Bilbao has come a long way from its smokestack era. Once a gritty industrial port, the city was forced into a rethink after catastrophic floods in 1983 — and the reinvention worked. Today it's the proud capital of the Basque country, drawing visitors with world-class art (Frank Gehry's titanium-swirled Guggenheim is the headline act) and a bar scene built on pintxos, the region's take on tapas. Condé Nast Traveller UK has rounded up its nine favourite hotels in the city, and the shortlist reflects Bilbao's mix of culture, design and character.
The editor's top three picks are telling. Hotel Tayko Bilbao takes the crown for the Old Town, putting guests in the Casco Viejo among the narrow streets and pintxos bars that make the historic quarter so appealing. For those after proper luxury, the pick is Palacio Arriluce — a grand property with a dramatic position, reflecting the coastline just outside the city that, with its forests, mist and craggy shore, can feel closer to Scotland or Ireland than to Mediterranean Spain. On the budget end, Hotel NYX offers an affordable base without giving up on the design-forward style the city is known for.
The full list leans towards stylish, individual properties rather than chains — colourful art-filled boltholes, rooms overlooking the Guggenheim, and smaller boutique stays that give a more insider read on the city. The editors say they look for strong design, a good location, warm service and genuine sustainability credentials, and they revisit the list regularly as new openings land.
For travellers, the takeaway is that Bilbao rewards a bit of thought about location. Staying near the Old Town puts you at the heart of the eating and drinking scene; the area around the Guggenheim suits museum-first trips; and the hills and coastline beyond the city offer quieter, more scenic options. Two or three nights is enough for the museums and food, and the city also works well as a launchpad for the Basque coast — San Sebastián is a short trip east, and the surf beaches around the Bizkaia shoreline are within easy reach.
