Things to Do in Bilbao in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Bilbao
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect shoulder season pricing - accommodation runs 25-35% cheaper than summer peak months, and you can still book quality places just 2-3 weeks out instead of the 8-10 weeks you'd need for July or August
- Semana Santa (Holy Week) brings the city alive with processions, traditional foods, and a genuine local atmosphere that's more authentic than tourist-focused summer festivals. The pintxos bars are packed with bilbaínos, not just visitors
- Comfortable walking weather for exploring the old quarter - those 18°C (64°F) afternoons are ideal for the steep climbs up to Begoña Basilica or wandering the Casco Viejo's seven streets without the sweaty exhaustion of summer
- The surrounding Basque countryside is genuinely stunning in April - hillsides are green from spring rains, coastal paths like the one from Bakio to Gaztelugatxe are walkable without summer crowds, and you can actually get reservations at cider houses during txotx season
Considerations
- Rain is genuinely unpredictable - those 10 rainy days don't tell the full story because you'll get sudden showers that last 15-45 minutes, clear up, then return. The Nervión estuary amplifies the dampness, so even dry days can feel grey
- Semana Santa week (April 13-20 in 2026) means many local businesses close Thursday through Monday, museums adjust hours, and the city gets noticeably busier. If you're here specifically that week, book everything in advance
- Evening temperatures drop faster than you'd expect - that 8°C (46°F) low combined with 70% humidity creates a bone-chilling cold after sunset, especially near the river. Locals call it the 'Bilbao damp' for good reason
Best Activities in April
Guggenheim Museum and Modern Architecture Walking Routes
April's mild temperatures make this the ideal month for architectural walks without summer's heat or winter's rain constantly interrupting. The morning light on Gehry's titanium curves is spectacular between 9-11am when UV is lower. Combine the Guggenheim with walks along the Abandoibarra waterfront to see Calatrava's Zubizuri bridge and Isozaki's towers. The variable weather actually works in your favor - those shifting clouds create dramatic photography conditions that flat summer light can't match.
Casco Viejo Pintxos Crawls
April is peak season for spring ingredients in Basque cuisine - white asparagus from Navarra, lamb from the hills, fresh anchovies arriving from Bermeo. The pintxos bars in Plaza Nueva and Calle Jardines are busy with locals celebrating spring, not just summer tourists. Evening crawls work perfectly with April weather - start around 7pm when places open, and the cool evening air between bars is refreshing rather than freezing. Thursdays and Saturdays see the most locals out.
Coastal Hiking from Plentzia to Gorliz
The coastal path between these two towns is genuinely spectacular in April when wildflowers cover the clifftops and the green hills meet the Cantabrian Sea. Summer brings brown, dried grass, but April keeps everything lush from those 10 rainy days. The 10km (6.2 miles) walk takes 2.5-3 hours at a comfortable pace. Take the metro to Plentzia (line 1, about 40 minutes from city center, costs around 2 euros), walk the coast, then catch the metro back from Gorliz. Start by 10am to avoid afternoon showers.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe Island Hermitage Visits
April hits the sweet spot before summer tour buses arrive - you'll share those 241 stone steps with maybe 30-40 people instead of 200. The dramatic island connected by a stone bridge becomes even more atmospheric in April's variable weather, with waves crashing against the rocks and occasional mist. Game of Thrones filming here made it famous, but the 10th-century hermitage and coastal views are the real draw. The 1-hour drive from Bilbao passes through stunning Basque countryside at its greenest.
Traditional Cider House Experiences in Astigarraga
April is peak txotx season when cider houses open their massive barrels for tasting straight from the source. This centuries-old Basque tradition involves standing under the barrel stream to catch cider in your glass, paired with a set menu of cod omelet, grilled steak, and Idiazabal cheese. The 30km (18.6 miles) trip to Astigarraga (just into Gipuzkoa province) takes 35-40 minutes by car. April weekends see locals packing these sagardotegiak, creating an authentic atmosphere you won't find in summer tourist months.
Rioja Alavesa Wine Region Day Trips
The wine towns of Laguardia, Elciego, and Haro are 90-120 minutes south of Bilbao, and April brings perfect conditions - vineyards are budding with bright green shoots, temperatures are ideal for walking between bodegas, and you'll avoid the summer heat that makes midday tastings exhausting. The medieval hilltop town of Laguardia is particularly beautiful in spring light. Modern architectural wineries like those designed by Gehry and Calatrava contrast dramatically with 16th-century stone bodegas.
April Events & Festivals
Semana Santa (Holy Week) Processions
April 13-20, 2026 brings traditional religious processions through the Casco Viejo, with centuries-old wooden sculptures carried by cofradías (brotherhoods) in purple robes. The most impressive processions happen Good Friday evening and Easter Sunday morning. This is genuinely local tradition, not tourist performance - families line the narrow streets of Siete Calles, and traditional foods like torrijas (Spanish French toast) and potaje de vigilia (Lenten stew) appear in restaurants. Worth experiencing if you're comfortable with crowds and some business closures.
Bilbao BBK Live Festival Announcement Period
While the actual festival happens in July, April is when final lineups are announced and local excitement builds. You'll see promotional activity around the city, and music bars in Casco Viejo and Indautxu neighborhoods start hosting warm-up events. Not a reason to visit specifically, but adds energy to the nightlife scene if you're already coming.