Location: Bilbao
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Things to do in Bilbao, Basque Country: The Best Museums
Travelers generally come to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim—some for the art inside, but many for the amazing building itself. The Fine Arts Museum and the Basque Museum may not have been designed by Frank Gehry, but are worth a visit, and you can catch international opera stars at the Palacio Euskalduna.
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1. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17,393 reviews
American architect Frank Gehry is responsible for this architectural masterpiece: this fantastic chrome and metal creation houses a large collection of modern and contemporary art, a continuation of the Guggenheim legacy.
Reviewed By RicherTrips - Monterrey, Mexico
Even if you don´t like museums, even if you don´t like modern art, this place is a must. Forget about the art display, the building is the main attraction. If you´re lucky you may actually enjoy the collections and exhibitions (I enjoy immersing in "The matter of Time" by Richard Serra, and watching Kiefer´s "Sunflowers" and Jenny Holzer´s digital poetry). Before or after visiting the museum, take a slow walk around the building, since every spot gives a completely different view. And my favorite works of art are in the outside: "Tall Tree & the eye", by Anish Kapoor (the same that made the Bean for Chicago), Koon´s "Tulips", Buren´s "Red arches" on the bridge, Bourgeois´ spider: If your wander around long enough, you may catch the Fire Fountain and the Fog Sculpture. On the main entrance, Koof´s flowered Puppy isn´t my favorite.
2. Museum of Sacred Art (Museo de Arte Sacro)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
A walk through the Biscayan Art of the last 800 years. An exposition from romanesque to present day.
3. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,492 reviews
The Bilbao Fine Arts Museum is an art museum located in the city of Bilbao, Spain. It is the second largest and most visited museum in the Basque Country and one of the richest Spanish museums outside Madrid. It houses a valuable and quite comprehensive collection of Basque, Spanish and European art from the Middle Ages to contemporary.
Reviewed By 855ninac - Hampshire, United Kingdom
Interesting way to organise art - alphabetically. A wonderful collection of a wide range of art, old and new, side by side. The Zuloaga exhibition was an added bonus. Just a short walk from the Guggenheim & definitely worth including in your itinerary.
4. Azkuna Zentroa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,443 reviews
Azkuna Zentroa is the centre for art and culture located right in the heart of Bilbao and is housed in one of the most emblematic buildings of the city, the former municipal wine exchange market. Refurbished and restored by Philippe Starck, Azkuna Zentroa has a diverse cultural programme where art, knowledge, design, science, new technologies and literature converge, as well as a varied physical activity offering. A multipurpose and contemporary centre where disciplines, contents and the general public are interrelated, which increases the cultural level of the general public and contributes to the enrichment of Bilbao and its internationalisation.
Reviewed By radub - Cluj-Napoca, Romania
It's a modern structure inside a monumental old front walls, with a large public area with modern art, coffee bar, cinema, a municipality cultural center, and an amazing terrace restaurant on top east floor.
5. Deusto Expo Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
The new Exhibitions and Events Venue in Bilbao. A large 1,300m2 place, will become a new Bilbao space to host attractive cultural content. Opened in 2019. Other exhibitions will give continuity to this Deusto Expo Center, always aimed at the general public and school groups. Most of the exhibitions will have the new technologies very present.
6. Galeria de Arte Artebi. Supermercado de Arte.
7. Euskal Museoa Bilbao Basque Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 350 reviews
Reviewed By arsey00
The Basque Museum offers more than just the standard local artefacts collection. History, topography, culture, architecture, and the relationship between those. Even the language and family names are covered. Plenty to see, very inexpensive. Allow at least two hours.
8. Bizkaia Museum of Archaeology
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By GSAJ - Blenheim, New Zealand
This looks like a very small museum from the outside but that is deceiving. If you are interested in the prehistoric and later archeological history of the area then this is an excellent exhibition. The price -€3 pp provides great value for money. The displays and interactive screens are great but be aware the subtitles are all in Spanish and Basque. The very obliging receptionist provided an English translation booklet on loan which was much appreciated.
9. Museo de Bellas Artes
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3 reviews
10. Museo Maritimo Ria de Bilbao
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 342 reviews
We welcome you to the Ria de Bilbao Maritime Museum, a privileged overlook that will bring you closer to the thrilling adventure of the sea via the Bilbao Estuary and Port.This space is located on the former site of the outbuildings of the Euskalduna shipyard, on the left bank of the Bilbao Estuary. The Euskalduna de Construcción y Reparación de Buques Corporation was established in 1900 and marked the beginning of modern civilian shipbuilding in the Basque Country. After a glorious past, Euskalduna announced its closing in 1984.The Bilbao Estuary has undergone a spectacular change in recent years. It has once again become the centre of attention, this time as a space for leisure and entertainment. Aside from being an invigorating element of the city and the region, the Museum´s purpose is also to preserve and spread the history, culture and identity of the men and women that have lived on and from the Bilbao Estuary, which is closely bound to maritime tradition.Come aboard with us!
Reviewed By MarcvonBern - Bern, Switzerland
Went there off-season and during the week: Had the museum for myself and enjoyed it very much. If you are into maritime history and / or the history of Bilbao I would very much recommend it.
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