Things to Do in Bilbao in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Bilbao
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Genuine low season pricing - accommodation runs 30-40% cheaper than summer rates, and you'll actually get tables at top pintxos bars without the usual hour-long waits that plague high season
- The Guggenheim and Bellas Artes museums are genuinely manageable in February - you can spend proper time with the Rothko room or Serra's snake sculpture without being jostled by tour groups, which completely changes the experience
- Carnival season brings authentic local celebrations rather than tourist-focused events - the neighborhoods organize their own comparsas (street parades) and you'll see locals in costume heading to bars, not performing for cameras
- Winter pintxos culture is at its peak - this is when bars serve their heartiest creations with wild mushrooms, salt cod preparations, and game meats that don't appear in warmer months, plus the txakoli pours better in cooler weather
Considerations
- The rain is genuinely persistent - not tropical downpours but that penetrating Basque drizzle that locals call sirimiri, which can last for days and makes you understand why everyone here owns proper waterproof gear, not just a flimsy rain jacket
- Daylight is limited to roughly 9:30am to 6:30pm, which compresses your sightseeing window and means some of the coastal walks feel rushed if you're trying to fit multiple activities into a day
- The beach scene is essentially non-existent - La Concha looks beautiful but swimming is for the truly committed, and the beach clubs are shuttered, so if coastal lounging is central to your Bilbao vision, February will disappoint
Best Activities in February
Guggenheim Museum Extended Visits
February is actually the ideal month to properly experience the Guggenheim without the crowds that turn it into a photo-op factory during summer. The diffused winter light through the titanium panels creates completely different shadows and reflections than harsh summer sun. You can spend 20 minutes alone with Richard Serra's Matter of Time installation, which is how it's meant to be experienced. The temporary exhibitions in February 2026 will likely be the winter programming - typically more experimental than the blockbuster summer shows. The outdoor installations along the Nervión are atmospheric in the cool air, and Jeff Koons' Puppy looks particularly striking against grey skies. Worth noting the museum stays at a comfortable temperature year-round, making it perfect for a rainy afternoon that stretches into evening.
Pintxos Bar Crawls in Casco Viejo
February is peak season for winter pintxos - the bars are serving wild mushroom preparations, slow-cooked beef cheek, and salt cod dishes that don't appear in summer. The Casco Viejo neighborhood is manageable in February rather than the shoulder-to-shoulder chaos of August. Locals actually use these bars in winter, so you'll see genuine neighborhood culture rather than performing for tourists. The timing works better too - bars start filling around 8pm rather than 10pm in summer, which suits travelers still adjusting to Spanish schedules. The 70% humidity means the bars get properly steamy and convivial by 9pm. Traditional routes run along Calle Jardines and Plaza Nueva, but February is when you can actually explore side streets without a reservation strategy. Expect to spend 3-4 euros per pintxo and 2-3 euros for a small glass of txakoli or vermouth.
Coastal Walks to Getxo and Plentzia
The Basque coast in February has a moody, dramatic quality that summer visitors never see - waves actually crash against the harbor walls, the cliffs look properly imposing, and you'll have the coastal paths largely to yourself. The walk from Las Arenas beach to the Hanging Bridge in Getxo is about 3 km (1.9 miles) and takes 45 minutes at a relaxed pace, with the winter light creating exceptional photo conditions around 4pm. The temperature range of 5-14°C (41-57°F) is actually ideal for sustained walking if you layer properly - you'll warm up quickly but won't overheat like in summer humidity. The Bizkaia Bridge (the hanging bridge) is a UNESCO site and still functions as a gondola ferry, which feels more atmospheric in grey weather. From Getxo, you can continue to Plentzia via the metro - the coastal suburban train runs along cliffs and through tunnels carved into rock.
San Mamés Stadium Tours
Athletic Club Bilbao's stadium is genuinely significant in February because the football season is in full swing - unlike summer when you can only do static tours, February offers the possibility of attending actual matches with the crowd atmosphere that makes Basque football culture meaningful. The stadium tour itself runs year-round and takes about 90 minutes, covering the dressing rooms, tunnel, and pitch-side, but the real experience is attending a match. Athletic only fields Basque players, which creates an intensity and local pride you don't find at clubs that buy international rosters. February weather is ideal for Spanish football - cool enough that the stands are comfortable but not the freezing conditions of northern European matches. The crowd sings in Euskara and the atmosphere is family-oriented rather than aggressive. Even if you're not a football fan, the cultural experience is worth it.
Artxanda Funicular and Mountain Walks
The Artxanda funicular climbs 226 m (741 ft) in three minutes, depositing you on a ridge with panoramic views over Bilbao that are actually more dramatic in February's variable weather - you'll see cloud shadows moving across the city, the Guggenheim catching light between rain showers, and the surrounding mountains with snow on higher peaks. The viewing platform has a completely different character in winter than summer, and you can walk the ridge trails through pine forest without the heat that makes summer hikes sweaty. The trails are well-maintained and range from easy 2 km (1.2 mile) loops to longer 8 km (5 mile) routes toward Pagasarri mountain. February temperatures at this elevation run about 2-3°C (4-5°F) cooler than the city, so you'll want an extra layer. The funicular station has a restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows that's perfect for watching weather roll in while eating traditional Basque dishes.
Mercado de la Ribera and Cooking Workshops
The Ribera Market is Europe's largest covered market and February is when it's functioning for locals rather than tourists - you'll see actual Bilbao residents shopping for ingredients, fishmongers selling the day's catch from the Cantabrian Sea, and seasonal produce that defines Basque winter cooking. The market has been renovated but retains its 1929 Art Deco structure, and the energy on Saturday mornings is genuinely vibrant. February brings specific ingredients you won't see other months - percebes (goose barnacles), winter wild mushrooms, salted anchovies being prepared for spring, and the last of the season's root vegetables. Several cooking schools run workshops that start with market tours then move to kitchen instruction, teaching you to prepare pintxos or traditional dishes using what you've just bought. The market stays warm and dry regardless of weather outside, making it ideal for rainy mornings.
February Events & Festivals
Carnival (Aratusteak/Inauteriak)
Basque Carnival happens in the weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday, which in 2026 falls on February 18th, meaning Carnival peaks mid-February. Unlike the massive tourist spectacles in other Spanish cities, Bilbao's Carnival is genuinely neighborhood-based - different barrios organize their own comparsas (costumed parades) and street parties. You'll see locals in elaborate costumes heading to bars and community centers rather than performing for cameras. The tradition includes satirical elements poking fun at politicians and local issues, often sung in Euskara. Txikiteo (bar hopping) intensifies during Carnival week, with special music programming and extended hours. The main parades happen on the weekend before Ash Wednesday, but the atmosphere builds throughout the week.
Santo Tomás延续 Celebrations
While the main Santo Tomás festival happens December 21st, many Bilbao neighborhoods continue celebrating into early February with txistorra (Basque sausage) grilling events and cider house openings. This is when the cider houses in nearby Astigarraga officially open for the season, serving traditional cider house menus of salt cod omelet, grilled steak, and cheese with walnuts, all accompanied by unlimited cider poured directly from massive barrels. The tradition involves catching cider in your glass as it's poured from height - it's participatory rather than just dining. Several Bilbao bars also run extended Santo Tomás events in early February before Carnival begins.