Museums and galleries in Bilbao

9 museums and galleries in Bilbao, from the big collections to small independent spaces.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

See
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: closedAdults: €3.5; +65 12-26 and groups €2. Children under 12 & everyone on Th: free
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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 25Adults €18.00; +65, students, -26: €8; -18 free (online prices, door prices €1-2 higher)
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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 checkAdult €6, student, 65+, -18&students €3.00.
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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
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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
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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: closedFor 2025 until major renovation works are complete: free
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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.
See Not mapped
Puppy
Not a museum, but it is directly in the front of the Guggenheim Museum, created by Jeff Koons. It's one of the most famous symbols of modern Bilbao. It is a west Highland terrier 12 m high covered in flowers that are changed each season.
See
Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro (Museum of Sacred Art)
A former convent founded in 1515 by Dominican nuns.
closed MonGeneral €3; student, senior, and under 18 €1.5; free on Tuesdays

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Bilbao (CC BY-SA 4.0).