Bilbao City Retreat Experience

Northern Spain’s urban gem

Bilbao is the cultural heart of northern Spain, making it an unexpected but memorable spot for a work retreat.

With its cutting-edge architecture, art-forward energy, and buzzing gastronomy scene, this Basque city is ideal for teams seeking something different.

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Why 

Bilbao

?

Why choose 

Bilbao

for a retreat?

What makes Bilbao great for team-building is its blend of creativity and accessibility. Teams can start the day with strategy sessions in industrial-chic venues and end it over pintxos in the Casco Viejo.

The Guggenheim Museum and modern riverfront area add a dynamic backdrop for a retreat focused on innovation, bonding, and perspective-shifting conversations.

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Team building activities in

Bilbao

We've put together a list of

team-building activities for company retreats in

Bilbao

, including options that work well for both small and large teams.

Walking tour in Bilbao - Team 1
Walking tour in Bilbao - Team 2
Walking tour in Bilbao - Team 3
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Walking tour in Bilbao
Stand-up paddleboarding in Bilbao - Team 1
Stand-up paddleboarding in Bilbao - Team 2
Stand-up paddleboarding in Bilbao - Team 3
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Stand-up paddleboarding in Bilbao
Bike tour in Bilbao - Team 1
Bike tour in Bilbao - Team 2
Bike tour in Bilbao - Team 3
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Bike tour in Bilbao
Boat tour in Bilbao - Team 1
Boat tour in Bilbao - Team 2
Boat tour in Bilbao - Team 3
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Boat tour in Bilbao
Food tour in Bilbao - Team 1
Food tour in Bilbao - Team 2
Food tour in Bilbao - Team 3
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Food tour in Bilbao
Canoeing in Bilbao - Team 1
Canoeing in Bilbao - Team 2
Canoeing in Bilbao - Team 3
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Canoeing in Bilbao
Scavenger hunt in Bilbao - Team 1
Scavenger hunt in Bilbao - Team 2
Scavenger hunt in Bilbao - Team 3
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Scavenger hunt in Bilbao
Escape Room in Bilbao - Team 1
Escape Room in Bilbao - Team 2
Escape Room in Bilbao - Team 3
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Escape room in Bilbao

Sample

Bilbao

Retreat Itinerary

Pintxos evenings in Casco Viejo, leadership sessions near the Nervión, and a coastal walk in Getxo shape this retreat agenda in Bilbao.

Day 1: Arrival & Basque Welcome

Easy start with local flavor

  • 14:00–18:00Airport transfers & hotel check-in (Abando / Casco Viejo)
  • 18:30–19:30Welcome drinks along the Nervión river
  • 20:00–22:30Pintxos tour across Casco Viejo
  • 22:30+Optional drinks in local bars

Day 2: Leadership Sessions & Coastal Reset

Deep conversations with space to reflect

  • 08:30–09:30Breakfast at hotel
  • 09:30–11:00Leadership alignment (strategy & priorities)
  • 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  • 11:30–13:00Roundtable discussions
  • 13:00–14:30Lunch
  • 15:00–19:00Main activity: Trip to Getxo coast & walk along cliffs near the Vizcaya Bridge
  • 20:30–23:00Dinner at a modern Basque restaurant

Day 3: Wrap-up & Culture

Final insights with a cultural touch

  • 08:30–09:30Breakfast at hotel
  • 09:30–11:00Final leadership session & key takeaways
  • 11:00–12:30Visit to Guggenheim Museum
  • 12:30–14:00Farewell lunch
  • FlexibleDepartures & transfers

Discover Spain on a corporate retreat

FAQs about company retreats in

Bilbao

Is Bilbao a good destination for a corporate retreat or team offsite?

Bilbao is a strong choice for teams that want a cultural city with a modern edge and access to nature. A company retreat in Bilbao combines architecture, food, and a more local Basque atmosphere, making it ideal for teams looking for something different from typical Spanish destinations.

How do teams usually travel to Bilbao for a retreat?

Most teams fly into Bilbao Airport (BIO), which is about 15–20 minutes from the city center by taxi or bus. The airport has good connections across Europe, and the city is also reachable by train from Madrid and other major cities.

What is the best time of year to plan a corporate retreat in Bilbao?

May to June and September to October usually offer the best conditions, with temperatures around 18–26°C. Summers are mild compared to southern Spain, while winter is cooler and more suited to indoor-focused retreats.

Which areas are best to stay in Bilbao for a company retreat?

Abando is central and practical for logistics, Casco Viejo offers historic charm and a lively atmosphere, and areas near the river provide modern hotels with easy access to key locations. The best choice depends on your retreat style.

What team-building activities can be organized in Bilbao?

Teams often plan pintxos tours, cooking classes, guided city tours, hikes in the surrounding hills, and day trips to nearby coastal towns like Getxo or San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. The region is especially strong for food and culture-based activities.

How long should a corporate retreat in Bilbao last?

A 3 to 4 day retreat is typical. This gives enough time for meetings, one or two key activities, and social evenings without making the schedule feel rushed.

What makes Bilbao different from other retreat destinations in Spain?

Bilbao stands out for its mix of industrial heritage and modern transformation. The combination of the Guggenheim Museum, Basque culture, and proximity to the coast creates a more distinctive and less tourist-heavy experience.

Can Bilbao support both work sessions and leisure activities?

Yes, the city is compact and well connected. Meeting venues, restaurants, and activity locations are all within short distances, making it easy to structure productive days.

What should companies consider when planning a retreat in Bilbao?

Weather can be less predictable than in southern Spain, so it helps to plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Booking restaurants in advance is also important due to the popularity of the food scene.

What kind of food and social experiences can teams expect?

Teams can enjoy Basque cuisine, especially pintxos, local wines like txakoli, and group dinners in lively bars and restaurants. Social experiences often revolve around food, with evenings spent exploring different neighborhoods.

💛 Wall of love 💛

The SurfOffice team helped me organise a great offsite abroad for my distributed team of 16 and the experience was seamless. Their clear communication made planning easy, and they thought of everything we might need. They have a great selection of hotels and experiences, helping us stay within budget without compromising on quality. What especially stood out was their real-time availability during the event, which helped us quickly solve a few last-minute issues.

Laura
Community & Events Manager

We recently worked with Surf Office to organize a company retreat in Lisbon, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the very beginning, Simon was incredibly patient and supportive, helping us navigate multiple destination changes until we finally landed on Lisbon. His calm demeanor and willingness to ensure we found the perfect location made the planning process much smoother. Once we signed the contracts, Cristi took over and was an absolute star. Her patience, clear communication, and flexibility made all the difference. She understood our brief, even in its most creative form, and worked tirelessly to bring it to life. Cristi kept us on budget, coordinated seamlessly with the right production team, and managed everything through an intuitive dashboard on Coda. She was always a step ahead, anticipating our needs before we even voiced them. On the ground, Fernanda was a force to be reckoned with! She ensured that venues delivered on time and to the highest standards, making sure every detail was executed flawlessly. What truly set Surf Office apart was their ability to make us feel like a collective team rather than just another client. They handled sensitive information with discretion, tackled challenges with calm professionalism, and ultimately delivered an unforgettable retreat. We would work with Surf Office again in a heartbeat and highly recommend them to anyone looking to plan a seamless, well-executed offsite.

Medhavi
Talent Acquisition Manager

From the very first contact to the last goodbye, Surf Office was an incredible company to work with for our company retreat in Portugal. The customer service was top tier and every single person I interacted with was absolutely lovely, professional and so helpful.

Tracy
Head of Human Resources

We recently had our company retreat in Spain which was organized together with Surf Office and the experience exceptional. From the initial planning stages to the final details, the Surf Office team was professional, attentive, and incredibly helpful. They provided tailored recommendations for a venue and their local expertise and network made the entire process smooth and stress-free. The seamless coordination of accommodation, transportation, and activities allowed us to focus on creating meaningful connections within our team without worrying about logistics. The retreat itself was a huge success, and a big part of that was thanks to Surf Office's ability to anticipate our needs and adapt to last-minute changes. I would like to give a special shoutout to Romane who is an organization wizard and made sure everything works out as planned, Fernanda who was our on-site support and did an exceptional job even for the very short-term requests. If you're looking for a reliable partner to help organize your next retreat, I highly recommend Surf Office. Their expertise, attention to detail, and dedication to creating memorable experiences are unmatched. Thank you!

Alisha
Culture Manager

We have organized company retreats for our distributed 30 people team multiple times with Surf Office and the team has loved it every time. Surf Office has some great venues as part of their portfolio and do a great job helping to facilitate pretty much everything from accommodation, food, activities, airport transfers etc.

Kaylie
Director of People

Candela over at Surf helped us to organise our first ever team retreat in Portugal for 30 odd people (which included +1s and small children.) It honestly couldn't have been more perfect. Every detail was seen to and we felt completely supported. Our team came away from that trip feeling like a proper little family. Such wonderful memories. We honestly could never have done this without Surf and would recommend to anyone.

Gemma
Studio manager

Surf Office made planning our 20 person offsite a breeze! They found the perfect location for us, advised on places we weren't originally considering, and the organization/logistics were very smooth. As a small people team, having this extra help makes a world of a difference. Our team had a great time!

Leila
Head of People

We had a fantastic experience partnering with Surf Office for our 3-day company retreat in Costa Brava. From the early planning stages to the end of the event, everything ran smoothly and professionally. We first worked with Anthony, our Company Retreat Consultant, who helped us choose the right package. He was responsive, approachable, and clearly experienced—making it easy to select the hotel, which suited our needs perfectly. From there, we were supported by Romane, our dedicated Retreat Manager. She was absolutely great—well-organized, proactive, and always ready with thoughtful recommendations and local insights. Whether it was fine-tuning the schedule, adjusting logistics, or booking group activities like kayaking and hiking, she made sure every detail was handled. The mix of work sessions, team-building, and social time was just right. The hotel was comfortable, the activities were fun and well-coordinated, and the team dinners and beach events added a special touch. Everyone had a great time and felt the experience helped strengthen our team dynamics. Surf Office made it easy to plan and execute a retreat for 65 people without stress. We’d absolutely recommend them to any team looking to run an effective and memorable offsite—and we’ll definitely be working with them again.

Giulia
International HR Advisor

We had the pleasure of working with Surf Office to organise our annual company offsite in Portugal and the experience exceeded all expectations. From the initial planning stages to the final event, the team demonstrated outstanding professionalism, attention to detail and a true commitment to making our event a success. Every aspect of the offsite was handled seamlessly, including venue selection, team-building activities and logistics. They have a deep knowledge and network of local and trusted vendors.

Helen
Director of Market Intelligence

Team building activities

The most popular team building activities are surf lessons, SUP lessons and tapas night but there are plenty more to choose from.

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