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

Should you visit Inverness or Bilbao?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Inverness and Bilbao can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a local, historic, and cultural city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Inverness travel costs.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a industrial, authentic, and colorful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Bilbao travel costs.

Inverness and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Inverness or Bilbao?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bilbao than Inverness, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bilbao is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Inverness is more popular for its small town charm. Inverness is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. Also, Bilbao is famous for The Guggenheim Museum.

How is Inverness different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Inverness and Bilbao.

Many visitors head to Inverness specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

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.

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

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

Bilbao has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Inverness has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

Is Inverness or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Bilbao offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

Is Inverness or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is very good for its old town. However, Inverness does not have a historic old town.

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

Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Bilbao?

Both Inverness and Bilbao are high quality shopping destinations.

Inverness is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Inverness or Bilbao Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Inverness or Bilbao.

Inverness is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

Bilbao is a family-friendly city. 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 Inverness or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Both Inverness and Bilbao are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Inverness makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Bilbao is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Is Inverness or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bilbao is very good for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Inverness or Bilbao Better for Students?

Bilbao is very good for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

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

Inverness is not popular with students.

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

Bilbao is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Bilbao has some very good public transit options. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Inverness or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Inverness 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.

Inverness is a very walkable city. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town 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 Inverness Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Bilbao?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bilbao than Inverness 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 Inverness or Bilbao?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Inverness. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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.

A weekend in Inverness or Bilbao?

Inverness 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial 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.

Five days in Inverness or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Inverness. 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.

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.

A week in Inverness or Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Inverness. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Inverness and Bilbao, we can see that Inverness is more expensive. And not only is Bilbao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bilbao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bilbao 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 Inverness would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Inverness than you might in Bilbao.

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

Which is Bigger, Inverness or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness and Bilbao, 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 Inverness or Bilbao?

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 Inverness or Bilbao in the Summer?

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

Inverness is cooler than Bilbao in the summer. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during summer. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Inverness usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Inverness or Bilbao in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Inverness is much colder than Bilbao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Inverness in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Bilbao averages at about 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Bilbao. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Inverness usually gets less rain in October than Bilbao. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Inverness or Bilbao in the Winter?

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

The weather in Inverness can be very cold. In January, Inverness is generally much colder than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 3°C (38°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In January, Inverness usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Inverness or Bilbao in the Spring?

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

Inverness is much colder than Bilbao in the spring. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Inverness often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Inverness usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Inverness