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Best time to visit Bilbao: month by month
Short answer
May–June and September–October are the best times, with highs of about 21–26°C and fewer rainy days than winter. July and August are warmest (25–26°C) and the driest, July having only about 7 rainy days, but hotel prices rise, especially during Aste Nagusia in late August. Rain is possible in every month.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 12°C | 5°C | 15 | low |
| Feb | 15°C | 6°C | 12 | low |
| Mar | 17°C | 8°C | 16 | medium |
| Apr | 17°C | 8°C | 12 | medium |
| May | 21°C | 11°C | 13 | medium |
| Jun | 24°C | 15°C | 14 | medium |
| Jul | 25°C | 16°C | 7 | high |
| Aug | 26°C | 17°C | 10 | very high |
| Sep | 26°C | 16°C | 13 | high |
| Oct | 23°C | 14°C | 10 | medium |
| Nov | 16°C | 9°C | 20 | low |
| Dec | 15°C | 8°C | 15 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs of 17–21°C with frequent showers (12–16 rainy days a month); green hills and few crowds.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The warmest and driest time, with highs of 24–26°C; beaches along the coast fill, and Aste Nagusia takes over the city for nine days in late August.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is still warm at about 26°C; it cools to 16°C by November, the rainiest month with about 20 rainy days.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Mild at 12–15°C by day and 5–8°C at night, but often wet; quiet and the cheapest for hotels.
Events worth planning around
- Aste Nagusia (Semana Grande), nine days of concerts and fireworks from the Saturday after 15 August
- BBK Live music festival on Mount Kobetamendi (July)
- Santo Tomás market with talo and txakoli (21 December)
- Bilbao Night Marathon (October, check dates)
When to avoid
If you dislike rain, avoid November, when about 20 days bring showers. If you dislike crowds and high prices, avoid the nine days of Aste Nagusia in late August.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Bilbao?
June or September: warm (24–26°C), mostly dry and less busy than August.
Does it always rain in Bilbao?
Rain is common in every season, but July is the driest month with about 7 rainy days. Carry a light umbrella year-round.
When is Aste Nagusia?
Nine days starting on the Saturday after 15 August. The city fills with concerts, fireworks and street bars, and hotels rise in price.