Coming to Bilbao with kids is a great choice. There are so many really enjoyable things to do in Bilbao with kids, and you and your family will have so much fun during your time in the city.

When you head to this gorgeous town, you will probably arrive at Bilbao airport, which will place you just steps away from all the fun that you and your family have been dreaming of. Before you head out to have lots of adventures, make sure to place your luggage in secure storage in Bilbao. Having your hands free will make your day much more enjoyable and memorable.

Once your bags are in storage, it's time to have all the family holiday fun that you have been planning while you are visiting Bilbao.

The Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim Museum is one of those things that you just have to see when you are in the Basque country of Spain. This lovely location offers you access to lots of fine art, sculpture, and interactive exhibits that kids will love. The building itself is its own work of art and there is something really magical about this structure and all that it stands for. It's easily one of the best museums in Bilbao.

The Guggenheim Foundation works hard to make art available to everyone, and the Guggenheim Museum collection is accessible for everyone and very memorable. This is one of the things to do in Bilbao with kids that your children might think will be boring, but they will be wrong!

Casco Viejo

Visiting Bilbao's Old Town is a lot of fun and it is a great place for history buffs and children alike. Check out the San Anton bridge and all the charming old buildings that have been maintained since the town was much older. This is one of the parts of the Basque region that still has historical buildings like this in use and your kids will love that Old Town feels like something right out of a fairy tale.

Old Town offers access to fine dining, bakeries, and pastry shops, as well as shopping and sightseeing. This is one of the prettiest places in the Basque region and it should be on your list of things to do when you visit Bilbao.

Take a Bike Tour

There are many companies that offer bike tours of the city that are part-day or full-day trips. This is one of the most fun things to do in Bilbao with kids, and it is a great choice for those with really high-energy children that need something active to do. Learn all about the Basque countryside on these tours and see locations that make Northern Spain so lovely.

There are also walking tours that will cover much of the same information, but biking will allow you and your kids to see so much more for the same price.

Vizcaya Bridge

This is a World Heritage site protected by UNESCO and it is one of the loveliest bridges in the middle of the city. This bridge actually dates from the late 1800s, but it is classically designed and is one of the prettiest of the hanging bridge structures that are scattered throughout the city. This is a great place to drop by during your day trip into Old Town or you might pass this attractive place during a walking tour as well. Plus, it's completely free to visit. Check out our guide on more fun free things to do in Bilbao.

Plaza Nueva

This neoclassical square will feel like it was pulled right out of a city like Venice and dropped into Bilbao. This is a nice quiet picnic spot where you can also enjoy some people watching and take a break during your day trip. There is outdoor seating here to rest on and there might be a concert or some other entertainment in the square if you are in the city at the right time.

This is one of the best places to see traditional architecture and lovely arches and during public holidays, you can have some added fun due to the events that might be going on in the space.

Glass Bottom Boat Tour

There is a lot of water around this city and you can easily plan a fun glass bottom boat tour for you and your kids to enjoy here. There are not as many things to see in the water near the city as you might be expecting, but the tour guides will also describe the stunning architecture that is passing by and tell you about the history of Bilbao as you float. This is a great way to explore the city without having to walk and you and your kids will love the whimsy of this fun adventure.

Euskal Museoa Bilbao

Dedicated to the history of the Basque country, this lovely museum is fun for kids and adults alike. This is one of the more affordable places to stop in to see art and learn about the history of the Basque Country, and the building itself is really lovely.

Seafaring history is discussed in great detail here as well, which can be a really great choice for a child that is interested in pirates and the ocean itself. While not the same as the Guggenheim Museum, this is one of the best museums to enjoy when you visit Bilbao.

Puppy

This huge statue, created by Jeff Koons, is a delight to people of all ages. Head here for a chance to take selfies with a giant, flowery puppy sculpture. This lovely spot is in front of the Guggenheim Museum and when you are in Bilbao with kids, you have to make a stop to enjoy this silly and also really pretty statue. This is a place for great fun with your kids and a good place to record some memories.

La Ribera Market

This is a fun place to head for some shopping, a view of the water, and a quiet place to snack on local treats. Your kids will love this great location since it is close to so many sweet shops and places to get delightful pastries and snacks, and you will appreciate that this spot offers you access to the Mercado de la Ribera as well as the original seven streets that make up the center of the city.

Parque Doña Casilda de Iturrizar

This charming park is full of palms, fountains, and paths to walk along. You can come here when you are in Bilbao with kids to enjoy the outdoors and give your kids a moment to unwind and run around a little. The green spaces here and the delightful walking paths make for a lovely combination of experiences that can delight all ages.

This beautiful spot is one of the nicest green spaces in the city and you will love that this park can be enjoyed throughout the entire year.

Museo Maritimo Ria de Bilbao

For kids that are interested in maritime things and pirates, this is a really delightful museum to visit while you are in Bilbao. This is a museum that is dedicated to the seafaring history of this lovely city and you will be steps away from Casco Viejo when you visit as well. Heading to this informative and interactive stop is very easy if you have planned other activities such as a stop in Mercado de la Ribera.

Mercado de las Especias

Head here on the weekends for delicious locally-made treats and to wander through stalls of locally crafted products. The Basque Country is known for its food and handcrafts and this lovely shopping opportunity is a great spot to enjoy them at. Your older kids will love the food and the delightful local items they can buy here for their friends at home.

You can save a little money shopping here with your family and you will be supporting local artisans as well as local chefs. This is a great way to spend a morning on the weekend and if you are in town during any festival or holiday, expect this event to be even more interesting than it would be on a normal Sunday.

Funicular de Artxanda and Mount Artxanda

Kids always love riding anything that reminds them of a fair ride and the Funicular de Artxanda is a great option if this is the case for your kids. Take one of the carriages up the side of the mountain and enjoy beautiful views of the city from the top of the mountain. You will be able to enjoy sweeping views of all the close neighborhoods in this area and the funicular leaves every 15 minutes which makes it easy to partake of the fun here.

Kayaking

If your kids are old enough to handle a kayak, there are various kayaking tours that leave from all over the city. You will be able to see the old and newer parts of this lovely location in Basque country and you will get to enjoy the water and a workout at the same time. These tours range in price and duration, and they are sometimes sold with free tickets to places like the Guggenheim Museum or locations of note in Casco Viejo.

Kayaking can be a really get way to have lots of outdoor fun while also getting to learn about the history of this unique city and the maritime past that made it great.

Deusto Expo Center

This is a great place to bring your kids to see kid-focused art and interactive displays. There is a lot to see and do here and the focus of the exhibits changes all the time. Public schools head here for trips all the time and you might need to prepare for some crowded times if there is a holiday during your stay.

Your kids will have tons of fun here seeing all the kid-centric exhibits and displays. How many places have kid-focused exhibits to enjoy during your stay? This is one of the best things to do in Bilbao with kids and they will never forget seeing the various art and other kinds of exhibits here.

What are the best family activities in Bilbao?

Bilbao offers all kinds of fun things to see and do when you visit. There are so many reasons that you might want to head to this lovely city for your vacation. You will find that the museums are all kid-friendly and that the parks and various outdoor spaces make lovely locations for picnics, some fun running around, or even walking with your whole family of all ages.

Make sure to take the time to head to the Casco Viejo area for some delicious food and possibly even consider booking your hotel in the Casco Viejo area. This part of the city affords you the most contact with the city as it once was, which can be really memorable. Kids will really enjoy the Funicular ride as well as the bakeries and pastry shops that are clustered near the center of the city.

Enjoying Bilbao as a Family is Easy!

When you head to Bilbao with kids, you will have so much fun. There are so many family-friendly things that you can do with your children here and you will not regret making a stop here to take in everything that the Basque country has to offer. Make sure to stop by places like the Puppy statue and the Guggenheim Museum for opportunities to see things that you will not get access to anywhere else in this part of the world.

When you arrive in Bilbao, make sure that you put your bags into secure storage before you head out to have fun. Having your hands free and the peace of mind that you need to be sure that your bags are safe is valuable!