AI-generatedBilbao at a glance
- Best time
- Jun – Oct
- Warmest month
- Aug · 22°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,540 h
- Rain a year
- 1,093 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+1 / UTC+2
- Elevation
- 20 m
Climate in Bilbao
Bilbao has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. August is the warmest month with average highs of 22 °C, while January is the coolest at 12 °C. With around 1,540 hours of sunshine a year, Bilbao is rather dull; July is the sunniest month with 5.7 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Good
Best time to visit: June – October
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 15°
- Midday, 13:00: about 18°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 19°
- Evening, 20:00: about 18°
- Night, 23:00: about 17°
08:2419:31
Pleasant evenings; a light layer can help.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 08:06–09:03 · evening 18:52–19:48
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:55–08:06 · evening 19:48–19:59
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Bilbao in October?
In October, Bilbao is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 90 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Bilbao.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 7 min08:24 – 19:31
- UV index
- 3 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 18 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 62 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Snow days
- 0 days1 cm or more of fresh snow
- Time zone
- UTC+2Europe/Madrid
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %15 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %36 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Sunshine hours in Bilbao
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 3.9 of 11.1 hours of daylight in Bilbao, 35 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 4 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Bilbao
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 3 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 9).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 40 min
- Fair skin
- about 50 min
- Light brown skin
- about 70 min
- Olive skin
- about 90 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Bilbao: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Bilbao has about 13 rainy days with 90 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Bilbao
How breezy and how cloudy Bilbao is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Bilbao typically peaks at 18 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, light breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 62 % of the sky over Bilbao: variable cloud, with about 3.9 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Bilbao
How often the day gets hot in Bilbao (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Bilbao has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 19 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Bilbao
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
PleasantOctober: nights around 15°. Ideal for sleeping, often with the window open.
The coolest nights are in February (8°), the warmest in August (18°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from June to October.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 25 | 12° | 8° | 2.4 h | 16 | 118 |
| FebruaryFeb | 30 | 12° | 8° | 3.2 h | 14 | 104 |
| MarchMar | 39 | 14° | 9° | 4.1 h | 14 | 97 |
| AprilApr | 45 | 15° | 11° | 4.6 h | 15 | 90 |
| MayMay | 60 | 17° | 13° | 5.4 h | 15 | 83 |
| JuneJun | 72 | 20° | 16° | 5.6 h | 12 | 72 |
| JulyJul | 76 | 21° | 18° | 5.7 h | 10 | 57 |
| AugustAug | 74 | 22° | 18° | 5.6 h | 11 | 55 |
| SeptemberSep | 70 | 21° | 17° | 5.2 h | 12 | 70 |
| OctoberOct | 64 | 19° | 15° | 3.9 h | 13 | 90 |
| NovemberNov | 37 | 15° | 11° | 2.6 h | 17 | 148 |
| DecemberDec | 31 | 13° | 9° | 2.4 h | 15 | 107 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
43.26° N, 2.93° W · 20 m · Europe/Madrid
Best time to visit Bilbao
The best time to visit Bilbao is from June to October. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from June to September. Rain is most frequent from October to May; the wettest month is November with 148 mm.
Bilbao through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Bilbao in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 14–17 °C by day
- 5 h of sun a day
- 44 rainy days in all
Bilbao in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 20–22 °C by day
- 6 h of sun a day
- 33 rainy days in all
Bilbao in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 15–21 °C by day
- 4 h of sun a day
- 42 rainy days in all
Bilbao in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 12–13 °C by day
- 3 h of sun a day
- 45 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Bilbao for you.
Your best months: July – September
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Bilbao
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
July has the better holiday weather in Bilbao: score 76 against 64. In July, days are 2 °C warmer than in October. July has 3 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in July.
| Month | October | July |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 64 | 76better |
| Day high | 19° | 21° |
| Night low | 15° | 18° |
| Sunshine | 3.9 h | 5.7 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 13 | 10better |
| Rainfall | 90 mm | 57 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 0better | 5 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Jun – Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Oct – May
12 or more rainy days
Bilbao month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
25January12° · 2 h
In January, Bilbao is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 118 mm. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Bilbao.
Bilbao in January30February12° · 3 h
In February, Bilbao is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 104 mm. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Bilbao.
Bilbao in February39March14° · 4 h
In March, Bilbao is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 97 mm. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Bilbao.
Bilbao in March45April15° · 5 h
In April, Bilbao is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 90 mm. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Bilbao.
Bilbao in April60May17° · 5 h
In May, Bilbao is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 83 mm. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Bilbao.
Bilbao in May72June20° · 6 h
In June, Bilbao is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 72 mm in total. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Bilbao.
Bilbao in June76July21° · 6 h
In July, Bilbao is warm: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 57 mm in total. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Bilbao.
Bilbao in July74August22° · 6 h
In August, Bilbao is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 55 mm in total. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Bilbao.
Bilbao in August70September21° · 5 h
In September, Bilbao is warm: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 70 mm in total. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Bilbao.
Bilbao in September64October19° · 4 h
In October, Bilbao is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 90 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Bilbao.
Bilbao in October37November15° · 3 h
In November, Bilbao is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 148 mm. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Bilbao.
Bilbao in November31December13° · 2 h
In December, Bilbao is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 107 mm. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Bilbao.
Bilbao in DecemberBilbao compared
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Bilbao vs. Guernica
In October the holiday weather in Bilbao and Guernica is about equally good (score 64 vs. 64). During the day it is about as warm in Guernica as in Bilbao.
| in October | Bilbao | Guernica |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 64 | 64 |
| Daytime high | 19° | 19° |
| Sea | – | 19° |
| Sunshine | 4 h | 4 h |
| Rainy days | 13 | 13 |
| Best time | Jun – Oct | Aug |
Through the year
Spain in October: the best places
In October, Bilbao ranks 22 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Castellón de la Plana23°22°90
- 2Zaragoza22°88
- 3Toledo21°87
- 4Madrid20°86
- 5Alcobendas20°84
- 6Salamanca19°83
- 7Valladolid19°82
- 8Pamplona18°79
- 22BilbaoThis page19°64
Planning a trip to Bilbao
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Bilbao in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Bilbao has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 75) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 28).
- 43
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 14 °C by day
- 4.4 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 62
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 17 °C by day
- 5.4 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 75
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
GoodBest holidays
- 22 °C by day
- 5.6 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 64
October half-term
Oct
Good
- 19 °C by day
- 3.9 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 28
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 12 °C by day
- 2.4 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 1 h 35 min
- Distance
- 930 km
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Bilbao
When is the best time to visit Bilbao?
The best time to visit Bilbao is from June to October. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Bilbao?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 22 °C and nights around 18 °C. January is the coolest month at 12 °C.
When does it rain most in Bilbao?
Rain is most frequent from October to May; the wettest month is November with 148 mm. The driest month is August with 55 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Bilbao get?
Bilbao gets around 1,540 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 5.7 hours a day; in January there are 2.4 hours a day.
What time zone is Bilbao in?
Bilbao uses the time zone Europe/Madrid: UTC+1 in January and UTC+2 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Bilbao?
A nonstop flight from London to Bilbao takes about 1 h 35 min, for a straight-line distance of about 930 km.
Which school holidays are best for Bilbao?
Bilbao has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 75) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 28). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 43, May half-term 62, Summer holidays 75, October half-term 64, Christmas holidays 28.
Near Bilbao
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Bilbao
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Bilbao's – good alternatives.