Late spring · Weather & things to do
Bilbao in May
Bilbao warms up: highs climb to 64°F (18°C), from 60°F in April, with lows of 56°F (14°C) and about 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain.
May opens the best stretch on our comfort score, at 82/100 (4th of 12).
- Avg high
- 64°F (18°C)
- Avg low
- 56°F (14°C)
- Rain
- 2.5 in (64 mm)
- Humidity
- 79%
- Cloud cover
- 72%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 29 min
- Comfort score
- 82/100 · Great
What May feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 64°F (18°C), good for long walks.
Nights cool to an average low of 56°F (14°C).
Some rain is likely, about 2.5 in (64 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around May
May is one of Bilbao's best months on the climate data.
- Opens the best-scoring stretch on our comfort score: May and July – September.
- Last of the best-scoring months: by June, the score drops to 80/100.
- Comfort improves from 73/100 in April to 82/100.
- May sits inside the May – Oct window our Basque Coast Food Trail route recommends.
What to pack for May
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 56°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 2.5 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Bilbao in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Café Bar Bilbao
Plaza Nueva bar with tiled walls and a counter of pintxos.
Why now May scores 82/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Plaza Nueva
Arcaded square in the old town lined with pintxos bars.
Why now Highs near 64°F and 2.5 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
Hermitage on an islet reached by 241 steps along a stone causeway.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
La Viña del Ensanche
Old-school deli and wine bar specializing in ibérico ham and refined pintxos.
Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao
Fine arts museum with Spanish masters and Basque painters, next to Doña Casilda park.
Nearby in May
- San Sebastián in May~48 mi · highs 64°F, 3.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Laguardia in May~52 mi · highs 68°F, 2.3 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Barcelona in May~291 mi · highs 76°F, 1.9 in rain · 7°C (12°F) warmer by day, drier
- Girona in May~306 mi · highs 70°F, 2.5 in rain · 4°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Bilbao in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Bilbao?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 82/100. Expect highs of 64°F (18°C) and 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain. May is inside the May – Oct window our Basque Coast Food Trail route recommends.
How cold is Bilbao in May?
Average highs are 64°F (18°C) and average lows 56°F (14°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Bilbao in May?
Some: about 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 39.5 in (1003 mm).
What should I pack for Bilbao in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 56°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 2.5 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in May
- Basque Coast Food Trail May – Oct
Planning Bilbao in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.