might be able to coincide with some of the activities that take place in this great natural space. During Bilbao's Semana Grande, the park fills up with the famous barracas and you can enjoy a large number of attractions, bars, churro bars and stalls with games of skill.

If, on the other hand, you are travelling during the month of June, you may be able to coincide with the Magic and Witchcraft Market, a fantastic festival with numerous activities such as storytelling, theatres, live music concerts and even fire shows.

If your kids are football fans, chances are they'll enjoy a tour of the great San Mamés Stadium, the home of Athletic Bilbao.

Tour the stadium that was once dubbed the cathedral of football, a structure that seats no less than 53,331 spectators and was awarded in 2015 as the best sports building in the world. Inside, there is also a museum dedicated to the history of the football team and the evolution of the stadium that houses it.

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

Practical information

• Where: Calle Rafael Moreno "Pitxitxi", 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 fun plan for the whole family is to go up to one of Bilbao's most famous viewpoints, the Artxanda viewpoint. It is located on one of the mountains that protect the city and it also happens to have the peculiarity of being a double viewpoint, as from one of its sides you can see the city, while in the other direction you can see the Txorierri Valley.

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

To go up to this area of the city, the most comfortable and fun way for the little ones is to take the famous Artxanda funicular railway, which will take you quickly to the top. In fact, you can also book a funicular excursion to the viewpoint, where you will be accompanied by an expert who will tell 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 Bilbao's most representative icons such as the estuary, the imposing Zubizuri Bridge and the spectacular Guggenheim Museum.

On the outskirts of Bilbao is one of the most curious bridges in the country. The Vizcaya Suspension Bridge not only connects Getxo and Portugalete, but also has the honour of being the first ferry bridge in the world.

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

The second option is to take the ferry at the bottom. Riding on this "little boat", you will cross the estuary hanging over its waters, an original way of crossing that is sure to surprise the little ones. What's more, the ferry also allows you to take cars on board, so you won't have any problems if you're travelling in your own car.

Practical information

• Where: in the city of Bilbao. The concerts take place in the Kobetamendi area, on Mount Cobetas.
• When: the ferry is open 24 hours a day and the panoramic walkway is open from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00.
• Price: the basic ticket price for the walkway is €9.50 for adults and €7.50 for children aged 5 to 15. The price of the ferry ride varies according to the timetable and is available from €0.50 per person.