From industrial Cinderella to princess of art: Bilbao is a city that can set a good example. At the heart of a metropolitan area with over a million inhabitants, it has been one of the driving forces of the Spanish economy for many years, with little or no appeal for tourism.
Thanks to a shrewd cultural policy and the joint efforts of public administrations and private foundations, Bilbao has been able to radically change its image and become one of the most visited Spanish cities and a worldwide example of successful urban transformation.
Its name is now inextricably linked to the museum that launched it into the firmament of contemporary culture, the prestigious Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, but this has been followed (and even preceded, it must be said) by many other extraordinary architectural works. Some of Bilbao’s streets look like a set from a science fiction film!
Fortunately, despite the international success that has elected it as a mecca for art lovers, including hipsters and bohemians of all sorts, Bilbao has managed to keep its feet on the ground, without getting ahead of itself.
There is still an authentic atmosphere in its quaint old quarter and in its traditional small bars you can enjoy the best pintxos of Basque gastronomy, with their strong and decisive flavours.
Strategically located on the estuary of the River Nervión that leads to the Bay of Biscay, surrounded by mountains and stretching out towards the sea, Bilbao is an ideal destination for a weekend break or as a stop on a driving tour of northern Spain; if you prefer the slow pace of the journey on foot, you can consider Bilbao as one of the most exciting stops on the Camino de Santiago.
Bilbao is a city that surprises with the variety of its attractions. From the famous Guggenheim Museum to the narrow streets of Casco Viejo, each neighbourhood offers a different perspective on Basque culture and the city’s transformation.
The real star of tourism in Bilbao is the Guggenheim Museum, which is fully credited with the rebirth of the city after the post-industrial depression of the 21st century.
With a far-sighted investment, the city has endowed itself with an iconic building that has become a symbol-image of contemporary architecture and attracts hordes of art lovers and onlookers from all over the world.
It is one of the few cases where a museum becomes practically synonymous with the city in which it is housed and also one of the few where the exterior arouses more curiosity than the excellent art collections on display.
The price of admission to the Guggenheim Museum varies depending on the season and current exhibitions, but whichever time of year you go be prepared for long queues.
But what makes it so unique? Built on the surface of a former landfill site in a run-down area of disused factories and warehouses on the banks of the Nervión River, the building that houses the museum is a bizarre cluster of forms with walls of gleaming titanium, Granada stone and thermal crystal.
The building’s extravagant shapes, reminiscent of fins, fishing nets, reefs and headlands, are a clear reminder of the city’s past, when the economy was driven by shipyards and fishing, and the fascinations of North American architect Frank Gehry, who designed the building.
The walkways over the river leading to the entrance and the museum lobby itself are dotted with eccentric sculptures and art installations, including a giant, frightening bronze spider.
Although the exterior is enough to leave you speechless with wonder, it is also worth spending an hour or more inside the museum to admire its collections of the highest artistic quality.
What is striking about the building’s interior is its vastness and the large amount of natural light. The architecture inside is more neutral, to focus the visitor’s attention on the exhibits, but there is no lack of quirky details.
More interesting than the permanent exhibitions are the temporary exhibitions, the museum’s flagship: among the most famous in the history of the Guggenheim Bilbao are the retrospective on the work of Yoko Ono and the exhibition of sculptures by Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto.
The second most visited museum in Bilbao is Museum of Fine Arts2, with an eclectic collection that includes a little bit of everything from Gothic sculptures to pop art.
The collection is divided into three main sections: masters of the past, with works by Murillo, Zurbarán, El Greco, Goya and van Dyck; modern and contemporary art, which includes paintings by Gauguin, Francis Bacon and Anthony Caro; and Basque art, a section that allows you to get to know the greatest artists from the Basque Country, such as Jorge Oteiza, Eduardo Chillida, Ignacio Zuloaga and Juan de EchevarrÍa.
If you want to learn more about Basque culture, don’t miss Euskal Museo3, the most comprehensive museum on the history and culture of the Basque Country, housed in a historic building with a beautiful cloistered interior.
Back to futuristic settings with Museo Marítimo Ría de Bilbao4, housed in a modern building on the riverbank. You can learn more about the deep connection between the sea and the economy, history and identity of the Basque Country.
Although contemporary architecture is certainly the hallmark of today’s Bilbao, one cannot leave the city without a foray into its fascinating past.
Casco Viejo5, the historical part of the city, is a quaint neighbourhood with picturesque streets, small independent shops and noisy traditional bars. The main square, ironically named Plaza Nueva, is lined with pintxos bars, perfect for a tasty snack; a colourful flea market is held here every Sunday.
The heart of Casco Viejo are seven dark medieval alleys (called Siete Calles in Spanish), whose origins date back to the 15th century, when the part of the city on the eastern bank of the river was developed. Once the city’s main commercial area and river port, today they are worth a visit for their lively atmosphere, modern cafés and elegant boutiques.
Between Casco Viejo and the new part of town is Plaza del Arenal6, where a fragrant flower market is held every Sunday.
The most beautiful religious building in Bilbao is probably the Cathedral of Santiago7, an imposing Gothic construction in the Casco Viejo with a beautiful Renaissance porch and an inner cloister. The 16th-century Basilica of Begoña8, also in Gothic style, dominates the Casco Viejo from a nearby hill.
The Guggenheim Museum is certainly not the only interesting construction of contemporary architecture in Bilbao: strolling around the city you will frequently come across futuristic, extravagantly shaped buildings that look like something out of a science fiction film set in the future.
Among them, one cannot fail to mention the metallic Palace of Congress and Music Euskalduna9, inaugurated in 1999 and immediately becoming one of the symbols of the new Bilbao. The monumental work by Spanish architects Federico Soriano and Dolores Palacio is a tribute to the last ship built in the old Euskalduna shipyard. Its auditorium boasts exceptional acoustics and one of the largest stages in Europe.
Another work that refers to Bilbao’s link with the sea is the Zubizuri Bridge10 (White Bridge in Basque) designed by the archistar Santiago Calatrava, whose shape is reminiscent of a sailboat with a glass floor. Inaugurated in 1997, it too has become an icon of modern Bilbao.
In Bilbao, even the underground access points are works of art: the large segmented glass tubes that seem to emerge from underground like a living being yearning for light were designed by architect Norman Foster and are affectionately called ‘fosteritos‘.
Also take a look at the headquarters of the Department of Health of the Basque Country Government, another innovative glass construction.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Discover Bilbao through the eyes of expert guides who will take you on a tour of the city's hidden treasures. Participating in a free tour will allow you to capture the true essence of Bilbao.
The free tours are a viable alternative to traditional guided tours. They work like this: participation is free and at the end of the visit you can leave a tip at your discretion. Below you will find our favourite free tour, otherwise you can see the full list by visiting this page.
If you love cultural events and shows, Bilbao is the ideal destination for you. The city’s cultural life is really lively, with a full calendar of top contemporary art exhibitions and numerous events scheduled almost every day of the week, including theatre and dance performances, film festivals, pop, rock and classical music concerts.
The open-air music festival Bilbao BBK Live is one of the unmissable events of the music summer in Spain, as is the Zinebi, the International Documentary and Short Film Festival, which takes place in November and is one of Spain’s most important film festivals.
Added to this continuous programme of events is the city’s electrifying nightlife, with its many bars and clubs open until late.
For a completely different atmosphere, visit Bilbao during one of its traditional festivities. The most exciting and engaging celebrations are those organised during the Semana Grande (or Aste Nagusia), which starts on the first Saturday after Ferragosto and lasts for nine days.
Bilbao’s location, between the sea and the Basque mountains, offers numerous possibilities for excursions. Hiring a car is recommended to explore the region, although many locations can be reached by public transport.
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is an island connected to the mainland by a stone bridge and a flight of 241 steps. At the top is a 10th-century hermitage. The site, made famous by the series The Game of Thrones, offers spectacular views of the Basque coast.
Getxo is an elegant coastal suburb with beautiful beaches and late 19th century villas. The Las Arenas district and the seaside promenade are perfect for a day of relaxation. The marina offers boat trips.
Guernica, a symbol of peace and Basque culture, is known for the tragic bombing in 1937 immortalised by Picasso. The Casa de Juntas, with its oak tree symbolising Basque freedoms, and the Peace Museum are the main attractions.
From an administrative point of view, the city of Bilbao is divided into eight districts, each of which comprises several neighbourhoods: Deusto, Uribarri, Otxarkoaga-Txurdinaga, Begoña, Ibaiondo, Abando, Recalde, Basurto-Zorroza.
The centre is, of course, the recommended area for sleeping, because by staying here you will have all the main tourist attractions at your fingertips, plus consider that as Bilbao is an industrial city, the neighbourhoods outside the centre have very little in the way of charm.
It’s true, however, that Bilbao is a somewhat expensive city and sleeping outside the centre allows you to save money. The good news is that public transport is efficient so you won’t have any difficulty getting around.
Many hotels are concentrated in Indautxu, a commercial area popular with tourists, while the San Ignacio neighbourhood is mostly frequented by students: choose the former if you want shops and services, the latter if you’re aiming for savings.
Bilbao has an international airport with direct flights from several European cities. The airport is about 20 minutes from the city centre and is connected to the central bus station by an express shuttle bus.
If you have rented a car, you can reach Bilbao from Madrid in 4 hours and from Barcelona in 6 hours; from there, you can easily travel to all major locations in the Basque Country.
With high-speed trains, the journey from Madrid to Bilbao only takes two hours, but the ticket is rather expensive; for a cheaper option, choose buses.
What's the weather at Bilbao? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Bilbao for the next few days.
Bilbao is located in the Basque Country region, of which it is the capital. It is located a few kilometres from the north coast of Spain, about halfway between Santander and San Sebastian.
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