Things to Do in Bilbao in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
October Weather in Bilbao
Is October Right for You?
Advantages
- Post-summer shoulder season means accommodation prices drop 20-30% compared to August peak, and you'll actually get tables at pintxo bars without elbowing through cruise ship crowds - the city feels like it belongs to locals again
- The culinary calendar hits peak season with txakoli new wine harvest celebrations, wild mushroom season in full swing (look for perretxikos and zizak at La Ribera Market), and restaurants rolling out autumn menus featuring game and hearty stews
- October weather creates ideal conditions for the coastal walks and mountain hikes around Bilbao - the 10km (6.2 miles) Gaztelugatxe coastal path is dramatically moody without summer's scorching heat, and visibility from Mount Artxanda at 250m (820ft) is typically clearest after rain clears
- Cultural calendar intensifies with ZINEBI International Documentary Film Festival (typically late October), plus the Euskal Jaiak Basque cultural celebrations - you'll catch authentic bertsolaritza improvised poetry competitions and rural sports demonstrations that summer tourists completely miss
Considerations
- Rain is genuinely unpredictable - those 10 rainy days don't tell the full story because you'll get sudden downpours that last 15-45 minutes, then clear skies, then more rain. Pack layers and waterproofs, and accept that your carefully planned beach day at Plentzia might turn into a museum afternoon
- The 11°C (52°F) overnight lows mean mornings start properly cold, especially in the Old Town's narrow streets that don't see sun until 10am - that romantic riverside pintxo crawl you imagined needs a proper jacket, not just a light sweater
- Daylight shrinks to about 11 hours by late October (sunset around 7pm), which compresses your sightseeing window and means those Instagram-worthy golden hour shots at the Guggenheim require more planning than summer's endless evenings
Best Activities in October
Guggenheim Museum and Bilbao Art District Tours
October's cooler temperatures and occasional rain actually make this the smartest month for Bilbao's museum circuit. The Guggenheim is 40% less crowded than summer, meaning you can actually stand in front of Richard Serra's massive steel sculptures without tour groups photobombing your view. The 21°C (70°F) afternoon highs are perfect for the 2km (1.2 miles) walk connecting Guggenheim to Museo de Bellas Artes through Doña Casilda Park, which turns spectacular with autumn colors. Rain backup is built-in since you're museum-hopping anyway. The Abandoibarra waterfront walk between museums stays comfortable even in drizzle.
Coastal Hiking and Basque Coast Excursions
October transforms the Basque coast into something properly dramatic - the Atlantic gets moody, waves crash harder, and the tourist hordes vanish. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (that Game of Thrones island hermitage) is accessible without the 90-minute queues you'd face in August, though the 241 stone steps get slippery when wet. The coastal path from Bakio to Bermeo covers 12km (7.5 miles) of stunning clifftop walking in temperatures that won't leave you drenched in sweat. Getxo's seaside promenade and the UNESCO Vizcaya Bridge are spectacular when autumn storms roll in - just check marine weather forecasts before committing to boat trips.
Pintxo Bar Tours and Basque Cooking Workshops
October is peak season for Basque food culture. The autumn harvest brings wild mushrooms, game, and new season txakoli wine to bar counters across Casco Viejo and Plaza Nueva. Evening pintxo tours make perfect sense when it's dark by 7pm and drizzling - you're hopping between cozy bars anyway. Cooking workshops shift to autumn recipes like marmitako tuna stew and seasonal mushroom dishes. The cooler weather means you'll actually appreciate standing in warm, packed bars rather than wilting in summer heat. Local food markets like La Ribera (largest covered market in Europe at 10,000 sq m) are at their most interesting with seasonal produce.
Rioja Wine Region Day Trips
October is crush season in Rioja, just 90km (56 miles) south of Bilbao - the vineyards are harvesting and wineries are actually producing wine rather than just pouring samples for tourists. The weather in Rioja valleys is typically drier and slightly warmer than coastal Bilbao, making it a smart escape on rainy days. Medieval villages like Laguardia and Haro are gorgeous in autumn light, and the wine harvest festivals (vendimia) run through early October. You'll see actual winemaking in progress rather than just tasting rooms. The drive through vine-covered hills is spectacular when leaves turn golden-red.
Mount Artxanda Funicular and Surrounding Trails
The century-old funicular railway climbs 250m (820ft) from the city center to Mount Artxanda in three minutes, delivering panoramic views over Bilbao's river valley. October's clearer post-rain air provides the best visibility of the year - you'll actually see the Cantabrian Mountains in the distance. The summit has 6km (3.7 miles) of easy walking trails through oak and chestnut forests that turn spectacular with autumn colors. It's the perfect rainy-day-turned-clear-afternoon activity, and the temperature up top drops 3-4°C (5-7°F) cooler than the city, making the 21°C (70°F) days ideal. Sunset views around 7pm are stunning but dress warmly.
San Sebastián and Basque Coast Day Trips
San Sebastián sits just 100km (62 miles) east along the coast, and October is actually smarter than summer for visiting - La Concha beach is empty enough to enjoy, Parte Vieja pintxo bars aren't shoulder-to-shoulder chaos, and the San Sebastián Film Festival (late September into early October) brings genuine cultural energy rather than just tourist crowds. The coastal drive via fishing villages like Getaria and Zarautz is stunning in autumn light. October weather is similar to Bilbao but slightly milder. Budget a full day since you'll want 4-5 hours in San Sebastián proper.
October Events & Festivals
ZINEBI International Documentary and Short Film Festival
One of the oldest documentary film festivals in the world, running since 1959. Typically held late October, screening 200+ films across multiple venues in Bilbao including the Arriaga Theatre and Azkuna Zentroa cultural center. It's a genuine film festival rather than a tourist event - locals pack screenings and the industry presence is significant. Most films have English subtitles. Individual screening tickets cost 5-8 euros, festival passes around 40-60 euros.
Euskal Jaiak Basque Cultural Festivals
Various neighborhoods host Euskal Jaiak throughout October - traditional Basque cultural celebrations featuring bertsolaritza improvised poetry competitions, rural sports demonstrations like stone lifting and wood chopping, traditional dance performances, and local food stalls. These are authentic community events, not staged for tourists. The Casco Viejo and Rekalde districts typically host the largest celebrations. Free to attend, though food and drink cost normal bar prices.
Txakoli Wine Harvest Celebrations
The nearby Getxo and Bakio txakoli wine regions celebrate the grape harvest throughout early October with winery open houses, grape stomping events, and new wine tastings. Txakoli is the local slightly sparkling white wine that pairs perfectly with pintxos. Several wineries within 30 minutes of Bilbao open their doors for tours and tastings that aren't available other times of year. Events are typically free or 10-15 euros including tastings.