INNspiring travels contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of our affiliate links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See our Privacy Policy for more information.

|

8 Unique Boutique Hotels in Bilbao Spain

Discover the 8 most unique boutique hotels in Bilbao, Spain, 4 in the city center and 4 charming countryside and seaside stays less than 20 minutes away. Handpicked!

Although I was born and raised in Madrid, I’ve visited Bilbao many times for work, and every time I go back, I fall more in love with the Basque Country. My family is especially fond of this region as my in-laws actually got married in San Sebastián, so it holds a special place in our hearts.

We’ve spent more time in San Sebastián over the years, but a few years ago we did a road trip around northern Spain and really got to explore Bilbao too. The city’s creative spirit, incredible food, and the green landscapes that surround it make it such a unique destination in Spain. I specially love it in summer and early autumn.

In this post, I’m sharing 8 boutique hotels in Bilbao that I’ve handpicked, 4 in the heart of the city and 4 countryside escapes less than 20 minutes away. Whatever you are looking for, I’m sure there’s a perfect stay for you in my list!

🌞 For more beautiful hotel guides around Spain, including Madrid, make sure to check out my full page about Unique Hotels in Spain!🇪🇸

🌞Planning visits to other cities in Northern Spain or a road trip? You can’t miss my favorite 10 Best Boutique Hotels in San Sebastian Spain.🇪🇸

First of all, we want to thank you for reading my blog. You must know you are helping others❤️ INNspiring travels is a social travel blog that showcases unique places to stay around the world while contributing a part of its earnings to making a positive impact in disadvantaged communities worldwide.

Explore my website to learn more about who I help, discover the most unique places to stay, the best travel guides and inspiring travel stories!Thank you for being here!

rooftop pool at palacio arriluce, one of the best boutique hotels in bilbao spain

Getting to and Around Bilbao, Spain

How to get to Bilbao, Spain

  • By Train: Bilbao is connected by comfortable medium-distance trains. While there’s no AVE high-speed line yet, you can take a Renfe Alvia train from Madrid, which takes around 5 hours. Trains from other northern cities like San Sebastián or Santander are shorter.
  • By Bus: There are frequent long-distance buses to Bilbao from cities like Madrid, Barcelona, or Zaragoza. It’s a slower option, but it can be very budget-friendly. I usually book my bus tickets in Spain here,
  • By Car: Driving to Bilbao is a great way to explore the Basque Country at your own pace. From Madrid, it’s around 4–5 hours via the A-1.

🚕 Private Transfer: If you are coming from other cities in Spain and prefer a private transfer I understand too and I usually use this company.

private transfer to bilbao

Getting Around Bilbao and Renting a Car – Road trip around Northern Spain

One of the things I love most about Bilbao is how walkable it is. You can easily explore the city on foot, from the buzzing Casco Viejo (Old Town) to the modern riverside promenade and the iconic Guggenheim.

If you don’t have one already, renting a car for a road trip around Northern Spain is a great idea for exploring charming towns and the Basque countryside at your own pace after visiting Bilbao.

best car rentals in bilbao

Preview Map with the Best Boutique Hotels in Bilbao

Where to Stay in Bilbao: 8 Best Boutique Hotels in Bilbao, Spain

Hotels in Bilbao City Center

Let’s dive right into the 8 Best Boutique Hotels in Bilbao:

1. Goien Boutique Hotel

Bilbao city center, Spain
From 300€/night, 1-4 pax

  • A neatly made bed with crisp white linens and gold trim, featuring the embroidered logo of Hotel COZIER—one of the top boutique hotels in Bilbao. The bed is set against a light brown paneled wall with a small wall-mounted reading light above.
  • A narrow balcony with a railing and a chair overlooks historic buildings, including a tall stone bell tower with a dome, under a clear sky—an ideal scene found at many boutique hotels in Bilbao.
  • A stylish, dimly lit lounge reminiscent of boutique hotels in Bilbao, featuring dark wood floors, a mirrored wall, shelves filled with books, a bar area, and a gold drinks trolley topped with assorted bottles and decanters.
  • A modern bathroom with textured walls, a round backlit mirror above a sleek white pedestal sink, a tall potted plant, and soft warm lighting—reminiscent of the style found in boutique hotels in Bilbao.

If you’re looking for somewhere really special to stay in Bilbao’s Old Town, Goien Boutique Hotel is a great idea! The building is historic and the beds are super comfy. Breakfast is a real treat and the staff couldn’t be nicer. It’s in the heart of the Casco Viejo, but still manages to feel peaceful. Honestly, hard to beat if you’re after a boutique hotel in Bilbao.

Book goien boutique

2. Hotel Tayko Bilbao

Bilbao city center, Spain
From 200€/night, 1-3 pax

  • A minimalist hotel room typical of boutique hotels in Bilbao, featuring two single beds pushed together, white bedding, a concrete accent wall, a hanging wire lamp, and cozy soft lighting for a warm atmosphere.
  • A cozy reading nook, reminiscent of the inviting spaces found in boutique hotels in Bilbao, features a gray armchair and two small round tables by a large window framed with black curtains, offering views of autumn trees. A book and a small vase of flowers rest on the tables.
  • A modern indoor walkway with metal railings sits beside exposed brick walls and a window, capturing the industrial-rustic charm often found in boutique hotels in Bilbao. The area is well-lit, with smooth floors and crisp white walls.
  • A city street curves past ornate historic buildings showcasing varied architecture; people stroll wide sidewalks under a blue sky with scattered clouds, just steps from some of the finest boutique hotels in Bilbao.

Tayko is one of those boutique hotels in Bilbao that makes a real impression since you arrive. The building dates back to 1924 but they’ve done an amazing job mixing the original character with modern design. The location is spot on (right by the river and a short walk to the Guggenheim). Also, if you can, eat at Ola, the Michelin-starred restaurant inside the hotel, it’s next-level.

Book tayko bilbao

3. Bilder Boutique Hotel

Bilbao city center, Spain
From 180€/night, 1-4 pax

  • A wooden bedside table with a magazine and a decorative branch sits next to a bed with white bedding— reminiscent of the elegant style found in boutique hotels in Bilbao; a reading light is mounted on the paneled wall above the table.
  • A dimly lit restaurant interior inspired by boutique hotels in Bilbao, with rough textured concrete walls, red neon light accents, cozy seating, potted plants, and warm ambient lighting creating an inviting, modern atmosphere.
  • A cozy living room reminiscent of boutique hotels in Bilbao, with a beige sofa, plaid armchairs, a round wooden coffee table, a large empty brick fireplace, built-in bookshelves, a potted plant, and a large arched window letting in natural light.
  • A riverside view of a historic building with a green roof in a European city, seen from a bridge with ornate lampposts. The sky is blue with scattered clouds, and people stroll along the path near boutique hotels in Bilbao.

If you’re looking for a boutique hotel in Bilbao’s Casco Viejo, Bilder is a great option. It’s just a couple of minutes from Plaza Nueva (aka pintxo heaven), and you can walk along the river to the Guggenheim in about 20 minutes. The location is ideal—right in the old town but close to everything.

Book bilder boutique

4. Hotel Ercilla de Bilbao

Bilbao city center, Spain
From 170€/night, 1-3 pax

  • A modern hotel room at one of the boutique hotels in Bilbao features a large bed, plaid pillows, a wall-mounted TV, circular mirrors above the headboard, and a window seat with cushions overlooking city buildings. Warm lighting highlights wooden accents.
  • Rooftop terrace at one of the boutique hotels in Bilbao, with round tables and cushioned wooden chairs, overlooks a sunset cityscape. Decorative string lights and greenery enhance the cozy, inviting atmosphere.
  • A modern, beige-tiled shower in one of the Boutique Hotels in Bilbao features a rain showerhead, a built-in bench, and shelves with folded towels labeled Ercilla de Bilbao. A large window reveals a room adorned with framed art.
  • A stylish lounge in the spirit of boutique hotels in Bilbao, with blue velvet sofas, round tables, and striped carpeting. Green plants and wood paneling add a cozy, modern touch alongside framed art and vinyl records on the walls.

I stayed at Hotel Ercilla several times when I visited Bilbao for work, and it always delivered. The location is super central, great for getting around the city easily. I loved the rooftop bar and service was always solid. I prefer the rooms on one of the higher floors as they have amazing views over the city. It’s a good choice for business or couples, though maybe not ideal for families.

Book hotel ercilla

Other UNIQUE Boutique Hotels in Bilbao city center

  • If you are looking for an adults-only boutique hotel or a hotel with a rooftop pool stay at Axel Hotel Bilbao.
  • If you prefer staying at a boutique apartment in Bilbao city center, my recommendation is definitely Batimont Suites & Apartments.

Boutique Hotels Less Than 20 Minutes from Bilbao

5. Hotel Palacio Urgoiti

12 minutes from Bilbao city center
From 120€/night, 1-4 pax

  • A large stone country house with a red tile roof, surrounded by green lawns and gardens, evokes the charm of Boutique Hotels in Bilbao. Several cars are parked nearby, with hills and forests visible under a partly cloudy sky.
  • A small balcony at one of the boutique hotels in Bilbao features two wicker chairs and a round table set for breakfast, with orange juice, coffee, and stunning views of green trees and distant mountains under a blue sky.
  • A cozy bedroom inspired by boutique hotels in Bilbao, featuring a wooden beamed ceiling, patterned carpet, floral curtains, a wooden-framed bed, ornate armoire, bedside tables with lamps, and a red-striped sofa and ottoman at the foot of the bed.
  • Two wooden lounge chairs with rolled white towels face an indoor pool with a decorative water feature—a scene often found in boutique hotels in Bilbao. A small table holds drinks and snacks, while green ferns add to the calm, relaxing setting.

Palacio Urgoiti is an old palace turned hotel, with grand spaces and beautiful grounds full of greenery. There’s a pool, a small golf course, and a gym, plus it’s pet friendly—they even have pet beds. It is also very close to the port, to Bilbao city and 5 minutes to the airport.

Book palacio urgoiti

6. Palacio Arriluce Hotel – The Leading Hotels of the World

14 minutes from Bilbao city center
From 350€/night

  • A grand, historic stone mansion with towers and ornate windows stands amid lush greenery, reminiscent of the boutique hotels in Bilbao, with mountains and a city visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
  • rooftop pool at palacio arriluce, one of the best boutique hotels in bilbao spain
  • A row of blue cushioned lounge chairs lines the side of a modern outdoor swimming pool at one of the boutique hotels in Bilbao, surrounded by stone walls and columns, with patio tables and greenery in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
  • A modern bedroom inspired by boutique hotels in Bilbao, featuring a high vaulted wooden ceiling, green paneled walls, a padded beige headboard, dark bedside tables with lamps, decorative pillows, and wall-mounted round lights above the bed.

One of my favorite boutique hotels in Bilbao Spain, hands down. Palacio Arriluce is a restored castle sitting on the cliffs of Getxo, with views that honestly stop you in your tracks. The building and gardens are stunning, but what really makes it special is the care and attention from the staff. There’s a wellness area, beautiful outdoor spaces, and the town of Getxo itself is lovely to walk around.

Book palacio arriluce

7. Hotel Iraragorri

18 minutes from Bilbao city center
From 130€/night, 1-3 pax

  • A simple bedroom reminiscent of boutique hotels in Bilbao, featuring a wooden headboard, two single beds pushed together with white bedding, a pillow, a small dark nightstand, and candle-style sconces on light-colored walls.
  • A small outdoor table with a white tablecloth, four black chairs, a bottle of wine, and a vase of flowers is set on green grass in a lush garden—reminiscent of the charming ambiance at boutique hotels in Bilbao.
  • A cozy living room inspired by boutique hotels in Bilbao, with leather sofas, floral cushions, a wooden coffee table set with a teapot and cups, a bowl of apples, a plant, white paneled walls, a vintage clock, and a large brass pendant lamp overhead.
  • A rustic, two-story house with stone and white stucco walls, warmly lit at night. Reminiscent of boutique hotels in Bilbao, it features wooden beams, red-trimmed windows, a small balcony, and a garden with grass and bushes.

This is exactly the kind of place I love to include in my articles, small, family-run, full of character, and clearly looked after with love. Hotel Iraragorri is just outside Bilbao with a train station right across the street, making it super easy to get into town (15 minutes). The building has tons of old-world charm, the food is genuinely excellent and the people are incredibly warm.

Book hotel iraragorri

8. Ercilla Embarcadero Hotel

14 minutes from Bilbao city center
From 170€/night, 1-3 pax

  • A vintage red convertible car is parked on a cobblestone driveway in front of a large, elegant building with white walls—reminiscent of the chic style found at boutique hotels in Bilbao—under a clear blue sky.
  • A cozy lounge in one of the boutique hotels in Bilbao features striped sofas and a coffee table, looking out through a large window to a scenic harbor with boats, distant mountains, and an outdoor deck with wooden chairs and flower pots.
  • A cozy bedroom reminiscent of Boutique Hotels in Bilbao, with a white pillow and blanket on the bed, a bedside table holding books, a lamp, a plant, and a clock, set against floral-patterned wallpaper and a window in the background.
  • A bright bedroom in the style of Boutique Hotels in Bilbao, with floral wallpaper and a large bed, features glass doors opening to a balcony overlooking a calm waterfront and distant hills. A small table and chair await on the balcony.

This elegant hotel in Getxo feels like stepping into a beautifully restored Basque mansion. It’s right by the water on Paseo Zugazarte, great for morning walks with sea views. Beautiful hotel grounds and delicious food! A peaceful, refined place to relax just outside the buzz of central Bilbao.

Book ercilla embarcadero

Other Things to Know about Visiting Bilbao

My Top 3 Local Things to Do in Bilbao

These are my favorite highly-rated experiences I genuinely recommend to my friends when visiting Bilbao:

  • Guggenheim: Art Explained by Artists
    Even if you’re not big on museums, this one’s different, artists themselves explain the works, and it makes everything feel so much more personal and alive.
Powered by GetYourGuide

My Favorite 3 DAY TRIPS from Bilbao

These are my favorite day trips from Bilbao:

  • From Bilbao: Loyola, Getaria, Zarautz and San Sebastian Tour
    If you want to explore the Basque coast beyond Bilbao, this full-day trip is the perfect mix of charming villages, stunning seaside views, and cultural stops. If you haven’t planned some days in San Sebastián, you have to take this trip! It is so beautiful.
  • From Bilbao: Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour
    An absolute dream day if you love wine, design, and landscapes, think cutting-edge wineries, rolling vineyards, and delicious tastings.
  • Bilbao: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and Walk along Basque CoastWalk the dramatic coastline and climb to the famous Game of Thrones site, honestly, the views alone are worth it!
Powered by GetYourGuide

Best Time of year to Visit Bilbao

If you’re thinking of visiting Bilbao, my favorite time to go is between May and October. The weather is mild, everything feels super alive, and it’s just the perfect time to enjoy the city.

  • I especially love late spring and early autumn: it’s not too hot, there aren’t too many tourists, and you can really enjoy the vibe walking along the river or hopping from one pintxos bar to the next.

If you’re into festivals, August is amazing because of Aste Nagusia, the city’s biggest party of the year! Just keep in mind it can be a bit humid in the summer. I’d skip winter unless you don’t mind grey skies and drizzle, it’s cozy in its own way, but definitely not beach weather.

Best eSIM Option in Spain

Since we live in Madrid, we don’t need an e-sim in Spain, but I know that having reliable data makes every trip smoother, whether it’s finding the best pintxos spots, checking surf conditions, or booking a last-minute table. This is why when we travel we always use this eSIM because it’s the cheapest and easiest option.

best esim in spain

Traveling around Spain and Final Thoughts

🌞Planning visits to other cities in Northern Spain or a road trip? You can’t miss my favorite 10 Best Boutique Hotels in San Sebastian Spain.🇪🇸

While I love Bilbao and the Basque country, the truth is that it’s just one of many beautiful regions we have in Spain worth exploring. From the stunning architecture of Barcelona and the rich history of Andalusia o the artistic treasures of Madrid and the incredible beauty of the Balearic islands, each place boasts its own unique charm and attractions.

more unique hotels in Spain

you may also like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *