Location: Bilbao
Top Things to do in Bilbao
Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Bilbao, Basque Country
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. Torre Iberdrola 360
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 80 reviews
Torre Iberdrola is the tallest building in Bilbao and northern Spain, with 115 meters high, inaugurated in 2012. This emblematic tower not only serves as an office for several companies, it also has a valuable vantage point on the 25th floor, where you can enjoy of a spectacular panoramic view of the city.
2. 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.
3. Palacio de Congresos y de la Musica Euskalduna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 335 reviews
Reviewed By javiercard2017 - Bilbao, Spain
This is one of the most relevant buildings of what they call "The new Bilbao". It was built next to the river in the place where a well known naval factory stood and now thanks to its design has become a new icon in the city.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Teatro Arriaga Antzokia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 274 reviews
Reviewed By DoratheExplorer1983 - Bristol, United Kingdom
On the morning of September 30th we did the morning tour of inside the theatre which was fascinating! The tour guide was very informative and let us take as many photos as we liked . The structure and art of inside the building was most delightful . The tour was only €5 pp which we felt was worth it.
9. Palacio de la Diputacion
10. Biblioteca Central de Bidebarrieta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By ElViajeroFilipino - Makati, Philippines
Great archtiecture, great ceiling frescoes, impressive staircase and right in the middle of Casco Viejo, near the Ribera Market. It's amazing to even think that this was once someone's house. Also, a bit embarrassing to say but important information nevertheless, it has nice, clean, well-appointed toilets in the basement and on the first floor. Secluded and with lots of privacy. So if you are walking around Casco Viejo or just had lunch at the Ribera Market and you really have to go .... art and the call of nature, what more can you ask?
