Bilbao & Rioja 5-day Itinerary
Spain
Where to go and what to see in Bilbao & the Rioja Wine Region – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
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Overview >Bucket list experience:
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Photo Guggenheim Bilbao
Last updated: 10 November, 2022
This is the building that transformed a city and started an architectural revolution. Ever since Frank Gehry’s swirling, titanium-clad Guggenheim opened in 1997, it has been acclaimed as the greatest building of our time, and its construction supplied the spark for the remarkable rebirth of old industrial Bilbao.
The museum is home to part of the enormous Guggenheim collection of contemporary art, and every year its blockbuster special exhibitions draw art lovers from around the world. It may also be the only museum anywhere with a Michelin-starred restaurant, Nerua, serving haute cuisine. There is also a less formal bistro with prix fixe menus and an outdoor terrace.
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Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
Bilbao 3-day Itinerary
Spain
Where to go and what to see in Bilbao to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
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Overview >Price from: £22
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
The museum is a 15-minute drive or a 30-minute walk northwest from Bilbao’s old town, Casco Viejo, where tourists tend to stay. Otherwise, buses and trams both stop near the museum.
When to do it
The Guggenheim doesn’t have a huge permanent collection. If you can, time your visit to catch one of the more impressive temporary exhibitions. Check the website for upcoming shows.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain[0.2 miles]
Chic, arty, five-star hotel in Bilbao – right on the doorstep of the city’s Guggenheim Museum.
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Hotel Miro
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain[0.3 miles]
This smart little design hotel has a warm welcome, contemporary art and dazzling views of the Guggenheim Bilbao.
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Hotel Carlton
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain[0.7 miles]
This elegant, central grand dame from the 1920s is full of character – and almost next door to the Guggenheim.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Basque Country
Basque Country, Spain
Fascinating ancient traditions, world-famous gourmet treats, Spain’s finest wine region and a gorgeous golden coastline.
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Overview >Bilbao
Basque Country, Spain
Renowned for its Guggenheim Museum and edgy arts scene, this northern Spanish city has delicious Basque food and nearby golden beaches.
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Overview >Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Experience
Bilbao Museum of Fine Arts
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain[0.4 miles]
Bilbao’s fine arts museum boasts a superb collection of masterpieces, from El Greco and Zurburan to Gaugin and Francis Bacon.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
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Experience
Bilbao Maritime Museum
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain[1 miles]
This recently-added museum hosts special exhibitions dedicated to Bilbao’s seafaring and shipbuilding past.
Best for ages: 13+ | £5
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Experience
Basque Museum of Bilbao
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain[1.6 miles]
A Basque ethnographic museum in the old part of Bilbao dedicated to the culture and history of one of Europe’s oldest peoples. Closed on Tuesdays.
Best for ages: 18+ | £5
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Ribera Market
Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain[1.6 miles]
One of the biggest covered markets in the world, this Basque food market is a lush, colourful extravaganza of wonderfully fresh produce.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Round-ups that include this experience
32 World’s greatest art museums
Multiple countries
From New York to London, Paris to Berlin, here’s our round-up of the must-see art galleries and museums around the world that should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.
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