Question 1

How is living in Bilbao like?

Accepted Answer

Living in Bilbao can be a dream come true for both foreigners and Spanish locals. The reason is that Bilbao has a rich cultural heritage, thanks to the Basque people that inhabit the region.

The Basque people are reputed for their great sportsmanship, and are known for inventing several court sports - most notably the Basque pelota.

The food and drinks here are delicious, and easily second to none in the entire Spain.

Question 2

How much is the cost of living in Bilbao?

Accepted Answer

The cost of living in Bilbao is quite moderate and lower than in other sister cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. This means you can live comfortably well in Bilbao no matter what you earn.

If you are still curious to know exactly what living in Bilbao costs, here is a breakdown of typical living expenditures.

A plate of good meal in a modest restaurant - €12.50
A bottle of beer - €3
A bottle of water - €1.2
1kg of rice - €1.2
One-month transport ticket - €38
1km trip in a taxi - €1
Utility bill for one month, including heating, water, and electricity - €138

So you see, we weren’t mincing words when we said living in Bilbao is quite cheap.

Question 3

What area of Bilbao is the best to live in?

Accepted Answer

Bilbao is adorned with lots of lovely places you can choose to make a home. Here are some of the best of them.

Uribarri

Home to Mount Artxanda, Uribarri is the place to be if you want to enjoy the panoramic coastline of Bilbao. There is also the Etxebarria park, where you can chill out and enjoy a nice picnic with friends.

What’s more, River Nervion touches the coastlines of Uribarri, making Uribarri a point of attraction for surfers and watersports lovers. Uribarri is well-known for its finger-licking Basque cuisines, and the cost of living here is very moderate.

Abando

Abando is one of the busiest cities in the Northern Spanish hemisphere, making it an excellent choice if you love the hustle and bustle of city life. Interestingly, Abando is known for many things, of which one is the numerous breath-taking and stylish architecture that adorn the city.

Another point of attraction is the Guggenheim Museum, unarguably one of the most popular museums in entire Europe. Abando ranks high in Spain when it comes to security and cleanliness. And yes, housing here is quite affordable.

Deusto

Deusto is basically a city for students. This is because two famous Universities in Bilbao are located here: the University of Deusto and the University of the Basque Country. Of course, that is not to say non-student don’t live here, but you will really love living in Deusto if you have plans of coming to study in Bilbao.

Deusto offers a lot of stunning sightings. To the northside is the Guggenheim Museum. In the opposite direction is the Mountainous countryside of Bilbao. Since it is student-centric, the cost of living in Deusto is moderate.

Question 4

How much are rents in Bilbao?

Accepted Answer

Like in every other place, what you pay in rent in Bilbao depends on many factors, such as size, location, amenities available, and many more.

Rental properties in Bilbao are within everyone’s reach. For example, you can rent a spacious 2-bedroom apartment for as low as 820 €/month.

If you want something cheaper and don’t mind giving up rooms, you can go for studio apartment in Bilbao; and pay only 650 €/month.

Or if you don’t mind sharing, a room in a shared apartment can cost you 325€/month. You could even get for less if you search harder.

Question 5

How is the public transport in Bilbao?

Accepted Answer

Bilbao has an expansive and well-developed public transport system, and there are many options you can choose from.

Firstly, there is the Bilbao Metro; it connects with every part and corner of Bilbao, including the outskirts. Then there is the Bilbao tram, which is also expansive. In addition, you can commute via Bilbaobus, which is a public bus transport system with a wide reach.

If none of those options tickles your fancy, you can opt to move around on a bicycle.

Question 6

Can foreigners rent in Bilbao?

Accepted Answer

The short and long answer is yes. Locals and foreigners can easily rent an apartment in Bilbao. Moving to another country is complicated, that's why at Spotahome we want to help you. With us you can rent your new home in Bilbao from wherever you are in the world. Everything easily, quickly and safely.

Question 7

Expert tips for renting in Bilbao

Accepted Answer

Renting a place to live in Bilbao is anything but difficult. Here are tips that will help make renting a place to live in Bilbao a seamless experience.

Use reputable websites for your search

One good thing about searching for an apartment in Bilbao is that you can conveniently do so online. Although rent scams are not that rampant, you can still fall victim. This is why we recommend using a reputable rental website such as Spotahome.

Understand the rental contract before paying

Who pays the bills and utilities: you or the landlord? If you decide to move out before your rent expires, will you get a balance? These are some of the questions you ought to find answers to, and the best way to do that is by thoroughly reading and understanding your rental agreement.

🏠 Nº of properties	326 flats, studios and rooms for rent
💵 Minimum monthly price	starting from 300 €
✔️ Verified properties	255 homes
🎓 Ideal for students	224 accommodations

326 flats and rooms to rent in Bilbao - Short & long term properties

Property types in Bilbao

Other cities in Spain

Bilbao Rentals: 2025 Market Data