Location: Bilbao
Top Things to do in Bilbao
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What to do and see in Bilbao, Basque Country: The Best Things to do
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.
Restaurants in Bilbao
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. Casco Viejo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,236 reviews
An old, pleasant neighborhood best known for its open-air food markets, where shoppers can buy some of the freshest and best-tasting fruit and vegetables in Europe.
Reviewed By sladar
What a treat it was to explore the old part of Bilbao. In particular, Las Siete Calles was a maze of fun.
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. Plaza Nueva
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,704 reviews
Reviewed By mjwe
Really lovely vibrant square in the old town of Bilbao, great choice of bars and restaurants with a good variety of pinxtos, really reasonably priced, would recommend the local wine, which is lovely and so cheap. A nice mix of locals, families and tourists all relaxing and enjoying the food and drink. They had a little market on Sunday, selling books, records and other bits. Great place to go day and night, to eat, drink and people watch.
6. Bilbao, Spain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 254 reviews
Reviewed By Martinssosa
Lovely city, great people, great food options and great coast town very close to visit. I loved my holidays in Bilbao!
7. Puppy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 419 reviews
Reviewed By grahamc894 - Dunton Green, United Kingdom
Spectacular and loved by all ages. Possibly the most photographed tourist attraction in Bilbao. Beautiful colours and glorious when the sun shines. Jeff Koons is a genius. Not to be missed .Enjoy.
8. 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.
9. Basilica of Begona
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 493 reviews
Reviewed By cannafamily89 - Boiling Springs, United States
We were in Bilbao as our daughter finished her semester abroad at University of Deusto, so we saw all the sights and fell in love with the city. Since we were there at Christmas we attended mass at Basilica of Begoña, which was. 5 minute walk from our Air BnB. While we didn’t understand the service, being Catholics we were able to follow along and enjoy the beauty of the building.
10. La Ribera Market
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,095 reviews
Reviewed By FactotumDellaCitta - London, United Kingdom
This modern and clean indoor market has a nice selection of eating places, many of which offer a variety of pintxos, as well as stalls that sell everything from fresh produce to baked goods. Prices were quite reasonable.
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