We were very impressed with Bilbao. People told us to expect an industrial town but we found it clean and attractive. We found a cheap pension in the old town, Pension de la Fuente. Clean and tidy. 4,000pt per night for a twin room with a balcony over the narrow street. Unfortunately the shower was cold. I walked through the centre of town to the Guggenheim. It was equal to if not better than many other Spanish cities.