BILBAO TRAVEL GUIDE
Bilbao Weather & Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Bilbao for most travelers is May to June or September , when temperatures are comfortable for walking and day trips without the busiest festival crowds. Bilbao has an Atlantic climate, so rain remains part of the picture throughout the year.
Quick answer
- Best overall: May, June and September.
- Warmest: July and August, with average daily highs around the mid-20s °C.
- Driest on average: July.
- Wettest month on average: November.
- Best for Aste Nagusia: late August — in 2026, August 22–30.
- Best for museums and food: autumn and winter.
When is the best time to visit Bilbao?
For a first trip, May, June and September offer the strongest balance of comfortable temperatures, long enough daylight and good conditions for exploring both the city and the surrounding Basque Country.
May or June
Comfortable walking weather, greener landscapes and a good balance between city sightseeing and day trips.
July
The driest average conditions and the best chance of long outdoor days without extreme southern-Spain heat.
Late August
Aste Nagusia, Bilbao’s biggest festival — with more noise, higher demand and a very different city atmosphere.
September
A particularly good combination of warm-enough weather, easier walking and fewer festival crowds than late August.
Autumn or winter
Museums, Basque food and a slower city break, with a greater chance of rain.
Bilbao climate at a glance
Long-term climate averages from Bilbao Airport provide a useful planning baseline. The city has a mild Atlantic climate: annual average temperature is about 14.7°C , average annual rainfall is about 1,134 mm , and annual sunshine is around 1,610 hours .
These are climate averages, not a forecast. Check current conditions close to your trip, especially before planning coastal walks or outdoor day trips.
Bilbao weather month by month
| Month | Avg. high | Avg. low | Rainfall | Planning feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.5°C | 4.8°C | ~121 mm | Cool, damp, quiet |
| February | 14.1°C | 4.9°C | ~92 mm | Cool, variable |
| March | 16.5°C | 6.4°C | ~90 mm | Early spring, changeable |
| April | 17.6°C | 7.6°C | ~107 mm | Green, mixed weather |
| May | 20.8°C | 10.6°C | ~78 mm | Excellent all-round month |
| June | 23.4°C | 13.4°C | ~60 mm | Warm and comfortable |
| July | 25.4°C | 15.4°C | ~50 mm | Warmest/driest period |
| August | 26.0°C | 15.7°C | ~76 mm | Warm, busy, festival month |
| September | 24.6°C | 13.8°C | ~73 mm | Excellent for most visitors |
| October | 21.4°C | 11.4°C | ~111 mm | Cooler and wetter |
| November | 16.6°C | 8.1°C | ~147 mm | Wettest average month |
| December | 13.9°C | 5.9°C | ~122 mm | Cool, damp, festive |
Figures are rounded long-term climate averages for Bilbao Airport and are best used for trip planning rather than day-by-day prediction.
Spring in Bilbao: March to May
Spring is when Bilbao becomes easier to explore on foot, although the weather remains variable. March and April can be cool and wet, while May is often one of the best months for travelers who want mild temperatures without summer crowds.
- Best month: May.
- Good for: walking, museums, food and nearby landscapes.
- Watch for: sudden showers and cooler evenings.
Spring works especially well with our Bilbao itinerary guide , because you can move outdoor stops around the forecast instead of committing every hour to the riverfront.
Summer in Bilbao: June to August
Summer brings the warmest weather, but Bilbao remains much milder than many Spanish destinations. July is the driest month on average, while August is the warmest. The difference between the two, however, is not only meteorological.
June and July
Better for travelers who want outdoor walking, riverfront time and day trips without the intensity of Bilbao’s major late-August festival.
August
Warm and lively, but late August is dominated by Aste Nagusia. This is excellent if you want the festival and less ideal if your priority is a quiet museum-and-walking break.
Do not plan a Bilbao summer trip as though you were heading to the Costa del Sol. Atlantic rain is still possible, and the sea is generally moderate rather than reliably warm.
Aste Nagusia 2026: how late August changes Bilbao
Aste Nagusia 2026 runs from August 22 to August 30. For nine days, Bilbao changes from a normal city break into a major festival destination with concerts, cultural events, food, fireworks and large crowds.
Planning around the festival
- Book accommodation earlier: demand is higher during the festival period.
- Expect a louder city: late nights and crowded central areas are part of the experience.
- Choose your hotel location carefully: see our Where to Stay in Bilbao guide .
- Want quieter weather? June or early September usually gives a more relaxed balance.
For the festival itself, use our dedicated Aste Nagusia guide and check the official Bilbao city information for the latest programme.
Autumn in Bilbao: September to November
September and October should not be treated as identical. September still offers average highs around the mid-20s °C, while October becomes cooler and noticeably wetter. By November, rainfall reaches its highest monthly average.
September
One of the best months for a first visit. It remains comfortable for walking and can be better than late August if you want to avoid the biggest festival crowds.
October and November
Better for a city-focused trip built around museums, food and flexible indoor plans. October can still be excellent; November requires more acceptance of wet weather.
Winter in Bilbao: December to February
Winter is cool and wet rather than brutally cold. It can be a rewarding time for travelers who care more about architecture, museums and Basque food than guaranteed outdoor weather.
- Best for: museums, restaurants and a slower city break.
- Less ideal for: building the entire trip around coastal scenery.
- Smart strategy: keep outdoor viewpoints flexible and prepare indoor alternatives.
Winter visitors should not automatically cancel outdoor plans. A wet morning does not mean the whole day is lost — Bilbao weather often changes during the day.
How much does it rain in Bilbao?
Quite a lot by Spanish standards, but the useful planning point is variability . Bilbao can have showers, damp mornings and changing conditions rather than a perfectly clear forecast for an entire week.
November is the wettest month on average, while July is the driest. Even so, rain is possible in every season. The best response is not to over-plan every outdoor hour.
How weather should change your Bilbao itinerary
Weather matters most when deciding whether to leave the compact center. Use clear conditions for viewpoints and the coast, and save indoor attractions for wetter periods.
☀ Clear or mostly clear
- Artxanda viewpoints
- Getxo and the coast
- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
- Long riverfront walks
☔ Rain or unstable weather
- Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
- Casco Viejo
- Azkuna Zentroa
- Gernika or Vitoria-Gasteiz day trips
For route choices, see our 1, 2 and 3 day Bilbao itinerary and our Best Day Trips from Bilbao guide . If rain arrives, the goal is usually to reorder the plan rather than replace it completely.
What to pack for Bilbao
The most useful packing strategy is layers rather than one heavy seasonal outfit. Even in warmer months, evenings can feel cooler than the daytime temperature suggests.
Year-round essentials
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light waterproof layer
- Layers for changing temperatures
Especially useful in Bilbao
- Water-resistant shoes for wet streets
- A compact rain layer rather than relying only on an umbrella
- Comfortable footwear for Casco Viejo’s stone streets
If you are visiting the historic center after rain, good shoes are more useful than an oversized umbrella. The compact center is walkable, but wet stone streets can be slippery.
Plan the rest of your Bilbao trip
Bilbao weather and best time to visit FAQ
What is the best month to visit Bilbao?
For most travelers, May, June and September offer the best balance of comfortable temperatures, walking weather and manageable crowds.
Does it rain a lot in Bilbao?
Bilbao is wetter than much of Spain because of its Atlantic climate. November is the wettest month on average, while July is the driest, but rain is possible throughout the year.
Is Bilbao hot in summer?
Usually not by southern-Spain standards. Average daily highs are around 25–26°C in July and August, although warmer days can occur.
Is September a good time to visit Bilbao?
Yes. September is one of the strongest months for most visitors because temperatures remain comfortable while the biggest late-August festival crowds have passed.
Is winter worth visiting Bilbao?
Yes, especially for museums, architecture and food. Expect cooler and wetter weather and keep outdoor plans flexible.
What should I wear in Bilbao?
Pack layers, comfortable walking shoes and a waterproof outer layer. Water-resistant footwear is particularly useful because rain can leave central stone streets wet.
When is Aste Nagusia in 2026?
Aste Nagusia 2026 runs from August 22 to August 30. It is Bilbao’s biggest festival period and changes hotel demand, crowds and the atmosphere of the city.
So, when should you visit Bilbao?
Choose May, June or September for the best overall balance. Choose July for the driest average weather, late August for Aste Nagusia, and autumn or winter if museums and food matter more than guaranteed outdoor conditions.
Whatever month you choose, Bilbao rewards flexible planning: treat rain as something that may reorder your day, not automatically ruin it.