Things to Do in Bilbao in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Bilbao
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs drop 25-40% compared to summer peak, with quality hotels in Casco Viejo running €70-110 instead of €140-180. You're catching that sweet spot before Easter week crowds arrive.
- The Guggenheim and Fine Arts Museum are genuinely pleasant to visit without the summer tour bus crowds. You'll actually get unobstructed photos of that Puppy sculpture and can spend time with the Rothko room without elbowing through groups.
- Pintxos culture is at its best because March brings peak txistorra season and the first spring vegetables. Bar counters aren't packed shoulder-to-shoulder like July, so bartenders actually have time to explain what you're eating. The 7-9pm window is lively but not suffocating.
- Walking the city is comfortable in that 12-16°C (54-61°F) range during midday. You can hike up to Artxanda funicular or walk the entire Nervión riverfront without overheating, though you'll want layers for morning and evening when it drops to 7-9°C (44-48°F).
Considerations
- Rain happens about every third day, and it's that persistent Basque drizzle rather than quick tropical downpours. You're not getting soaked necessarily, but you'll be damp. The Sirimiri they call it, and it's real. This isn't beach weather for San Sebastian day trips.
- Daylight is limited to about 6:45am-7:30pm, which matters if you're planning photography or evening beach walks. That golden hour light happens around 7pm, but temperatures drop quickly after sunset to 7-8°C (44-46°F), making outdoor evening activities less appealing.
- Some coastal restaurants and beach clubs around Getxo and Plentzia don't fully open until April. You'll find them operating on reduced schedules or weekends only, which limits spontaneous day trip options to the coast.
Best Activities in March
Guggenheim Museum Extended Visits
March gives you the museum without the crowds that arrive in April through September. The building itself is worth 90 minutes just for the architecture, and you can actually sit with the permanent collection without competing for space. That 70% humidity means the titanium exterior looks particularly dramatic when it's overcast, which happens frequently. The UV index hits 8 on clear days, so the skylights create excellent natural lighting for the galleries. Go right when it opens at 10am Tuesday through Sunday, or after 4pm when day-trippers have left.
Casco Viejo Pintxos Crawls
The old quarter is perfect in March because the 7-9pm pintxos hour isn't overwhelming yet. Temperatures are cool enough that the packed bars feel cozy rather than stifling. March brings seasonal specialties like idiazabal cheese with membrillo, fresh anchovies, and txistorra that you won't find in summer menus. The drizzle actually makes ducking into warm bars more appealing. Start at Plaza Nueva and work through the seven streets, hitting 4-5 bars over 2-3 hours. Locals do this Thursday through Saturday primarily.
Coastal Hikes Around Gaztelugatxe
That 12-16°C (54-61°F) midday temperature is ideal for the 231-step climb to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe without overheating. March means fewer people on the narrow stairway, and the dramatic coastline looks particularly moody with those variable conditions and occasional rain. The path can be slippery when wet, so this is better on dry days. The 45km (28 mile) drive from Bilbao takes about an hour. Wind can be significant on the exposed sections, making that cool temperature feel colder.
San Sebastian Day Trips
The 100km (62 mile) trip east takes about 90 minutes by bus or car. March weather is similar to Bilbao but slightly milder on the coast. La Concha beach won't be swimming weather at 12-14°C (54-57°F) water temperature, but the seaside walk is excellent, and the old town pintxos scene rivals Bilbao. This is before the summer beach crowds arrive, so you can actually get tables at the better bars. The drizzle is common here too, so this works best as a food and culture day rather than a beach day.
Rioja Wine Region Tours
March is actually excellent for winery visits because harvest and crush are long finished, so winemakers have time to talk. The vineyards look bare but interesting, and the 60-80km (37-50 mile) drive south gets you out of the coastal drizzle into drier continental climate. Temperatures in Haro and Laguardia run 2-3°C (3-5°F) warmer than Bilbao. Most bodegas require reservations and close Sundays and Mondays. This is a proper day trip requiring 8-10 hours total.
Athletic Bilbao Match Experience
If Athletic Club has home fixtures at San Mamés in March, this is genuinely special. The 53,000-capacity stadium is one of Spain's best, and the Basque-only player policy creates intense local pride. March typically has 1-2 home matches. The atmosphere is family-friendly compared to other Spanish stadiums. Evening kickoffs at 9pm mean temperatures around 8-10°C (46-50°F), so dress warmly. The stadium is a 15-minute walk from Casco Viejo.
March Events & Festivals
Euskal Jaia (Basque Festival)
If this falls in March, typically early to mid-month, you'll see traditional Basque sports demonstrations like stone lifting, wood chopping, and tug-of-war competitions in various towns around Bizkaia. It's not a single-day event but rather a series of exhibitions. Check local schedules as dates vary yearly. This gives you a window into rural Basque culture that tourists rarely see.