Bilbao - Shopping

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Bilbao

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Overview

Shopping The guide was updated: 2025-12-23

Bilbao’s main shopping hub is Gran Vía, where department stores, boutiques, and designer shops line the street. For local flavours and fresh produce, markets like Mercado de la Ribera are a must-visit. If you’re after traditional Basque souvenirs, the Old Town, or Casco Viejo, has a wealth of independent shops alongside a few chains. Top streets for souvenir hunting include Calle Askao, Artekale, Bidebarrieta, Somera, Correo, and La Cruz, though keep in mind that most stores are closed on Sundays.

Mercado de la Ribera (Erribera Merkatua)

Mercado de la Ribera (Erribera Merkatua)

In the heart of Bilbao’s Old Town, Mercado de la Ribera has been a focal point for locals since the 1930s. Once recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as Europe’s largest indoor food market, it remains one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Inside its vast Art Deco halls, you’ll find a dazzling array of offerings, from fresh fish and seasonal produce to cured meats, cheeses, and bread, making it a great place to explore Basque gastronomy. Alongside the stalls, you’ll also find small bars and eateries serving pintxos and local wines.

Gran Via

Gran Via

Gran Vía is Bilbao’s main shopping artery, a wide boulevard framed by lime trees and elegant modernist buildings. Together with neighbouring streets like Marqués del Puerto and Rodríguez Arias, it forms part of the city’s so-called 'Golden Mile', home to international luxury brands, Spanish fashion labels, and high-end boutiques. The stretch between Plaza Circular and Plaza Moyúa is particularly lively, with department stores, flagship shops, and stylish cafés where you can pause mid-shopping.

Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo

Bilbao’s Casco Viejo, the Old Town, is the place to go if you enjoy browsing independent shops and traditional Basque stores. The narrow streets are lined with boutiques selling crafts, jewellery, fashion, and gourmet products, along with plenty of souvenir shops. Plaza Nueva, at the heart of the district, is especially lively, home to antique markets on Sundays as well as bars where you can round off your shopping trip with pintxos and a glass of txakoli.

Indautxu Neighborhood

Indautxu Neighborhood

Indautxu is one of Bilbao’s more fashion-forward neighborhoods, featuring a mix of specialty shops, trendy boutiques, and international brand stores. Streets like Rodríguez Arias and Alameda de Urquijo are key spots for fashion enthusiasts, and the area around Plaza Indautxu has numerous footwear shops, accessories, and stores selling design-led goods. Ercilla Street is another hub, especially for opticians, shoe shops, jewellery, and fashion.

Around Guggenheim Museum

Around Guggenheim Museum

The area surrounding the Guggenheim Museum is one of Bilbao’s most stylish shopping districts, with nearby streets such as Mazarredo, Iparraguirre, and Juan de Ajuriaguerra lined with fashion boutiques, design stores, galleries, and art bookshops. Alongside clothing and accessories, you’ll also find gift shops, delicatessens, and wine stores that make for excellent souvenirs.

Sombreros Gorostiaga

Sombreros Gorostiaga

Sombreros Gorostiaga is a family-owned hat shop in Bilbao, established in 1857, making it one of the city’s oldest businesses. It specialises in traditional Basque berets, or txapelas, and stocks a wide range of colours, sizes, and styles. Many visitors can’t resist picking up a chic txapela as a memorable keepsake from their trip.

Turronería Ivañez

Turronería Ivañez

Established in 1855, Turronería Iváñez is one of Bilbao’s oldest family-run businesses, renowned for its artisanal nougat, or turrón. The shop offers a wide selection of handmade turrones, including classic varieties like Jijona and Alicante, as well as chocolate turrones, marzipan sweets, and seasonal specialties such as tortas imperiales and pasteles de gloria. Their ice creams, made with traditional turrón flavors, are especially popular during the summer months.

Zubiarte

Zubiarte

Zubiarte is an upmarket shopping mall in central Bilbao, near the Guggenheim Museum and the Iberdrola Tower. With more than 50 shops, a cinema, a supermarket, and a variety of restaurants, it’s a convenient one-stop destination for shopping and leisure. Visitors can browse designer stores along with a mix of clothing, accessories, electronics, and homeware.

El Corte Inglés

El Corte Inglés

You are guaranteed to find what you’re looking for at this Spanish institution, as it's the biggest department store group in Europe. From luxury to everyday items, El Corte Inglés is likely to have it. A couple of the many designers that display their collections at El Corte Inglés are Calvin Klein, Dior, and Ralph Lauren.

Sunday Market

Sunday Market

Every Sunday, Plaza Nueva in the heart of Casco Viejo transforms into a bustling open-air market that draws both locals and visitors. Stalls fill the arcaded square with everything from second-hand books, vinyl records, and antiques to artisan crafts and fresh produce. It’s also a great place to sample local treats, like txistorra (a spiced Basque sausage), and browse for unique souvenirs.

Pastelerías Martina de Zuricalday

Pastelerías Martina de Zuricalday

Pastelerías Martina de Zuricalday is a beloved family-run pastry shop with a long tradition of confectionery. Visitors can indulge in glazed truffle pralines, soft butter buns, fruity cakes, and other sweet treats made with the freshest ingredients. Whether you’re after a quick snack or a special dessert to take home, Martina de Zuricalday offers something to satisfy every sweet tooth.

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