Getting ashore
Bilbao is usually a dock stop.
Most ships dock at Bilbao, which usually makes the day simpler: walk off the ship, meet your tour, and get back on board without tender queues.
Spain
Bilbao Cruise Port
Bilbao is a solid port day with regular dockside arrivals and lighter cruise traffic mostly from May and September.
Usually docks
Usually quiet
~9h typical visit
Mid-size ships
What to expect in Bilbao
How much time will you have?
About 9h is typical
Most cruises spend 9h to 10h in Bilbao, which makes it a solid port day compared with many stops.
How busy does Bilbao get?
Some dates are noticeably busier than others.
Multiple ships overlap on roughly 18% of days, so most dates should feel manageable.
- Typical day: ~3,000 passengers
- Busy day: 7,350+ passengers
- Multiple ships on 18% of days
Check your date
October 2026
Jump
Quieter
Busier
Ships
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Where Bilbao fits into a cruise
Bilbao is most commonly visited on Portugal & Spain Atlantic Coast itineraries, often alongside A Coruña and Bordeaux .
When to cruise to Bilbao
Cruise ships visit during 11 months of the year, with the heaviest traffic from May and September.
Most cruise traffic clusters from May and September, so month choice can change both ship choice and crowd levels.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Visits
1
3
9
45
81
38
30
38
62
46
3
0
Who sails here?
Ships visiting Bilbao typically carry around 2,666 guests, with Freedom of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, and MSC Euribia calling most often.
Most frequently visiting ships
- 1 Freedom of the Seas 10 calls
- 2 Mariner of the Seas 10 calls
- 3 MSC Euribia 7 calls
- 4 Star Explorer 7 calls
- 5 Arvia 6 calls
- 6 MSC Meraviglia 6 calls
Next port calls
Jan 23 Ventura
Feb 25 Queen Elizabeth
Mar 25 Sky Princess
Apr 18 Viking Mira
Apr 20 MSC Euribia · Arvia
Cruises that visit Bilbao
Seabourn Quest
Miami → Funchal, Madeira → Portsmouth → Dover
May 30, 2027 · 20 nights
Visits Bilbao on day 16
$11,698 suite · $585/night
34% below typical · 3-month low
Seabourn Quest
Lisbon → Leixões → Portsmouth → Dover
Jun 11, 2027 · 8 nights
Visits Bilbao on day 4
$5,998 suite · $750/night
50% below typical · 3-month low
Seven Seas Grandeur
Lisbon → Porto → Le Havre → Southampton
Aug 17, 2027 · 10 nights
Visits Bilbao on day 4
$9,599 suite · $960/night
30% below typical · 3-month low
Silver Dawn
Southampton → Honfleur → Leixões → Lisbon
Sep 15, 2027 · 13 nights
Visits Bilbao on day 8
$10,000 suite · $769/night
58% below typical · 3-month lowScenic Eclipse I
Lisbon → Leixões → Lorient → Dublin
May 16, 2027 · 11 nights
Visits Bilbao on day 5
$8,701 suite · $791/night
26% below typical · Price trending down
Seven Seas Grandeur
Civitavecchia (Rome) → Livorno → Le Havre → Southampton
Aug 7, 2027 · 20 nights
Visits Bilbao on day 14
$18,549 suite · $927/night
25% below typical · Price trending downCruise routes that include Bilbao
These route families show how cruise lines usually package Bilbao, so you can compare the whole trip instead of judging this stop by itself.
Portugal & Spain Atlantic Coast · France Atlantic Coast
Funchal, Madeira → Lisbon → Porto + 4 more
From Miami · Next May 30
From $11,698 suite · $585/night
Best departure: 34% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Portugal & Spain Atlantic Coast · France Atlantic Coast
Leixões → Bilbao → Saint-Jean-de-Luz + 2 more
From Lisbon · 8 nights · Next Jun 11
From $5,998 suite · $750/night
Best departure: 50% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Portugal & Spain Atlantic Coast · France Atlantic Coast
Porto → A Coruña → Bilbao + 3 more
From Lisbon · 10 nights · Next Aug 17
From $9,599 suite · $960/night
Best departure: 30% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Portugal & Spain Atlantic Coast · France Atlantic Coast
Honfleur → Saint-Malo → Bordeaux + 5 more
From Southampton · 13 nights · Next Sep 15
From $10,000 suite · $769/night
Best departure: 58% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Portugal & Spain Atlantic Coast · France Atlantic Coast
Leixões → Ferrol → Avilés + 4 more
From Lisbon · 11 nights · Next May 16
From $8,701 suite · $791/night
Best departure: 26% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Western Mediterranean · Portugal & Spain Atlantic Coast
Livorno → Monte-Carlo → Toulon + 12 more
From Civitavecchia (Rome) · 20 nights · Next Aug 7
From $18,549 suite · $927/night
Best departure: 25% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Related ports near Bilbao
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
FAQ about cruises visiting Bilbao
Which cruise itineraries usually include Bilbao?
Cruises that call at Bilbao often follow itineraries such as Portugal & Spain Atlantic Coast Crossing via Funchal, Madeira, Lisboa & Bilbao, Portugal & Spain Atlantic Coast Crossing via Porto, Bilbao & Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and Portugal & Spain Atlantic Coast Crossing: Porto, A Coruña & Bordeaux.
Plan your route
Explore cruises that visit Bilbao
See itineraries, compare routes, and find the best way to include Bilbao in your trip.