Bilbao lights up northern Spain with Christmas magic, pintxos trails, and flights cheaper than train fare, here’s what travelers need to know

Published October 31, 2025

Bilbao offers an easy holiday scene for London travelers this winter. The Basque capital’s riverside Christmas market near the Teatro Arriaga lights up, while direct flights from London usually land in under two hours – fast enough for a weekend filled with pintxos, gifts and sparkling walks through the city.

Why is Bilbao open on Christmas weekend?

The Christmas Market runs alongside the Old Town, putting the stalls, lights and heritage into one compact area. Official tourism listings refer to the historic market in Callie Belen And seasonal stalls along Riba/Muel de Riba Waterfront near Arriaga Theater, with trading days running from early December to early January in most years. This sets the festive browsing steps of Casco Viejo’s ‘seven streets’, gothic landmarks and covered food halls – perfect for combining shopping and culture.

Get there in less than two hours

Direct flights from London to Bilbao generally around the clock About 1h45-2h In the air depending on the wind and departure airport. The airline and aggregator pages offer multiple weekly services, and November is often a value month for deals. On some dates, prices were announced below £30This makes spontaneous trips plausible if travelers can pack and book early.

Landing made simple: from the airport to the city in one jump

Bilbao Airport (BIO), operated by AENA, is small and efficient. the Bizkibus A3247 The shuttle connects the station with Bilbao Intermediate, Plaza Moywa and Gran Via In about 20-35 minutes, about every 15-20 minutes during most of the day. The city’s official tourism pages list the same itinerary as the A3247, so first-time visitors can ride directly into the center of the old city hotels and market area.

What do you see around the market?

• Kaley Palin and Reba Quay: Seasonal huts selling handicrafts, decorations and regional products, within sight of Arriaga’s neo-Baroque facade.
• Casco Viejo “City Cales”: The medieval grid that cements Bilbao’s identity, with easy lanes for pintxos crawling and gift shopping.
• Arriaga Theater and Santiago Cathedral: The distinctive heritage stops that surround the market circle and provide attractive backdrops.

Impact on business travel and leisure tourism

For business travelers, Bilbao offers Short flight timesA Walkable centreand Reliable airport transportationallowing for one-and-a-half-day trips that still include dinners for customers in Casco Viejo. For leisure visitors, The triangle of the market – the old city – the museum (Arriaga – Cite Calles – Guggenheim District / Museum of Fine Arts) Minimizes transit time and maximizes walking time, which is a great advantage for short festive breaks. City improvements around Plaza Euskadi They also facilitate connections between museums and parks, adding fun diversions between meetings or market outings.

Quick tips for travelers

• fly light: Choose carry-on bags to keep prices low and get out of the airport fast.
• Use contactless payment technology, and carry some cash: Kiosks often accept cards, but small notes speed up purchases at busy times.
• Determine your meal time: The famous pintxos bars in Siete Calles reach their peak from 1:30 to 15:30 and in the evening – go early or late.
• Stay central: Casco Viejo or Abando hotels put you between market stalls and river walks.
• Mind your pockets: As in any crowded market, keep phones and wallets secure and use zip-lock bags.

Mini step by step plan (48 hour Christmas break)

1. Book a morning flight From London; Aim to arrive before noon (typical flight time ~1h45-2h).
2. Take bus A3247 to Plaza Moywa; Check-in or store bags near Abando/Casco Viejo.
3. Walk the market loop Via Bailén and Ripa Quay, then continue to Siete Calles to reach pintxos.
4. Evening river walk to the Guggenheim’s balcony of lights and images; Have dinner again in the old city.
5. Day 2 Museums: Museum of Fine Arts and riverside gardens. Grab last-minute gifts from the market before returning in the late afternoon.

Practical details at a glance (official)

• Christmas market area: Calle Bailén and Ripa, near Arriaga; Typical season is early December – early January.
• Old City: Heritage area “Siete Calles” is pedestrian friendly.
• Airport information: AENA Bilbao (BIO) for flights, lounges, accessibility and real-time updates.
• Airport bus: Bizkaibus A3247 To the city centre.

Key points

• Direct flights of less than two hours from London make Bilbao a convenient place for a Christmas market weekend.
• Festive stalls were set up on the river banks near the Arriaga Theater and along Calle Bailen, steps from the Old Town.
• The AENA-operated airport and A3247 shuttle bus simplifies arrivals and departures.
• November and early December often show the best flight values ​​on some dates.