Museums paved the way in Bilbao’s regeneration process, helping the city change from an industrial powerhouse to a cultural mecca. Here are Bilbao’s top five museums.
If you’re looking to incorporate a visit to one of these museums into your short stay here, check out our recommendations for a one-day, two-day or three-day trip to Bilbao.
Guggenheim Museum
Opened in October 1997, Frank Gehry’s architectural masterpiece was the catalyst behind Bilbao’s drive to become a cultural hub.
Bearing the shape of a ship to represent the docks that once took up the space where the building now lies, the Guggenheim has become one of the world’s foremost modern and contemporary art museums.
The museum’s permanent collection includes the works of esteemed artists such as Richard Serra, Jeff Koons, Eduardo Chillida and Jenny Holzer, while the second and third floors house temporary exhibitions.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00, while in the summer it’s open every day from 10:00 to 20:00. General admission tickets cost €18, students and pensioners’ tickets are €9 and under-18s go free.
Check out our Guggenheim Guide for more in-depth information about Bilbao’s transformative museum.
Bilbao’s Museum of Fine Arts
Want something a little more classical? Check out Bilbao’s Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes). Located on the edge of the city’s Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park, this impressive building features over 19,000 pieces from a range of artists covering different cultures, schools, styles and time periods.
A few of the museum’s most iconic pieces include Francis Bacon’s ‘Lying in the Mirror’, Paul Gauguin’s ‘Washerwomen in Arles’ and Francisco de Goya’s ‘Portrait of Martin Zapater’.
The Fine Arts museum also conserves, protects and promote the works of Basque artists, containing perhaps the most extensive collection of Basque art in the world. In addition to masterpieces by prominent figures like Ignacio Zuloaga, Eduardo Chillida and Francisco de Zubarán, you can also discover pieces by Aurelio Arteta, Darío de Regoyos and Jorge Oteiza.
Bilbao’s Fine Arts Museum is free to visit and it is open from Monday to Saturday (close on Tuesdays) from 10:00 until 20:00. On Sundays, it’s open from 10:00 to 15:00.
ItsasMuseum (Bilbao Maritime Museum)
Exploring Bilbao’s connection to its river and the sea, ItsasMuseum is a must for anyone wanting to take a truly deep-dive into the city’s rich heritage.
On the outside there’s a permanent dry dock with iconic local vessels such as La Gabarra. And on the inside, ItsasMuseums takes visitors through Bilbao’s nautical history from 16th century whalers, the port of Bilbao’s industrial role in the 19th and 20th century, up to the growing popularity of rowing as a sport in Bizkaia.
The museum’s interactive, fun nature also makes it a perfect day out for families with children. For example, the museum has special prices for families and organises special canoe tours down the River Nervión.
Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11:00 until 19:00. General admission tickets cost €7, while students, pensioners, the unemployed and disabled people can enter for €3.50. Children under 6 go for free.
Athetic Club Museum and San Mames Tour
Over 125 years of being unique in the world, and it’s all captured in one of the finest football museums in the world.
With original pieces dating back to Athletic Club’s foundation in 1898 up until the modern day, this is the place to go if you want to learn more about Bilbao’s beloved football team.
In-depth, engaging and interactive, there’s something for everyone, even if you’re not really a football person. The video walls and virtual reality exhibition also make it a great experience for young children
What’s more, a general admission tickets includes a guided or audio-guided tour of the stadium, which takes you deep into San Mames, passing through the tunnel, the players’ changing rooms, the press zone, VIP area and much more.
Click here to if you want to learn more about Athletic Club and what this side means so much to Bilbainos.
From March to October AC Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00. During the summer (July and August), it’s open every day at the same times. Then from November to February, it’s open from 10:00 until 19:00. However, these times may be subject to last-minute changes on match days or when there are other special events.
Ticket prices vary depending on whether you want to explore the virtual reality exhibition or do a guided or unguided tour of the museum. Check out all the options here.
