Bilbao Old Town Food Tour: Pintxos, Wine & Market Visit

An insider’s tasting walk through Bilbao’s Old Town food culture

Taste the authentic Bilbao

like a local

A slow walk through Bilbao’s Old Town tasting pintxos, wines, and the stories that shaped the city.

Discover the stories that shaped Bilbao’s Old Town and historic market, tasting pintxos, local wines, and sweet bites without crowds, guesswork, or tourist traps.

Adults: €165 (18 and over)

Teenagers €155 (13-17)

Children €145 (12 and under)

12pm

3 Hours

Tour highlight and overview

Comfortable shoes. Weather appropriate clothing. Come as comfortable as possible. Curiosity and an appetite.

Expert bilingual guide. A thoughtfully designed tasting route through Bilbao’s historic Old Town. Six carefully selected food stops including a visit to the Mercado de la Ribera.

A curated selection of classic and contemporary pintxos that reflect the city’s food culture.

Local wine pairings including Txakoli, Rioja wine and a classic aperitif.

A final sweet bite of a traditional Bilbao pastry to end the experience.

Open small group tours of maximum 8 guests. Private tours are available.

Outside Mercado de la Ribera.

Ending point: Next to Plaza Nueva in the Old Town

Book with confidence

Experience Basque culture the way it’s meant to be enjoyed — in intimate local bars where locals gather, and the atmosphere hasn’t been diluted by mass tourism.

We know life happens. Cancel up to 24h in advance for a FULL refund.

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We want you to love your experience. If you don’t, let us know and we’ll happily make it right with a full refund or a future tour voucher.

The moment you book, you’ll receive:

  • Your meeting point with map
  • What to expect
  • Email support for anything you need
Dietary Information

We happily accommodate pescetarian, vegetarians, non-alcohol or non-pork guests with advance notice.

Please note: While we do our best to accommodate major allergies (e.g., gluten intolerant) we cannot always guarantee options in all stops due to cross-contamination risks.

For a fully vegetarian and fully gluten-free experience, a private tour allows us to customize our stops just for you.

Taste Bilbao’s classics: From anchovy pintxos to local cheese and a classic aperitif, you’ll try the foods locals actually eat.

Understand the culture behind the food: Every stop reveals part of Bilbao’s story — from its industrial past to the people who shaped its kitchens.

Small, intimate groups by design. No big groups or invasive tourism—just an experience that feels like a kuadrilla, where connection and conversation come naturally.

Food with cultural context. You don’t just eat—you understand how Basque identity, history, and traditions give meaning to every bite.

Super local guides who live and breathe Bilbao offering insight. Our food tours are designed as a way into the city, not around it.

All tastings are included, so you can relax, stay present, and enjoy the moment without reaching for your wallet.

This tour supports Koop SF 34, a social business incubator in Bilbao that empowers entrepreneurs of Sub-Saharan origin. Your visit also helps sustain independent local businesses and community-focused initiatives across the city.

Reviews

Bookings open from June 22nd

Bilbao Old Town Food Tour: Pintxos, Wine & Market Visit

from 175

From 165€

Michael L.
"Bilbao feels vibrant, diverse, and very neighborhood-driven. What stood out most is how life revolves around food—bars, txokos, homes…there’s always a reason to gather. People seem to show care through food and drinks. The Old Town, still keeps traditional spots, we hope they live on!”
Olivia
“This felt less like a tour and more like being invited into someone’s version of Bilbao. If you value quality and authenticity, this is absolutely worth your time.”
Liam
"Walking along the river and through the Old Town is key to understanding the city, as is doing a pintxo tour! Do this at the beginning to understand how to do it and where to go."
Margaret S
"We did this on our first day and it made everything easier. The market visit was a highlight — it gave real context to what we ate throughout the tour. Small group, no waiting, and every stop felt authentic. Plenty of food, too. Highly recommend if you want to experience the real Bilbao without the stress."

FAQ

What’s the group size?

Groups are kept intentionally small, with a maximum of 8 guests, so the experience feels relaxed and personal rather than crowded or rushed. If you’d prefer something fully tailored, private tours are available for any group size.

Yes. The tour is designed to feel like a complete, satisfying meal, not just a series of snacks. You’ll enjoy 1-2 pintxos at each of 5 carefully selected stops, thoughtfully chosen dishes and paired drinks; if you have a particularly big appetite, a light snack beforehand is ideal.

No. You’ll visit authentic local spots that reflect how pintxos are actually enjoyed in everyday San Sebastián.

This is exactly what the tour is designed for.
Your guide curates every stop, explains the food options and stories behind them, teaches you how to order, and removes all guesswork from the experience. You’ll learn how locals navigate pintxo culture so you can explore confidently on your own afterward.

Very little. Not more than a 10-minute walk between stops, and the route is easy and flat. Standing at the bar is part of the culture, so comfortable shoes are recommended. The tour can be wheelchair-accessible with advance notice.

The tour lasts approximately three hours, and you’ll experience the city’s essential flavours, understand its food culture, and discover places you’d never find on your own — without wasting time researching or eating over-the-counter pintxos.

Absolutely. In just three hours, you’ll experience the city’s essential flavors, understand its food culture, and discover places you’d never find on your own — without wasting time researching, queuing, or second-guessing choices.

That’s completely fine. Every stop offers non-alcoholic options, and your preferences are always respected. Just let your guide know what you’d like.

Yes. San Sebastián has a deeply family-friendly food culture, and we choose stops that work well for all ages. We recommend booking a private midday tour if you’re traveling with children.

Please let us know in advance and we’ll adapt wherever possible.

We can usually accommodate pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan, no-pork, and no-alcohol preferences. For severe allergies or strict gluten-free requirements, we recommend booking a private tour for maximum flexibility.

Only if you plan to take a taxi to the meeting point, as not all accept cards. Everything on the tour itself is included, so you can simply relax and enjoy.

The meeting point is behind The Good Shepherd Cathedral and is easy to reach on foot or by taxi. The tour ends in the Old Town neighbourhood, making it easy to continue your afternoon or evening afterward.

Yes — this is a big part of the experience.

Your guide will share personal, up-to-date recommendations, explain how reservations work in San Sebastián, and help you understand where spontaneity works and where planning ahead matters. You’ll also get recommendations by email. Many guests plan the rest of their meals based on these tips.

Yes! For every guest who joins a tour in San Sebastian, we donate a meal to the local soup kitchen, or Zaporeak a Basque-led initiative feeding wholesome meals to refugees in Lesbos. In Bilbao every guest supports a social business incubator empowering young migrant entrepreneurs while promoting inclusion and cultural diversity.

Your tour directly supports the community you’re visiting.

This experience removes uncertainty, saves time, and gives you cultural context.
You’re not just tasting pintxos — you’re understanding how the city eats, where locals go, and how to make the most of your time in San Sebastián whilst creating a positive social impact.

Planning a trip comes with questions.

We woman our inbox Monday to Friday and we’re happy to help. Send us your message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Bookings open June 22nd