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Is Spain on your radar lately, but you’re not looking forward to a busy Barcelona?
We have an equally exciting alternative for you. Not only will it offer the same cultural richness and amazing sights, but it will also operate non-stop flights from America from 2025!
As beautiful as Barcelona may be, with its Gaudí monuments, medieval Gothic Quarter and sandy beaches along the azure Mediterranean, it is probably Spain’s busiest destination, and we doubt that rising prices and increasing anti-tourist sentiment are contributing to this.
Bilbao, located in the north of Spain, is seriously underestimated cultural gem this has now become the case in the north of Spain far more accessible to American travelers:
Direct flights from America to the Basque Country for the first time!
For the first time, Americans will have the opportunity to discover one of the most exciting cities in Spain that has never hosted transatlantic flights until now, despite its obvious appeal and enormous cultural offer, and dare we say: delicious food.
From May 31st in time for the summer of 2025United Airlines will operate flights from Newark to Bilbao every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9:15 p.m.; When flying home, passengers depart Bilbao every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
The United Airlines press release confirms that a Boeing 757-20 will be operated on this route, with a layout of 176 seats, divided between the popular United Polaris company (16 seats), Economy Plus (42) and Economy (118), at the lowest fare.
Only a few start from $603 one wayor 11 monthly installments of $53.75when choosing Flexpay as a payment method, and the route will remain operational from launch at the end of May 2025 until September 24, 2025 initially.
Why choose Bilbao of all places in Spain?
Bilbao is the largest and most metropolitan city in the Basque Country, an autonomous region known for its millennia-old traditions and unique Euskara language. a thriving port city where more than 775,000 people call home and one of Spain’s most culturally important centers.
Located along the scenic Nervión River, it is best known for its unique blend of Old World, European traditionalism and innovative modern architecture:
The main landmark in the city, the Guggenheim Museum is a titanium-clad sanctuary for contemporary art, housed in a former redeveloped quay, located on a prominent bend of the Nervión, and features an extensive art collection from household names such as Jeff Koons And Jean Michel Basquiat.
While the Basque Country is largely rural in character, with quaint little villages where you’re likely to hear Euskara spoken rather than Spanish, Bilbao is much more outward-looking: Spanish is the predominant language, the social scene is second to none, and the tourist offer enormous.
21st century cosmopolis and medieval city combined
A great way to experience Bilbao’s vibrant cosmopolitanism is to stroll the shop-lined streets of Ensanche, dotted with mid-rise skyscrapers and relaxed cafes and pintxo bars (the Basque equivalent of tapas), often frequented by locals newly out of work and looking to socialize.
For culture, and beautiful architecture the kind you would expect in a bustling European city, the Casco Viejo (or the Old Town) ticks all the boxes, from the winding, narrow streets to the picturesque squares and the odd, lonely medieval remains.
The charm of Casco Viejo lies in being mixing of old and newbest reflected in the endless rows of colorful buildings with glass balconies.
In addition to the vibrant eclecticism, there are a large number of monuments that have stood the test of time virtually untouched.
One of these is the 14th-century Bilboko Donejakue Cathedral, with a modest facade and a richly decorated interior, with a sculpture-lined nave, stained glass windows and vibrant frescoes – a true jewel of ancient Spain.
The San Antón Church is yet another monument dating back to medieval timescombining elements from the Gothic and Renaissance Plaza Nuevain the heart of the old town, it is surrounded by 16th-century arcaded buildings, now home to informal restaurants and souvenir shops.
Can we talk about all that incredible food?
Aside from its stunning architecture and medieval charm, Bilbao is known throughout Spain for its excellent cuisine: it is, after all, the largest city in the Basque Country. one of the oldest ethnic regions in Europe with traditions dating back thousands of years.
One of the most popular pintxo bars in Bilbao, La Viña del Ensanche offers $3 draft beer, Iberian ham on toasted breaddipped in olive oil, and their magnum opus, a tasting menu with seven dishes paired with local wine – the cod a la Vizcaina tastes heavenly.
Your pintxo the crawl continues at Pentxo, both a laptop-friendly cafe, for those of us who always carry work with us wherever we go, and a simple restaurant serving local dishes. by bloody sausage tortillas roast lambin a cozy, authentic environment.
For a wide range of vegetarian options and fresh Mediterranean salads, the Greek-Spanish fusion Kali Orexi from Labocatorio is the right place for you; if you like meat they also have Basque pork bocadillas and veal burgers with fries, with prizes ranging from just $3 to $11.
How much cheaper is Bilbao compared to Barcelona?
In fact, Bilbao is one of the most affordable cities with a significant population in Spain: according to Budget your tripthe average tourist spends $49 on meals, $28 on transportation and $158 per night on accommodation.
That’s just an average: in reality it could be much lower, in a superior one-bedroom apartment with a balcony managed by Inside Bilbao Apartments costs $76 to book per nightin the heart of the Ensanche district, within walking distance of all restaurants and attractions.
The cheapest private accommodation scheme Ibis Budget Bilbao Citywhere a single room will cost you $53, but if you are a budget traveler who wants to save as much as possible, a dorm room in the All Iron Hostel costs a negligible 20 dollars.
Still in Ensanche there is a five-star listing Hotel Carltonhoused in a historic, Belle époqueperiod-era building and with lush gardens, costs $136 per night, or $162 if including an ‘excellent’ breakfast – no prepayment required if booked through Booking.com!
For comparison: the average hotel price in Barcelona is a much more expensive $210while the average cost of food daily is $62, bringing the total cost of a week’s stay in the Catalan capital to $1,396, on a conservative estimate for one person.
In Bilbao you can get the same for around $1,048, which means the Basque metropolis is close by 33.2% cheaper to visit as an American.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
