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

Should you visit Bilbao or Oslo?

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 Oslo. 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 industrial, authentic, and colorful city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Bilbao travel costs.

Oslo

Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife. See Oslo travel costs.

Bilbao and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bilbao or Oslo?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bilbao than Oslo. While Oslo is larger than Bilbao, Bilbao has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bilbao is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Oslo attracts visitors for its big city activities. Oslo is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. 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.

How is Bilbao different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Oslo 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 Oslo?

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Bilbao and Oslo.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bilbao. 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.

Oslo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

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

Bilbao is an amazing city to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Bilbao or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is notable for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Bilbao has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Bilbao or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Bilbao to see the historical old town. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bilbao or Oslo?

Bilbao is notable for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Bilbao is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Bilbao or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Oslo is very family-friendly. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

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.

Is Bilbao or Oslo Better for Couples?

Bilbao and Oslo 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.

Oslo is a good city for couples to visit. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Bilbao or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bilbao and Oslo are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Oslo. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Bilbao or Oslo Better for Students?

Oslo is well known for students. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Oslo. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

It's common for students to visit Bilbao. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

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

Oslo is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Oslo is top-notch. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bilbao. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Bilbao or Oslo a more walkable city?

Oslo 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.

Oslo is a very walkable city. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun 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 Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Bilbao?

How long in Bilbao or Oslo?

In either Bilbao or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Bilbao because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bilbao, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bilbao than Oslo. 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 Bilbao than Oslo 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 Bilbao.

One day in Bilbao or Oslo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bilbao. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Oslo is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bilbao or Oslo?

Bilbao is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Oslo 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 Oslo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful destination of Bilbao. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Oslo. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bilbao or Oslo?

The colorful city of Bilbao offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the park-filled big city of Oslo. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Oslo, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Oslo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Oslo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oslo 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 Oslo.

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

Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Oslo, 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 Oslo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bilbao or Oslo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Oslo. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Bilbao is generally a little warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 20°C (68°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oslo this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bilbao usually receives less rain than Oslo. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bilbao or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Oslo. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Bilbao is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 16°C (62°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Bilbao often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bilbao usually gets more rain in October than Oslo. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bilbao or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

It's quite cold in Oslo in the winter. In the winter, Bilbao is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bilbao in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Bilbao usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In January, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Oslo. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bilbao or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo and Bilbao during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Oslo for the activities around the city.

In April, Bilbao is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 12°C (54°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Bilbao