Things to Do in Bilbao in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Bilbao
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
57°F (14°C)
High Temp
42°F (6°C)
Low Temp
5.0 inches (127 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Nochevieja markets turn Plaza Nueva into a Christmas playground, roasted chestnuts perfume the air alongside txakoli wine, and locals squeeze shoulder-to-shoulder at pop-up bars that keep the txistorra coming until 3 AM.
- + December finally lets Bilbao's pintxos bars breathe, you can slide straight onto a stool at Casa Victor Montes without the usual 45-minute wait, and bartenders suddenly have time to spell out why cod brandade differs from bacalao pil-pil.
- + Over at the Guggenheim, Jeff Koons' Puppy swaps its normal coat for 38,000 winter flowers, pansies and begonias blanket the giant terrier against Bilbao's steel-grey December skies, pure Basque surrealism on a leash.
- + Hotel prices fall 30-40% from summer highs, and boutique hideaways in Casco Viejo that normally sell out months ahead suddenly open with just a week's notice.
Considerations
- − Atlantic storms can park over the city for 2-3 days straight, when the Nervión River churns brown and rough, even die-hard locals skip their bridge walks to Portugalete.
- − Short days pull the plug at 5:30 PM, light vanishes fast behind the Basque hills, and every outdoor terrace rolls up its shutters for winter.
- − Coastal footpaths turn slick and risky, sections of the Camino del Norte near Bilbao can dissolve into ankle-deep clay.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Bilbao shifts pace in December. A fine, persistent mist often veils the city's granite streets and steel riverfront. It softens the industrial port's edges and clings to the Guggenheim's glass skin. Locals abandon summer terrace tables. They retreat to the warm, woody interiors of century-old taverns, where the air smells of sizzling garlic and seared steak. This is a month of anticipation and ritual. The city's modern energy folds into deep-rooted Basque traditions. Life here has a rhythm. The daily pilgrimage for morning coffee marks it. So does the evening paseo along the Nervión. The chill in the air makes a shared bottle of Rioja more inviting. Two events anchor the social calendar. From December 1, Plaza Moyúa becomes a classic Basque Christmas market. Timber stalls line the plaza. They sell wheels of nutty Idiazabal cheese and coiled ropes of paprika-red txistorra sausage. The sweet smell of hot chocolate and fried churros drifts through the crisp air. Then the city's focus shifts to Plaza Circular. On the final night, a crowd of thousands gathers. Each person clutches twelve grapes for a ritual over a century old. The midnight bells finish. The square erupts into a street party of shared cava and collective singing until dawn. It shows the city's communal spirit. Visitors find a more intimate encounter. The famous museums are less crowded. You can contemplate quietly beneath the soaring arches of the Fine Arts Museum or the Guggenheim's twisted titanium forms. The weather is cool and damp. It is good for ducking into a pinxto bar. Feel the warmth of pressed bodies. Hear the clatter of ceramic plates and rapid-fire Basque conversation. Experience the city not as a spectacle. But as a lived-in place. Gastronomy is a daily religion here. The gray winter light paints everything in a subdued, elegant palette.
Hike Gaztelugatxe, Fishing Port Bermeo & Pintxo Lunch from Bilbao
adventureThis guided trip takes you from the city to the dramatic Basque coast. Walk the stone bridge over churning turquoise waves to the hermitage island of Gaztelugatxe. Hear the Atlantic roar against the cliffs. Feel the salt spray on your face. Afterward, you explore the working port of Bermeo. Its brightly painted fishing boats bob in the harbor. Then sit down for lunch: fresh grilled fish and traditional pinxtos.
It combines a legendary coastal pilgrimage with an authentic taste of Basque maritime life in one complete journey.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, grippy footwear for the 241-step climb. The ancient stone steps get treacherously slick from sea mist and rain.
Bilbao Reborn: Feasting in the Comeback City
otherThis tour examines the culinary revival that fueled Bilbao's transformation. Navigate the narrow streets of the Casco Viejo. Step into family-run bodegas smelling of aged wine and frying peppers. Sample creations from chefs redefining Basque cuisine in sleek, modern bars.
It tells the story of Bilbao's rebirth through its most essential element: the food on its people's plates.
Insider tip: Go with an empty stomach and a curious palate. The tour is a progressive meal, moving from classic taverns to innovative gastrobars.
Full Day Private 4WD Tour from Santander to Picos de Europa. Excellent meals.
day_tripThis private tour goes from Santander into the heart of the Picos de Europa. Limestone peaks pierce the winter sky. Deep green valleys shelter traditional stone villages. The day includes a stop for a substantial meal. It likely features hearty mountain stews or local game, providing warmth amid the rugged scenery.
It has a dramatic contrast to Bilbao's urban energy. You get the raw beauty of Spain's first national park with the comfort of a private vehicle.
Insider tip: Request a stop at the Mirador del Fito. The panoramic view stretches from the snow-dusted peaks down to the Cantabrian Sea.
Marques de Riscal and Ysios Rioja Wine Tour w/ Lunch from Bilbao
foodThis tour moves you from Bilbao's industrial valleys to the sweeping vineyards of La Rioja. It visits two architectural landmarks. Taste bold, oak-aged reds in Frank Gehry's titanium-clad Marques de Riscal hotel. Sample elegant reservas within Santiago Calatrava's wave-like Ysios winery. A traditional Riojan lunch is included.
It pairs excellent wine tasting with an architectural pilgrimage. The buildings are as celebrated as the vintages.
Insider tip: Focus your camera on the play of December's low, angular light across Gehry's metallic curves for striking photographs.
Private Transfer Tour Bilbao to San Sebastian through the Basque Coast
transportThis transfer turns a simple journey into a scenic coastal exploration. Travel from Bilbao to San Sebastián along the winding BI-634. Stop at your leisure. Feel the cool breeze on a cliffside viewpoint. Hear the waves crash in a secluded cove. Wander through a scenic fishing village like Getaria or Zarautz.
It makes a necessary transit into a flexible, personalized tour of a dramatic coastline.
Insider tip: Ask your driver to pause at the flysch rock formations near Zumaia. The stratified cliffs look stark and beautiful under winter's gray skies.
Where to Stay in Bilbao in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early to mid December
Bilbao Christmas Market
From December 1-23, Plaza Moyú becomes a classic Basque Christmas market, stalls push artisanal Idiazabal cheese and txistorra, while the scent of hot chocolate and churros drifts through the air.
December 31
New Year's Eve Street Party
Bilbao's Nochevieja packs Plaza Circular with 30,000 locals swallowing 12 grapes at midnight, the ritual started in 1909, and once the bells finish the square erupts into a street party that lasts until the sun comes up.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Bilbao Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Locals sit down to dinner at 10 PM in December, arrive at Casa Rufo at 7 PM and you'll dine with fellow tourists, missing the kitchen's real rhythm.
The finest txakoli hails from Getaria, 30 minutes west, hop the Euskotren from Atxuri station and knock back a few glasses before the Atlantic storms arrive.
December is when Bilbao's Michelin-starred spots release their January slots, you can still snag a table at Azurmendi or Mugaritz for the new year.
Every December 6 (Constitution Day) the Guggenheim opens free, locals queue from 6 AM, yet plenty of international visitors never clock the date.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't attempt San Sebastián as a day trip from Bilbao, the 100 km (62-mile) run takes 1.5 hours each way in December weather. Stay put and explore Bilbao properly.
Avoid airport hotels for convenience, you'll miss Casco Viejo, where every bar within 200 meters pours better pintxos than any hotel kitchen.
Don't assume the city shuts on Sundays, shops close. But pintxos bars and the Guggenheim stay open, and locals treat Sunday as prime social time.
Explore More Activities in Bilbao
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Bilbao.
See All Bilbao Tours on Viator