Bilbao

Ayuntamiento (City Hall)

Also known as la Casa Consistorial or Udaletxea. The city hall opened in 1892. Designed by architect Jaquin Rucoba in neo-baroque style. Don't miss the main reception area, called Arab Salon.

Azkuna Zentroa

Alhondiga

An amazing building which has been modernized (according to designs by Philippe Starck and Thibaut Mathieu). It is an amazing complex containing a library, several bars and restaurants, a cinema and even a roof swimming pool with a glass floor! A must visit!

Basque Museum

Euskal Museoa

Established in 1921 to focus on the prehistory, archaeology, ethnography and history of Euskadi (Basque homeland). Not a particularly well laid out museum. It will be of passing interest to people who study Basque culture.

Mon Wed-Fri 10:00-19:00; Sat 10-13:30,16:00-19:00; Sun 11:00-14:00. Tue and public holidays: closed·Adults: €3.5; +65 12-26 and groups €2. Children under 12 & everyone on Th: free

Basquery

Brewpub with eight of their beers on tap. Bistro with view of brewery with pizzas, burgers, salads and other dishes. Vegan and vegetarian dishes are also available.

Basílica de Begoña

Overlooking Bilbao, this is perhaps the most symbolic religious building in the city. Built in the 16th-century by Sancho Martinez de Arego, who was also responsible for the Iglesia San Anton. It is a basilica of three naves. During the first Carlista War, in 1835, the façade and the tower were destroyed. The present ones were designed Jose Maria Basterra and constructed between 1902 and 1907.

Biblioteca Municipal de Bidebarrieta

Commissioned by El Sitio society at the end of the 19th century, this building was built by architect Severino de Achucarro as a social hall. Now home to the city's historical archives and library.

Bilbao Airport

Curvaceous white 'bird-like' building by Santiago Calatrava. Strangely missing an arrival hall.

Cathedral of St. James (Santiago)

Gothic-style 14th-century cathedral, named after Bilbao's official patron saint. Three naves and small Gothic cloisters. The building was designated a cathedral in 1949. Its neo-Gothic tower and main façade were designed by Severino de Achúcarro in the 1800s. The adjoining square (Plaza de Santiago) boats a fountain designed by Luis Paret during the reign of Carlos III with the inscription Por el bien público (For the good of the people).

El Tigre

Tiger statue on top of a building in Deusto. Seen from Euskalduna Performance Center.

Estación Abando

RENFE station

Even if you are not going to take a train, visit the platforms, there is an impressive stained glass atrium depicting some traditional Basque jobs.

Guggenheim Museum

Frank Gehry's spectacular twisting titanium-clad modern art museum is perhaps the most celebrated building of the 1990s, even starting what would be called the 'Bilbao-effect': The idea in urban planning that a star-quality building can single-handedly change the entire image of a city. Although this effect is unproven in its pure form, the Guggenheim nevertheless changed the world wide perception of Bilbao. The graceful, sensuous curves, evocative of the ships that used to be ubiquitous along the docks of Bilbao, are covered in titanium squares, which resemble the scales of a fish and shimmer in the sunlight. In keeping with the maritime theme, appropriate for the setting, the skylights of the largest gallery (formerly known as the Fish gallery) are designed to look like the fins of fish. Many parts of the building are purely decorative, and don't serve any purpose. The permanent collection is not particularly impressive, but the museum always hosts at least one interesting temporary exhibit, frequently comprised of masterpieces from the other Guggenheim collections.

Tue-Sun 10:00 to 20:00; Jul and Aug: daily 10:00 to 20:00. Closed Jan 1 and Dec 25·Adults €18.00; +65, students, -26: €8; -18 free (online prices, door prices €1-2 higher)

Iglesia de San Antón

Gothic style church from the first half of the 15th century (1422). Dedicated to San Anton in the 16th century, the building is a mixture of styles including a renaissance portico and baroque tower which was built in 1777. The church was constructed on the ruins of a former alcazar, and is shown on Bilbao's shield.

Iglesia de San Nicolás

The Iglesia de San Nicolás, finished in the 19th century, is dedicated to the patron saint of sailors. One of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Vizcaya.

Itsasmuseum

It's in what used to be the Euskalduna shipyard, this maritime museum is next to the current Euskalduna Performing Arts Centre. The museum covers an area of 27,000 m², 7,000 m² for indoor exhibitions and 20,000 m² for outdoor exhibitions, the three docks, the walkway surrounding them and the estuary.

Winter: Tue-Fri 10:00-14:00, 16:00-18:00; Sat Sun 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-20:00; summer: call to check·Adult €6, student, 65+, -18&students €3.00.

La Concordia Station

Estación de Santander, Cercanias Station

It was built between 1898-1902 on the banks of the Nervión. Designed by the engineer Valentín Gorbeña, with the art nouveau main façade added later with a design by the architect Severino Achúcarro.

Malatesta

Malatesta Kultur Lubakia

A place where you can have a drink, snack on pinchos and eat in the heart of Bilbao's Siete Calles. Vegetarian and vegan options. There is always an exhibition on, and cultural events are held here.

From 11:00 to 22:30, Fri and Sat until 02:00. Mon closed for rest

Mercado de la Ribera

Another emblem next to the Iglesia de San Antón is the Mercado de la Rivera. One of the biggest covered markets in Europe. It was built in 1929 on the site of the original Rivera Street market. Produce fish and meat are sold in the market every morning, except Sundays.

Museo Taurino (Bullfighting Museum)

Martín Agüero, 1, Plaza de Toros de Vista Alegre, (Near Plaza Zabalburu). Next to a bullring, the Museo Taurino highlights the role bullfighting has played in Euskadi.

€3

Museo de Bellas Artes

Museum of Fine Art

The Museum of Fine Art's remarkable collection boasts more than 6,000 works dating from the 12th century to the present day, and includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, engravings and decorative objects. From 2023 the museum is undergoing a major extension & renovation project, entry will be through the old building only.

Mon Wed-Sat 10:00-20:00; Sun and public holidays 10:00-15:00; Tue closed. 1 Jan and 25 December: closed·For 2025 until major renovation works are complete: free

Museo de Reproducciones Artísticas (Museum of Artistic Reproductions)

Full-scale reproductions of the world's most famous works of art. Call ahead for a guided visit.

Palacio Euskalduna

Euskalduna Conference Center and Concert Hall

A convention centre and concert hall housed in a modern building at the far end of paseo Uribitarte. Home to the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra and Bilbao Opera.

Palacio de Ibaigane

Home to the Athletic Club de Bilbao, Bilbao's football team. Built in the early 20th century. Note the arched entranceway. The nearest metro stop is Moyúa.

Palacio de Olábarri

Palacete del Puerto Autónomo de Bilbao

An interesting mix of several architectural styles. In the late 19th century it was the residence of Bilbaino entrepreneur José María de Olábarri. Now the seat of Bilbao's port authority.

Palacio de la Diputación

Ornately decorated palace situated on the Grand Vía. Baroque-style monument designed by Luis Aladrén in 1897 to serve as the seat of the Diputación Foral de Bizkaia (Vizcaya) and inaugurated on July 31, 1900. The interior is just as lavish as the exterior, with beautiful stained glass windows.

Plaza Elíptica and Gran Vía

On the stretch of the Gran Vía between Plaza Abando and Plaza Elíptica is the main shopping and fashion district of Bilbao. On this short stretch you can find tons of clothes shops (For, Zara, Mango, H&M) and department store El Corte Ingles. This is a must-walk street.

Plaza Nueva

Bilbao's Plaza Nueva was first named Plaza de Fernando VII. Construction began on the plaza on December 31, 1829 and finished exactly 20 years later on December 31, 1849. This plaza was the seat of the Diputación de Vizcaya until July 1900 when the Diputación moved to its new home on the Gran Vía. The Academy of the Basque Language (Euskaltzaindia) occupies the old Diputación building in the Plaza Nueva. There is a market of used books, stamps, coins, and other small items in the plaza every Sunday morning. The Plaza Nueva is surrounded by buildings and only has entrances on some sides.

Puente de San Antón

Next to the Iglesia de San Antón sits Bilbao's most emblematic bridge.

Santa y Real Casa de la Misericordia

Constructed in the mid-19th century as a charitable house for the poor.

Singular

Good choice of beers with at least one local one on draught. Additional choices in cans. Good selection of Raciones if you want a snack.

closed Sun

Teatro Arriaga

Inaugurated on 31 May 1890, on the site of several former theatres, the first Teatro Arriaga burnt down on 22 December 1914. The second Teatro Arriaga opened on 5 June 1919. Evocative of the Opera House in Paris, the theater has an ornate façade and beautiful interior. The theater, and the square in front of it, were named after Juan Crosótomo de Arriaga, a composer from Bilbao. There is a tourist information office in the theater building: the entrance is on the left side as you face the theater.