Visit Bilbao

Plaza Nueva is a key landmark in Bilbao’s historic centre, and has been at the heart of the city’s social life since 1851. When locals aren’t strolling through the surrounding streets, this is where they come to unwind. Read more

Welcome to the Arriaga Theatre, one of Bilbao’s most iconic and beautiful buildings. It was built between 1886 and 1890 by architect Joaquín de Rucoba, who also designed Malaga’s Atarazanas Market and bullring. Read more

Bilbao has three railway stations, but only one leaves such a lasting impression. When it first opened in 1902, Concordia Station helped to transform the city’s long-standing industrial image Read more

Tall, white, and suspended 10 metres above the Ria River, the Zubizuri Bridge is a sight to see. The Zubizuri, or 'white bridge' in Basque, is a pedestrian walkway that first opened to the public in 1997. Read more

A true icon of contemporary design, the Guggenheim Museum has found its home in Bilbao. It’s now an international landmark that needs no introduction. Read more

Barcelona or Bilbao? Casa Montero is one of Bilbao’s finest examples of Art Nouveau, and the only one in the city originally built as a private residence. Read more

Minimalist in style and deeply cherished by Bilbao’s residents, the Museum of Fine Arts is one of Spain’s leading cultural institutions. Founded in 1908 with the help of local art collectors, the museum has stood here since 1945, after merging with the Museum of Modern Art. Read more

Long regarded as Bilbao’s only real green space, Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park is one of the city’s favourite outdoor spots, spanning 11 hectares. Although this area was part of Bilbao’s expansion plans since 1876, its story really begins in 1907. Read more

Inaugurated in 1999, this building is considered one of the most striking examples of contemporary Spanish architecture. Made mostly from corten steel, its structure is said to resemble a ship under construction. At first glance, the comparison might not be obvious, but with a little imagination, the vision comes into focus. Read more

Bilbao and the Ria River share a connection that almost feels like a love story. The river has always been at the heart of the city’s development. Read more

When people think of Bilbao, they often picture a city where the old and the new meet. On one side, there’s the historic core with buildings dating back to the 16th century. On the other, the Ensanche district, where the architecture is increasingly bold and futuristic. Read more

Bilbao has been on quite the architectural journey in recent years, with striking modern buildings popping up across the city, creating a fascinating contrast with the historic quarters. Read more

No tour of Bilbao’s architecture would be complete without a stop at the massive grey and red building along the banks of the Ria River. La Ribera Market has been a key commercial hub for the city and the region since the 16th century, though the striking structure you see today was completed in 1929. Read more

While exploring the Old Town of Bilbao, you’ll come across the former Corazón de María Church, now home to the Museum of Artistic Reproductions. Read more

Bilbao is full of architectural gems, but the Campos Elíseos Antzokia Theatre stands out from the rest. Iconic and unlike anything else in the city, this striking cultural landmark leaves a lasting impression the moment you see it. Read more

A major cultural landmark in Bilbao, Azkuna Zentroa is one of the city council’s most ambitious renovation projects. The site was originally home to a series of warehouses used to store wine. When they were no longer needed in the 1970s, the space was abandoned, and the city was torn between turning it into a cultural centre, or using it to house the Guggenheim family’s modern art collection. Read more

Since its reconstruction in 2008, Plaza Bizkaia has become the modern face of Bilbao. The pergolas and side waterfalls that once defined the square were removed to create a space that’s more open, comfortable, and pedestrian friendly. Read more

The Chavarri Palace, at the heart of Plaza de Federico, is impossible to miss. Walking through the square, your eyes are drawn to this striking building, of otherworldly design. In the 19th century, Víctor Chavarri, a prominent industrialist at the time, set out to build a new family residence in Bilbao. Read more