A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zagora vs. Bilbao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zagora or Bilbao?

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

Should I visit Zagora or Bilbao? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Zagora or Bilbao?

Zagora

A small town in southern Morocco, Zagora is a popular base camp for excursions on foot, by camel, or four wheel drive vehicles into the surrounding desert. One of the most famous and historic treks is the ancient caravan route to Timbuktu, marked by a famous sign at the end of town - indicating a journey of "52 days" by camel.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Morocco, The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Bilbao or Zagora?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zagora is $66, while the average daily cost in Bilbao is $200. 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 Zagora and Bilbao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zagora $40
    Bilbao $85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zagora $80
    Bilbao $170
Compare Hotels in Zagora and Bilbao

Looking for a hotel in Zagora or Bilbao? 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.

Hotels in Zagora


Hotels in Bilbao


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: Zagora Hotel Prices and Bilbao Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zagora $1.58
    Bilbao $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:

  • Bilbao Airport Private Departure Transfer: $52
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $60
  • Bilbao city to Bilbao Airport (BIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
  • Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao City - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
  • Bilbao Private Transfer from Bilbao city centre to Bilbao Airport: $80
  • Private Transfer from Bilbao Cruise Port to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $94
  • Private Transfer from Bilbao Cruise Port to Bilbao City Hotels: $94
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to Vitoria city: $97
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Luxury Van: $105
  • Bilbao Airport to the Basque Country: Private Transfers: $105
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao: $176
  • Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Bilbao Airport: $176

Is it cheaper to fly into Zagora or Bilbao?

Prices for flights to both Bilbao and Zagora 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zagora $25
    Bilbao $91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagora

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagora.

  • Morocco Cooking Class Tour with local market visit : $39

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
  • Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao: $120
  • The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local: $126
  • Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $148
  • Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $150
  • Immersive Basque Cooking Class: $165
  • Small-group Immersive Basque Cooking Class in Bilbao with Open Bar: $180
  • Private Guided Street Food Tour of Bilbao: $182

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zagora $3.16
    Bilbao $34

Tours and Activities in Zagora

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zagora are as follows:

  • 2 days tour from Zagora to Erg Chegaga: $149
  • Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 (All-inclusive) 2-Days: $179
  • Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 and camel ride : $191
  • Private Day Camel Trekking Tour in Draa Valley from Zagora: $235

Tours and Activities in Bilbao

Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bilbao Year of Love: Romantic Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16
  • Bilbao Cathedral and San Anton Church Entry Ticket: $12
  • 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour: $17
  • San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour: $19
  • I am a tour guide who shows the history of the town of Bilbao.: $20
  • Bilbao Estuary and Abra Bay Boat Tour: $22
  • Bilbao Walking Tour and cable car in spanish: $22
  • Bilbao old town walking tour: $23
  • Bilbao Historical Tour in small group: $23
  • Self Guided Bike Tour in Getxo (Scenic Bilbao's Seaside): $30
  • Old Town Bilbao Tour in small group: $30
  • Historical Walking Tour and Highlights: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zagora -
    Bilbao $25

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: $119
  • Basque Best Bites - #1 Food & Wine tour of Bilbao: $120
  • Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $195
  • Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $197
  • Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $207
  • Boutique Rioja Wine Tour with Charming Lunch (From Bilbao): $266
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $287


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zagora and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Zagora much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zagora is in Africa and Bilbao is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Zagora would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zagora 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 Zagora.

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


Which is Bigger, Zagora or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Zagora. When comparing the sizes of Zagora 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.