Things to Do in Bilbao in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in Bilbao
Is September Right for You?
Advantages
- Post-summer shoulder season means 30-40% lower accommodation rates compared to July-August, with tourist crowds dropping significantly after the first week once Spanish school holidays end
- September weather sits in that sweet spot where you get warm afternoons around 24°C (76°F) perfect for outdoor pintxos crawls, but cool enough evenings at 14°C (57°F) that you actually want to duck into those cozy sidrerías without melting
- The cultural calendar absolutely explodes - Aste Nagusia (Bilbao's Big Week) typically runs late August into early September, plus you catch the tail end of summer festivals in surrounding Basque villages without the peak-season pricing
- The Guggenheim and other major museums are noticeably less crowded after the first week, meaning you can actually spend time with the art instead of jostling for position, and restaurant reservations at top spots become possible with just 2-3 days notice instead of weeks
Considerations
- September rainfall averages 76 mm (3.0 inches) over 10 days, and these aren't gentle drizzles - the Atlantic storms that roll through can be proper downpours that shut down beach plans and make the steep hills around Casco Viejo genuinely slippery
- The weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get a week of perfect 24°C (76°F) sunshine, or you might hit a cold front that drops temps to 14°C (57°F) with wind and rain for days, making packing a real challenge
- If you're coming specifically for beach weather, September is honestly hit-or-miss - the Bay of Biscay doesn't warm up like the Mediterranean, and even on sunny days the water hovers around 21°C (70°F) with occasional rough surf that closes beaches
Best Activities in September
Guggenheim Museum and Contemporary Art Gallery Tours
September is actually ideal for Bilbao's museum circuit because the post-summer drop in crowds means you can properly experience the Guggenheim without fighting through tour groups. The variable weather makes indoor cultural activities smart planning - when those Atlantic storms roll through, you want to be inside anyway. The natural light in September, especially those clear mornings, is spectacular for viewing the titanium facade and the outdoor sculptures. Budget 3-4 hours minimum for the Guggenheim itself.
Basque Coastal Village Day Trips
September is perfect for exploring fishing villages like Bermeo, Lekeitio, and Getaria because the summer beach crowds have cleared out but the weather is still warm enough for coastal walks. The September light along the Bay of Biscay is exceptional - photographers call it the golden hour that lasts all afternoon. Local restaurants shift back to serving locals rather than tourists, meaning better value and more authentic menus. The coastal hiking trails between villages are at their best before autumn storms make them muddy.
Pintxos and Cider House Experiences
September is when the pintxos scene shifts gears - summer tourists thin out, locals reclaim their favorite bars, and the seasonal ingredients change to autumn flavors like wild mushrooms and game. The cooler evenings make standing in crowded bars actually pleasant instead of sweaty. Traditional sidrerías (cider houses) begin their season in late September, and catching the early weeks means fresher txotx pours before the barrels oxidize. The humidity drops enough that you can comfortably bar-hop without wilting.
Mount Artxanda and Surrounding Hill Walks
The funicular up Mount Artxanda offers the best city views, and September weather is ideal for the hilltop walks - warm enough at 20-24°C (68-76°F) during the day but not the scorching heat of July-August. The air clarity after September rain showers gives you stunning views across the entire Bilbao valley. The surrounding trails through Parque de Etxebarria and up to the various miradores are less crowded, and the cooler temps make the uphill sections actually enjoyable. Sunset timing in September (around 8:30-9pm) is perfect for evening ascents.
Rioja Alavesa Wine Region Tours
September is actually harvest season in Rioja Alavesa, just 90 minutes south of Bilbao - you might catch vendimia (grape harvest) activities if you time it right, usually mid-to-late September. The wine tourism infrastructure is still fully operational but less crowded than summer, and the September weather is perfect for vineyard walks without the brutal summer heat. The landscape shifts to autumn colors by late September, making it exceptionally photogenic. Many bodegas offer harvest-themed experiences you won't find other months.
Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve Kayaking and Nature Tours
The Urdaibai estuary about 45 minutes northeast of Bilbao is spectacular in September - migratory birds start arriving, the marshlands are lush from summer rains, and the weather is stable enough for kayaking without the wind issues of spring. Water temps around 18-20°C (64-68°F) mean you're comfortable in a wetsuit if you capsize. The beaches at Laida and Laga are still swimmable on warm days but blissfully empty compared to August. September tide patterns tend to be more predictable for kayaking windows.
September Events & Festivals
Aste Nagusia (Bilbao Big Week)
This is Bilbao's biggest festival of the year, typically starting the Saturday after August 15th and running nine days - so it often extends into the first week of September. The entire city transforms with street parties, concerts, traditional Basque sports competitions, fireworks, and the character Marijaia presiding over everything. It's genuinely chaotic in the best way - expect crowds, noise, and locals in festive mood. Not ideal if you want a quiet cultural city break, but incredible if you want to see Bilbao at its most exuberant.
San Sebastian International Film Festival
While technically in San Sebastian (80 km east), this major European film festival runs mid-to-late September and draws cinema crowds to the Basque coast. Worth knowing about if you're interested in catching screenings or if you're planning a San Sebastian day trip - the city gets noticeably busier and accommodation prices spike during the festival week. Some events and industry parties spill over into Bilbao's film scene.