Azkuna Zentroa

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. Although both plans showed promise, neither came to life at the time. It wasn’t until the 2000s that a transformation finally began, led by French architect and designer Philippe Starck.

The old warehouses were turned into a vast 43,000-square-metre cultural centre, supported by 43 columns, each one deliberately designed in a different style. These columns are meant to symbolise the diversity of cultures, religions, and architectural forms throughout human history. The moment you step inside, you’re immersed in one of the founding principles of this unique venue, a celebration of culture and leisure in all their forms. And here’s a little surprise: on the top floor, the building has a spectacular indoor pool suspended above the atrium, with a glass floor.

Inside the centre, you can actually look up and see people swimming above you, while those in the pool enjoy a completely unique panoramic view of the whole space. It’s such an unusual experience that it almost makes the visit worthwhile on its own.