View of a pedestrian bridge crossing the Nervión River in Bilbao, lined with colorful historic buildings and a market hall under a clear sky.

Bilbao, Spain

Cruises to Bilbao, Spain

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Things to do in Bilbao

For centuries, Bilbao was all grit, cranes and Atlantic industry… until the Guggenheim came along and turned the city into a global headline. Today, it’s a Basque blend of bold avant-garde architecture, creative energy and delicious local txakoli wine worth planning your next trip around.

Explore things to do in Bilbao
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  • A high-angle view of Bilbao showing the Guggenheim Museum’s sculptural design, a tall modern tower, residential neighborhoods and the Nervión River winding through green hills.

    Wander through the curvy titanium waves of the Guggenheim Museum.

  • Close-up view of historic buildings in Bilbao’s Old Town, featuring colorful walls and decorative wrought-iron balconies under a bright blue sky.

    Explore the Old Quarter (Casco Viejo) where medieval lanes, pintxo bars and street life converge in one fascinating blur.

  • Coastal view along the Bay of Biscay featuring rocky cliffs, pine trees and a small pier under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.

    Take a drive up the Biscayan Coast to the wild cliffs, steep beaches and dramatic vistas of the Biscayan Coast.

  • Close-up of traditional Basque pintxos made with bread, cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, garnished with crushed pistachios and secured with toothpicks.

    Elevate your palate with Basque culinary traditions and let your taste buds lead the way.

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Shore excursions to explore in Bilbao

Choose your path: slow city stroll, cliffside panorama, wine‑with‑history mash‑up. Bilbao has it all, and a Princess excursion is the best way to experience it.

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  • Close-up view of a neoclassical building façade with tall Corinthian columns and decorative stonework partially shaded by leafy trees.

    Easy Bilbao

    Sit back in the coach and let the old mining and ship‑yard lines of Bilbao pass you by as you trace the estuary and cruise down the Gran Vía. Snap a photo of the museum from afar before stepping into the Old Quarter where history keeps a pintxo in one hand and a beer in the other. Minimal walking, maximum ‘I’m loving this’ moments.

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  • Stone plaza in Bilbao’s Old Quarter featuring a Gothic church façade, colorful apartment buildings, a small fountain and pedestrians strolling nearby.

    Bilbao Old Quarter Walk

    This one’s all in the footwork: gothic cathedrals, tapas spots and streets that feel like open-air galleries. Your guide leads you through Bilbao’s Old Quarter, from postmodern curves to medieval corners — with wine, bites and boutique stops in between. It’s everything a walk should be. Come curious, leave charmed.

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  • View of the stone bridge and steep stairway leading to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe hermitage perched atop a rocky island on the Basque coast.

    Bermeo, Guernica & the Cantabrian Coast

    Outside Bilbao, the Basque coast gets wilder, steeper and more storied. You’ll start with a photo stop overlooking the rocky islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, (a jaw-dropper long before Game of Thrones filmed here). In Bermeo, time slows down among stone streets, church bells and fishing boats. Then it’s on to Guernica, where a tree became a symbol of freedom, a town became a target and Picasso turned tragedy into art.

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  • View of Bilbao’s hillside with red-roofed apartment buildings and a funicular railway ascending through dense green forest toward Mount Artxanda.

    Panoramic Bilbao and Gorka Izagirre Winery

    Begin above the skyline at Mount Artxanda, where Bilbao stretches out like a city-sized sculpture garden. Then, swap concrete for vineyards as you wind into the countryside for a tour and tasting at Gorka Izagirre (a sleek, family-run winery where tradition meets tech). Expect crisp txakoli, bold reds and local cheeses that you won’t have any problem spoiling your appetite for.

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  • The Zurriola Bridge in San Sebastián featuring white and green Art Deco lampposts, spanning the Urumea River with historic sandstone buildings in the background.

    Best of San Sebastian & Hondarribia

    Two towns, two vibes: Hondarribia gives you medieval walls and old-world calm; San Sebastian hits you with surf, skyline and the kind of food scene that rewrites your standards. You’ll walk, taste, wander and wonder why anyone would ever consider skipping this delightful destination.

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  • Scenic view of Biscay Bay with blue waters, rocky shoreline and forested hills dotted with small buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

    Bermeo, Bizcaia Coast & City Drive

    As a tour that moves from city spark to sea spray, this one checks every box. Start with a drive past Bilbao’s boldest buildings — including a close-up stop at the Guggenheim — before veering off to the Biscayan coast. In Bermeo, you’ll explore winding streets and harbour views, then sit down to a Basque-style lunch with wine and regional specialties. It’s culture, cuisine and coastline; you’ll be fed in every sense of the word.

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Explore all Bilbao shore excursions

Explore itineraries with cruises to Bilbao

Your ship docks at the Getxo terminal, which means a shuttle or metro ride into the city. But it’s worth every second, and the passing scenery is almost an excursion-level adventure in and of itself. For European or Mediterranean cruise itineraries, this stop offers a serious taste of the Basque country, modern art, wild coastlines and perhaps a new favorite dish.

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La Coruña, Spain historic city hall building.

7-Day Spain & France

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Santiago de Compostela, Spain, cathedral.

14-Day Spain, France & Portugal with Total Solar Eclipse

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Azores, Portugal

22-Day Moroccan & Iberian Grand Adventure

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Discover Bilbao on your next cruise

Steel, stone, surf and bite-sized brilliance — Bilbao has as much variety as a plate full of tapas. One moment you’re beneath the titanium curves of the Guggenheim, the next you’re wandering cobbled lanes in the Old Quarter or eyeing the Atlantic from a bridge that’s older than your great-grandparents. With Princess Cruises, you arrive at the gateway to Basque country ready to taste, wander and wonder your way through a city that’s reinvented itself into something unforgettable.

Cruise to Bilbao
Stone stairway leading down to the rocky path of Gaztelugatxe island in Spain, bordered by turquoise waves and green cliffs under a bright blue sky.

Follow the winding stone stairway to Gaztelugatxe, where sea and sky meet in perfect harmony.

Giant dog-shaped sculpture covered in colorful flowers standing near the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, with people walking around its base.

Meet Bilbao’s floral guardian, where thousands of blooms bring art and nature together in the heart of the city.

A smiling couple stands at the railing of a Princess® cruise ship, enjoying the open sea and blue sky.

A couple stands together on the wooden deck of a Princess® cruise ship, gazing out at the open sea beneath a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.

Front-facing view of a Princess® cruise ship sailing through calm ocean waters.

Cut through the world’s waterways and experience the planet’s most exciting coastlines from a sea-side perspective; our fleet is your luxury-and-entertainment-packed transport to adventure.

Discover our ships

Step aboard any Princess® ship and discover your new favorite way to travel. Each vessel is a floating playground of flavor, comfort and top-deck experiences. Enjoy freshly prepared local dishes, Broadway-caliber entertainment, oceanview fitness and wellness studios, family programming and beds so comfortable they’ve won awards. 


No two ships are identical, but they all share one mission: turn your vacation into a standing ovation.

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Cruises to Bilbao FAQs

*The port location is subject to change. Please check itinerary details after you book for more information.

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