Which place is cheaper, Costa de Prata or Bilbao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Bilbao or Costa de Prata?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bilbao and Costa de Prata. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Bilbao or Costa de Prata?
Bilbao
The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.
Costa de Prata
Costa de Prata is a region located on the Silver Coast of Portugal, an hour north of Lisbon. The area is known for its beautiful beaches, ancient architecture, and relaxed, welcoming, atmosphere. The area experiences gorgeous weather nearly all year round, with temperatures in the high 70's and 80's Fahrenheit from May-September. June-August sees the warmest ocean temperatures, making these the best months for swimming. Even during their winter, temperatures rarely dip below 60°F, although ocean temperatures drop, making swimming a bit colder.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal.
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Bilbao Prices
Spain PricesCosta de Prata Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBilbao €170Costa de Prata €184
The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is €170, while the average daily cost in Costa de Prata is €184. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bilbao and Costa de Prata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBilbao €72Costa de Prata €78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBilbao €144Costa de Prata €156
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and Costa de Prata
Looking for a hotel in Bilbao or Costa de Prata? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Bilbao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bilbao €26Costa de Prata €53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Transfer Bilbao or San Sebastian Airports to San Sebastian by Van: $116
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Pamplona: $264
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Laguardia town: $228
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao Cruise Port: $228
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao: $176
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Vitoria Airport : $97
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Pamplona Airport : $264
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Logroño Airport : $281
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Bilbao Airport: $176
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Laguardia town: $228
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Elciego town: $229
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Bilbao city: $176
Is it cheaper to fly into Bilbao or Costa de Prata?
Prices for flights to both Costa de Prata and Bilbao change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBilbao €77Costa de Prata €77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Bilbao Food Tour with Pintxos & Drinks with a Local: $105
- Bilbao Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local: $107
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $112
- Basque Food Tour and Wine Tasting with Guide: $112
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class: $112
- Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $119
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao: $120
- The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local: $125
- Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $148
- Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $149
- Immersive Basque Cooking Class: $165
- Private Guided Street Food Tour of Bilbao: $182
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bilbao €29Costa de Prata €13
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full-day private Bilbao tour (Guggenheim museum & full pintxo lunch included): $299
- Pintxos Tasting in Bilbao Small Group or Private Walking Tour: $102
- 2 Hours Private Family Guided Walking Tour in Bilbao: $215
- 4-hour Private Bilbao City Walking Tour: $213
- Alhondiga Bilbao Group Tour: $72
- Artist-Guided Tour of the Guggenheim Museum: $107
- Awesome Bilbao – Private Family Walking Tour: $473
- BILBAO-City Highlights Bike Tour: $42
- Basque Coast Tour: Vizcaya Bridge, Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Gernika: $72
- Basque Country 7-Day Guided Tour from Bilbao: $1,315
- Biarritz and French Basque coast small group tour lunch included: $285
- Bike tour with Pintxos & Drinks in Getxo (Scenic Bilbao Seaside): $66
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBilbao €21Costa de Prata €8.13
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Unique Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier - In Bilbao: $53
- Basque Wine Tasting with Sommelier (Bilbao): $54
- Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo, Mundaka, Gernika, & Wine Tour: $70
- From La Rioja Wineries Day Trip with Wine Tastings: $75
- Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $100
- The Authentic Bilbao Pintxos, Food & Wine Tour with a Local: $118
- Basque Best Bites - #1 Food & Wine tour of Bilbao: $119
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $195
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $198
- Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $207
- Boutique Rioja Wine Tour with Charming Lunch (From Bilbao): $266
- La Rioja Boutique Wine Tour & Charming Lunch (From Bilbao): $275
When comparing the travel costs between Bilbao and Costa de Prata, we can see that Costa de Prata is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bilbao Expensive? and Is Costa de Prata Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Bilbao or Costa de Prata?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Bilbao or Costa de Prata in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Costa de Prata. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.
Bilbao is cooler than Costa de Prata in the summer. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Costa de Prata. In the summer, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 308 hours of full sun.
Bilbao usually gets more rain in July than Costa de Prata. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBilbao 20°C (68°F)Costa de Prata 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Costa de Prata in the Autumn?
Both Costa de Prata and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Bilbao is cooler than Costa de Prata. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bilbao in October average around 16°C (62°F), and Costa de Prata averages at about 18°C (65°F).
Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Costa de Prata during autumn. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Costa de Prata. It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In October, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Costa de Prata. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBilbao 16°C (62°F)Costa de Prata 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Costa de Prata in the Winter?
Both Costa de Prata and Bilbao during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Bilbao is generally cooler than Costa de Prata. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 9°C (48°F), and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the winter, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 124 hours of full sun.
Costa de Prata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Costa de Prata. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBilbao 9°C (48°F)Costa de Prata 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Costa de Prata in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Costa de Prata. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the activities around the city during these months.
Bilbao is cooler than Costa de Prata in the spring. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Costa de Prata this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Costa de Prata during spring. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.
Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Costa de Prata. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBilbao 12°C (54°F)Costa de Prata 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Costa de Prata and Bilbao
| Bilbao | Costa de Prata | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.