Tourist Attractions in Bilbao

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Bilbao

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Bilbao

Bilbao is world famous for its main attraction, the incredible Guggenheim Museum. Many guidebooks include this building in the list of must-see places in Spain. But the capital of the proud and independent Basque Country is not reduced to a single museum, albeit a rather outstanding one. There are magnificent cathedrals, charming European streets, and picturesque neighbourhoods with cosy squares.

The enigmatic Basques even now do not recognise themselves as Spanish, believing that they live in a separate state. This self-consciousness and identity seems to hang in the air in Bilbao, making you sympathise with the central authorities sitting in Madrid. The Basque language is unlike any other European language and belongs to a completely different group.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Bilbao

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

 4.5/5

75089 reviews

The Museum of Modern Art, which has long been a symbol of Bilbao. The collection is housed in a grand deconstructivist building built in 1997 by architect F. Gehry. Located on the waterfront, it embodies the idea of a futuristic ship. The museum’s permanent exhibition is dedicated to the 20th century, most of the exhibits are installations, abstractions and avant-garde works.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Nueva Plaza

 0/5

Places like Plaza Nueva are probably found in every Spanish city – the capital of an autonomous region. The square looks like an enclosed courtyard. An arched gallery runs along the perimeter, under the arches of which are placed tables of cafes and tapas bars. On Sundays there is a flea market where you can buy antique books, coins, stamps, posters and even birds in wooden cages.

Vizcaya Bridge

 4.6/5

29143 reviews

An unusual transporter bridge that transports passengers from one side of the river to the other by means of a suspended gondola. The structure was erected in 1893 according to the project of a pupil of the famous engineer G. Eiffel. With the help of a special lift, passengers can go up to the platform and look at the surrounding area. There is also a possibility to cross it on foot, only this pleasure will cost much more.

Open time

Zubizuri

 4.3/5

11497 reviews

An arched suspension bridge that is intended for pedestrians only. It was erected in 1997 according to the project of the famous architect S. Calatrava. The main platform of the structure is held on steel cables. This place is a symbol of modern Bilbao and is therefore very popular with tourists. At the same time, people recognise its impracticality – it becomes dangerous to walk on it when it rains.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Funicular de Artxanda

 4.4/5

4535 reviews

The funicular takes tourists to the top of Artxanda Mountain, where there is a sports complex, a hotel, a park and several restaurants. During the journey, passengers can view the panorama of Bilbao. The first funicular at this location was built in 1915. After the end of the civil war, it reopened in 1938. For the third time the mechanism was launched in 1983 after it was modernised.

Open time

Monday: 7:15 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:15 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:15 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 7:15 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 7:15 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 7:15 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 8:15 AM – 10:00 PM

Begoñako Basilika

 4.6/5

5388 reviews

The people of Biscaya consider St Mary of Begoña to be the patron saint of all seafarers. A basilica in her honour was built in Bilbao in the XVII century. The exterior of the building combines Gothic and Baroque features, the interior decoration can be called elegant and luxurious. The gilded Baroque altar and the wooden statue of the Virgin Mary in the centre are particularly striking.

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 – 8:00 PM

Bilboko Donejakue katedrala

 4.3/5

7645 reviews

A Gothic cathedral that was built in 1300, before the town itself was founded, when it was a small village of fishermen. It was built on the route of pilgrims travelling along one of the roads of the Way of St James. After 1374, the building was constantly rebuilt, so it gradually acquired features of several architectural styles. The cathedral became a cathedral only in 1950.

Open time

San Nikolas eliza

 4.3/5

1396 reviews

The church in honour of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, built in the 16th century. Due to the fact that the church stands quite close to the river, its foundations and walls gradually collapsed due to waterlogging. In 1756, a new Baroque church was erected, carefully placed on a solid stone plinth. Inside the church, a skilfully executed altar and sculptures by the sculptor H. P. de Mena have been preserved.

Open time

Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao

 4.5/5

8332 reviews

Unlike the famous Guggenheim, the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts is more traditional – it includes almost the entire artistic heritage of Spain, from medieval sculptures to modern pop art. There are works by F. Goya, B. Murillo, El Greco, J. de Ribeira, as well as many paintings by Basque painters. The museum constantly organises temporary exhibitions, where collections from other countries are brought.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Museo Arqueológico, Etnográfico e Histórico Vasco

 4.4/5

685 reviews

The museum was established in 1921 with the aim of preserving Basque culture. The first exhibits were donated by private individuals who gave the museum old furniture, clothes, family coats of arms, books and other artefacts. Today the collection numbers thousands of items. In the museum you can learn more about Basque culture, the origins of the region’s traditions and the history of the language.

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Itsasmuseum Bilbao

 4.4/5

1947 reviews

A modern exposition located in the docks of the old Euskaldun shipyard (part of it is open-air). The museum has several thematic sections dedicated to the geography of the Bay of Biscay, flora and fauna, maritime trade and shipbuilding. Visitors will see models of ships, maps of the ocean depths, learn to tie nautical knots and try their hand at being a ship captain.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Teatro Arriaga

 4.6/5

8444 reviews

The city theatre, which was built several times and destroyed by fires and floods. The neo-Baroque building, built in the 20th century, has survived to this day. The theatre stages both dramatic and musical performances, as well as colourful dance shows. The theatre constantly hosts troupes of touring artists, who come here to perform from different countries.

Open time

Azkuna Zentroa (Alhóndiga Bilbao)

 4.5/5

16196 reviews

An entertainment complex created with the participation of industrial designer F. Stark. There are restaurants, clubs, concert venues and galleries. There is even a library and a swimming pool with a transparent floor on the top floor. Once home to a ‘strategic reserve’ of Basque wine, the building has now become a mecca of entertainment for residents and tourists alike.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Palacio Euskalduna

 4.6/5

5648 reviews

The Bilbao Symphony Orchestra performs in the building. Before a separate concert hall was built, the musicians played on the stage of the Arriaga Theatre. The Euskaldun Palace is a modern structure shaped like a ship. In addition to the performance area and auditorium, there is a gallery with shops and restaurants inside. One establishment has even been awarded a Michelin star.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Friday: 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Bizkaiko Foru Aldundiaren jauregia

 4.4/5

136 reviews

The building where the Biscayan government meets. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century. The architectural style can be classified as neo-Baroque, as the walls and facade of the building are decorated with rich decorations, but at the same time, they do not look too pretentious. It is possible to go inside as part of a tour group. In some months this is only possible in the morning.

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Bilbao City Hall

 0/5

The City Hall building was erected in 1892, designed by E. Ernesto. And although at that time neoclassical style and modernism were firmly in the minds of architects, this master remained faithful to the good old Baroque. The City Hall turned out to be remarkably similar to the elegant palaces of aristocrats of the XVII-XVIII centuries with its arched windows, central turret and picturesque balconies of the central facade.

Bilbao La Concordia Station

 4.2/5

661 reviews

The station is located in the neighbourhood of Ensanche, which was predominantly built up in the first half of the 19th century. The station building was erected in Art Nouveau style in 1902, designed by engineer V. Gorben and architect S. Achucarro. It is an architectural masterpiece of the so-called “Beautiful Era” – the period of European history from the last decades of the 19th century to the beginning of the First World War.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: 5:00 AM – 11:30 PM

Erribera merkatua

 4.4/5

28040 reviews

Ribera is considered one of the largest covered markets in Europe. As far back as the fourteenth century, it was the site of a street market. The market is housed in a building that stands at the water’s edge and resembles a ship about to set sail. They sell vegetables, farm cheeses, seafood, fruit, flowers, spices and much more. Not only can you come here to buy groceries, but also to have a delicious snack.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM

San Mamés

 4.7/5

26459 reviews

The arena opened in 2013 on the site of an old stadium that had existed for 100 years and was considered one of the best in Europe. It is the home ground for Athletic Bilbao football club. So far, the stadium has not yet managed to be as loved by the spectators as its predecessor, but the glory is sure to come as soon as the arena will host some major international competitions.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Doña Casilda de Iturrizar Park

 4.5/5

10746 reviews

A vast green area located between the neighbourhoods of Ensanche and Abandoibarra. The park covers an area of almost 50,000 m². There is an extensive network of walkways, fountains, benches and many landscaping elements. The park is a great place of recreation for residents of the neighbouring districts. Tourists also visit this place, as it is only a 5-minute walk from the Guggenheim Museum.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours