Pintxo route with Spanish wines in Bilbao's Old Town

Eight pintxos and four wines: the bars where Basque food lives

A pintxo and wine tour in Bilbao's Old Town where you taste eight traditional Basque bites at carefully selected local bars, each paired with Spanish DO wines and cider, guided by a local who explains the tradition behind every dish. The tour runs three hours and departs from Arriaga Theatre. You choose the time at booking. A minimum of two adults is required for the tour to operate, and vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Pintxo and wine tasting in Bilbao

• Depart from Arriaga Theatre
• Visit restaurant in Old Town main square
• Visit restaurant near Santiago Cathedral
• Visit restaurant near relevant Old Town square
• Taste 8 traditional pintxos
• Pair pintxos with 4 local wines and cider

The experience

You start at Arriaga Theatre and move through the Old Town on foot, stopping at different traditional bars where pintxos are made the way locals eat them. Each bar has its own specialty (the operator picks them for what they do best, not for the tourists they draw), and you taste eight across the afternoon or evening, paired with four Spanish DO wines and a local cider. The guide is someone who knows these places and the people who run them, and they explain what you're tasting and why it matters to Basque food culture. This is not a tasting menu in a single restaurant. It's a route through the neighborhood where the food actually happens.

You'll pass Santiago Cathedral and spend time in the main square of the Old Town, where at least one bar sits near each landmark. The pace is comfortable, three hours total, so you're not rushing between stops or standing around waiting. If you prefer, you can swap one wine for a traditional liqueur, or choose non-alcoholic beverages instead. Vegetarian and gluten-free versions of the pintxos are available. Let the operator know at booking so they can arrange it with the bars in advance.

You pick whether you want to go at lunch or dinner when you book, and you choose your language: the tour runs in English or Spanish. If you're booking as a private group, everyone on your booking travels together with a guide just for you. If you're joining a small group, you'll be with other travelers on the same departure. Either way, the minimum group size is two adults. If your booking falls short, the operator contacts you at least two days ahead to offer an alternative date or a full refund.

What’s included

• Local tour guide in English or Spanish.
• visits to eight traditional bars in Bilbao's Old Town.
• eight traditional Basque pintxos.
• four Spanish DO wines and local cider per person (non-alcoholic beverages available.
• vegetarian and gluten-free options available with advance notice).

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Spanish12:00 and 19:00

Guide in English or Spanish12:00 and 19:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 12:00 and 19:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years): free · Child (under 12): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Local Experts Tours

Is this one for you?Choose a private group if you want a guide focused entirely on your party. Pick a small group departure if you'd rather share the experience and the cost with other food travelers. Both languages run on both formats, so the choice is really about group size and whether you prefer the intimacy of a private booking or the social energy of traveling with others.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years): free; Child (under 12): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly are pintxos and how do they differ from tapas?

Pintxos are small, flavor-packed bites of Basque cuisine, typically served on bread or a skewer, and often eaten standing at the bar. They're similar to tapas but are a distinctly Basque tradition, and each bar on this tour specializes in its own version. Some are hot, some cold, some are elaborate, some are simple. The eight you taste across this route show the range of what pintxo culture actually is.

Can I do this tour if I don't drink alcohol?

Yes. Non-alcoholic beverages are available, so you can swap out the wines and cider for other drinks. Let the operator know at booking so they can prepare the bars in advance.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces in the Old Town route are wheelchair accessible, and the bars you visit are accessible as well. Wheelchair users must bring a companion, and the companion pays for the tour too.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The tour includes the local guide, entry to the bars, eight pintxos, four Spanish DO wines, and local cider (or non-alcoholic alternatives). You don't need to bring anything except appropriate clothing for the weather: the operator recommends dressing for rain if the forecast calls for it, since the tour operates in all weather conditions.

How do I choose between a private group and a small group tour?

Private group means your entire booking travels with a dedicated guide just for your party. Small group means you'll be with other travelers on the same departure. Both run in English or Spanish. Pick whichever fits your group size and preference for traveling with others or alone.

What happens if I book but the minimum group size isn't reached?

The tour requires a minimum of two adults across all bookings for that departure. If your booking doesn't meet that threshold, the operator contacts you at least two days in advance to offer either an alternative date or a full refund.