A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bilbao vs. Ljubljana for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Bilbao or Ljubljana?

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 Ljubljana. 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.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a friendly, industrial, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Bilbao travel costs.

Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a charming, under-rated, and authentic capital city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Ljubljana is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Ljubljana travel costs.

Bilbao and Ljubljana: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Ljubljana?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bilbao than Ljubljana. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bilbao is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, and nightlife, while Ljubljana attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Bilbao is famous for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. It is also well known for The Guggenheim Museum. Ljubljana is famous for its small town atmosphere in a big city setting that's filled with culture, architecture, and natural beauty.

How is Bilbao different from Ljubljana?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ljubljana and Bilbao. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bilbao or Ljubljana?

Bilbao is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bilbao can be an interesting and educational experience. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

Ljubljana offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Because the city is so compact, it's easy to see the notable landmarks with an easy walk. Famous landmarks include Ljubljana Castle, the Dragon Bridge, and the Franciscan Church.

Is the Food Better in Bilbao or Ljubljana? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bilbao is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Bilbao is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Ljubljana. The city is surrounded by nature, so there's easy access to wild fruits and vegetables. It also has a lot of locally made honey and traditional, family run restaurants. Popular dishes include local sausage, pražen krompir (a potato side dish) and Slovenian style fried chicken.

Is Bilbao or Ljubljana Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is a great city for nightlife. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Bilbao has something for everybody. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Ljubljana. Given its small size, there are a surprising number of clubs and bars in town. The city has a vibrant energy in the evening, and it's easy to travel from venue to venue on foot.

Is Bilbao or Ljubljana Better for its Old Town?

Ljubljana is well known for its old town. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Ljubljana. The old town is compact with wondering cobblestone streets and historic landmarks. At the heart of the city is Prešernov trg Square, which is where you'll find several notable buildings and nearby Central Market.

Bilbao has an old town worth visiting. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Ljubljana?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Ljubljana and Bilbao.

Bilbao is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Ljubljana. The city has several shopping streets where you can find local and international fashion brands. Many people enjoy shopping for crystal and glass products in the city. Also check out the Central Market which has fresh local food products.

Is Bilbao or Ljubljana More Beautiful?

Ljubljana is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Bilbao is not a destination known for its beauty.

Ljubljana is a beautiful place to visit, too. The city has wandering cobblestone streets and traditional family run restaurants that give the area a sense of authenticity.

Bilbao is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bilbao or Ljubljana Better for Families?

Bilbao is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Ljubljana is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Bilbao offers lots of family activities. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Ljubljana is not the most family-friendly destination. The city has several good museums including the House of Experiments, which is only open on weekends. There are parks you can explore and it's fun to take the funicular to the castle. You can also take a boat ride which is fun for the whole family.

Is Bilbao or Ljubljana Better for Couples?

Bilbao and Ljubljana both nice destinations for a couple.

Bilbao makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Ljubljana is a good city for couples to visit. It's one of the more under-rated cities in Europe, but there are a number of romantic activities that you can enjoy here. Explore the old town, wander through the botanical gardens, or take a boat ride along the river. All make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Bilbao or Ljubljana Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ljubljana is well known for backpackers. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ljubljana is a great capital city to visit for backpackers. Although its not as popular as many of the more well known cities, this is an affordable option that is great for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Bilbao or Ljubljana Better for Students?

Bilbao and Ljubljana are nice places to visit for students.

Bilbao is popular with students. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

It's common for students to visit Ljubljana. If you're looking for a unique study abroad opportunity, the University of Ljubljana offers an excellent academic experience in a a lively small city with easy access to nature.

Is Bilbao or Ljubljana Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bilbao is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its public transit.

Visitors to Bilbao can move around easily with public transportation. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Ljubljana has a few public transit options. There is a city bus system.

Is Bilbao or Ljubljana a more walkable city?

Ljubljana is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Ljubljana is a very walkable capital city. It is compact and easy to explore on foot.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Bilbao Worth Visiting? and Is Ljubljana Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ljubljana or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Ljubljana?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bilbao and Ljubljana. In our opinion, Bilbao has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bilbao than Ljubljana. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bilbao, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ljubljana.

Families should spend more time in Bilbao than Ljubljana. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bilbao, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bilbao than Ljubljana. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bilbao that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ljubljana than Bilbao if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ljubljana.

One day in Bilbao or Ljubljana?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bilbao. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ljubljana. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bilbao or Ljubljana?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Bilbao. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Ljubljana is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bilbao or Ljubljana?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Bilbao. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ljubljana. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bilbao or Ljubljana?

Bilbao is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Ljubljana. This capital city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ljubljana, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Ljubljana.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Ljubljana, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Ljubljana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ljubljana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ljubljana and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao than you might in Ljubljana.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bilbao Expensive? and Is Ljubljana Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Ljubljana?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Ljubljana. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Ljubljana, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bilbao or Ljubljana?

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 Ljubljana in the Summer?

Both Ljubljana and Bilbao during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ljubljana for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Bilbao is generally around the same temperature as Ljubljana. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 20°C (68°F), and Ljubljana fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In Ljubljana, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Ljubljana. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 260 hours of full sun.

Ljubljana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bilbao usually gets less rain in July than Ljubljana. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Ljubljana in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Ljubljana. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Ljubljana because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Bilbao is a little warmer than Ljubljana in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 16°C (62°F) in October, and Ljubljana fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Bilbao usually receives more sunshine than Ljubljana during autumn. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies, while Ljubljana receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Ljubljana receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bilbao usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ljubljana. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bilbao or Ljubljana in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Ljubljana. The winter months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ljubljana this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ljubljana in the winter. In the winter, Bilbao is much warmer than Ljubljana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bilbao in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Ljubljana averages at about 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Bilbao often gets more sunshine than Ljubljana. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 47 hours of full sun.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bilbao usually gets more rain in January than Ljubljana. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Ljubljana in the Spring?

Both Ljubljana and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ljubljana for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Bilbao is generally around the same temperature as Ljubljana. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 12°C (54°F), and Ljubljana fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Ljubljana during spring. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Ljubljana receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ljubljana. It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In April, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Ljubljana. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ljubljana and Bilbao