Things to Do in Bilbao in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Bilbao
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Fewer tourists mean you can actually enjoy the Guggenheim without fighting through tour groups - weekday mornings are particularly quiet, and you'll get those Instagram shots without strangers in the background
- November is prime pintxo season when locals are back in full force after summer holidays, and the bars are serving heartier autumn dishes like marmitako and txangurro that you won't find in warmer months
- Hotel prices drop 30-40% compared to summer peak, and you can often score last-minute deals at boutique hotels in Casco Viejo that would be fully booked June through September
- The Basque cider season kicks off in November when sagardotegias open their barrels - this is genuinely one of the best food experiences in the region and tourists rarely know about it
Considerations
- Rain is persistent and not the quick tropical shower type - expect grey, drizzly days that can last all afternoon, which makes outdoor plans frustrating without flexibility
- Daylight is limited with sunset around 5:45pm by late November, so you'll lose precious sightseeing hours and the city can feel a bit gloomy by mid-afternoon
- Some coastal attractions and boat tours to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe run reduced schedules or close entirely depending on weather, and you might make the trip only to find rough seas have cancelled your plans
Best Activities in November
Guggenheim Museum and Contemporary Art Galleries
November is actually perfect for museum-hopping in Bilbao. The Guggenheim is significantly less crowded than summer months, and the cool, rainy weather makes indoor cultural activities genuinely appealing rather than a compromise. The natural light through those titanium curves looks particularly dramatic on overcast days. Plan to spend 2-3 hours here, then walk 10 minutes to the Fine Arts Museum which most tourists skip but locals consider equally important. The permanent Basque art collection is worth the visit alone.
Pintxo Bar Crawls in Casco Viejo
November is when pintxo culture is at its absolute peak. Locals are back from summer holidays, the bars are packed with regulars rather than tourists, and the autumn menu features seasonal ingredients like wild mushrooms, game, and txangurro crab. The cool weather makes the crowded, warm bars feel cozy rather than suffocating. Start around 8pm when locals begin their evening rounds - any earlier and you'll be eating alone. Plan for 3-4 bars over 2-3 hours, budgeting 12-20 euros per person including drinks.
Basque Cider House Experiences
This is insider knowledge most tourists miss completely. Traditional sagardotegias (cider houses) open their barrels in mid-November through April, and locals make pilgrimages to places 15-25km (9-16 miles) outside Bilbao for the full experience. You'll stand around wooden barrels, catch cider straight from the txotx (spout), and eat a set menu of chorizo, salt cod omelette, and massive steaks. It's loud, communal, and completely authentic. This only happens in cider season, so November visitors get access to something summer tourists never see.
Coastal Town Day Trips to San Sebastian and Getaria
November weather is variable, but you'll get lucky days with clear skies and dramatic coastal light that's actually more photogenic than harsh summer sun. San Sebastian is 100km (62 miles) east and makes a perfect day trip - the beaches are empty, La Concha Bay is stunning, and you can enjoy the old town pintxo scene without summer crowds. Getaria, a tiny fishing village 25km (15.5 miles) before San Sebastian, has incredible grilled fish restaurants and is where txakoli wine comes from. Just build flexibility into your plans in case weather turns.
Mercado de la Ribera and Basque Cooking Classes
The Ribera Market is Europe's largest covered market and it's spectacular in November when autumn produce is at its peak. You'll find wild mushrooms, late-season peppers for making your own pimientos de Gernika, fresh anchovies, and seasonal vegetables locals actually use. Many cooking classes start with a market tour, then teach you to make proper pintxos or traditional Basque dishes. It's a perfect rainy day activity that gives you skills to take home, and the market itself is worth 45-60 minutes even if you're not cooking.
Mount Artxanda Funicular and Hillside Walks
On clear November days, the views from Mount Artxanda are absolutely worth the 3-minute funicular ride up. At 250m (820ft) elevation, you get panoramic views of the entire Bilbao basin, the Nervion River, and surrounding mountains. The hilltop has walking paths through pine forests that are particularly beautiful in autumn, and a couple of restaurants with those same views. This is weather-dependent, so save it for your clearest day. The funicular itself is a charming piece of 1915 engineering that locals use daily.
November Events & Festivals
Gabon Zaharrak - Old Christmas Tradition
Late November marks the beginning of Basque winter traditions, though the main celebrations happen in December. You might catch early Christmas market preparations in Plaza Nueva and the first seasonal decorations going up around the city. It's not a major event in November itself, but the atmosphere starts shifting toward the holiday season, and local shops begin featuring seasonal products like turrón and Basque Christmas cakes.