Top Bilbao Attractions
Bilbao is the capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country.
It is the tenth largest city in Spain.
Bilbao is situated in the north-central part of Spain, some 14 Km (8.7 mi) south of the Bay of Biscay,
where the estuary of Bilbao is formed.
Since its foundation in the early 14th century, Bilbao was a commercial hub that enjoyed significant
importance in the Green Spain, mainly thanks to its port activity based on the export of iron extracted
from the Biscayan quarries. Throughout the 19th century and beginnings of the 20th, Bilbao experienced
heavy industrialization that made it the centre of the second industrialized region of Spain, behind
Barcelona.
The Guggenheim Museum is a museum of modern and contemporary art, designed by the architect
Frank Gehry. It is built alongside the Nervion River, which runs through the city of Bilbao.
The museum features permanent and visiting exhibits of works by Spanish and international artists.
It was the building most frequently named as one of the most important works completed since 1980
in the 2010 World Architecture Survey among architecture experts. When it was opened to the public
in 1997, it was immediately hailed as one of the world's most spectacular buildings in the style
of Deconstructivism.
Subway: Moyua Station
Location: Abandoibarra Avenue, 2
Web: https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.es
E-mail: informacion@guggenheim-bilbao.es
Phone: (+34) 944 35 90 23
Santiago Cathedral is a Catholic Cathedral that was officially declared cathedral of Bilbao in 1950.
Its origins probably date to well before the foundation of the city in 1300.
The temple is consecrated in honor of the apostle Saint James the Great, by virtue of being a point
of transit for the pilgrims that followed the Northern branch of the Way of Saint James. It shouldn't
be confused with the Santiago Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Location: Plazuela de Santiago, 1
Phone: (+34) 944 15 36 27
The University of Deusto first opened in 1886. A huge building was designed by architect Marquess of Cubas, which was at its time Bilbao's largest building. Now it is the main building of the campus situated opposite to the Guggenheim Museum.
Subway: Deusto Station
Location: University Avenue, 24
Web: https://www.deusto.es/en/
Phone: (+34) 944 13 90 00
The Basilica of Begoña is a basilica dedicated to the patron saint of Biscay, the Virgin Begoña. It
was built, exactly in the very same spot where the virgin appeared in the beginning of the 16th century.
The basilica is of late Gothic style and the main gate features a beautiful Renaissance triumphal
arch. The Baroque altarpiece disappeared in the first Carlist War and was replaced by the present one,
of Elizabethan style. It is presided by a Gothic sculpture of the Virgin Begoña, of polychrome wood.
Location: Virgin Begoña, 38
Phone: (+34) 944 12 70 91
"Las Siete Calles" (The Seven Streets) or "Casco Viejo" (Old Town) are different names for the
medieval neighbourhood of Bilbao, part of the Ibaiondo district, it used to be the walled part of
the town until the end of the 19th century.
The area is probably the most colorful part of Bilbao, including many shops and taverns.
Subway: Casco Viejo Station
Location: Ibaiondo District
El Mercado de la Ribera (Riverbank Market) is located on the right bank of the Nervión River, in the heart of the Old Town ("Casco Viejo"),
alongside Bilbao Estuary.
It was built in 1929 and covers 10,000 m2, making it the largest indoor market in Europe.
Inside there are no columns. It is a completely open space and its illumination takes on special
importance. The sunlight enters from above and filters through the floors. It is also outstanding
for the excellent variety of fish and seafood on sale.
Location: Ribera, 20
Phone: (+34) 944 15 70 86
The Plaza Nueva (New Square) is a monumental square of Neoclassical style built in 1821. Its name comes from the previously existing Plaza Vieja (Old Square) in the place where the Riverbank Market was built. The square is enclosed by arcaded buildings and accessed by arches known as caves.
Subway: Casco Viejo Station
Location: Plaza Nueva
The Town Hall is set on the bank of the river. It was inaugurated in 1892 on the site of the old San Agustín Convent. The building was designed by the architect Joaquín Rucoba, and artists of the period contributed to this elegant, highly ornamental construction. The interior décor is extremely interesting.
Subway: Casco Viejo Station
Location: Ernesto Erkoreka Square, 1
Phone: (+34) 944 45 28 28
The Estuary of Bilbao lies at the common mouth of the rivers Nervion, Ibaizabal and Cadagua, that drain most of Biscay. It is a large estuary 16 km (9.9 mi) long that extends from Bilbao to the Bilbao Abra bay, a widening that makes the final transition between river and sea. It hosts the port of Bilbao.
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The Port of Bilbao is located on the Bilbao Abra bay, and along the Estuary of Bilbao. The main facilities are in the Santurtzi and Zierbena municipalities, approximately 15 km (9.3mi) west of Bilbao.
Subway: Line 2, Santurtzi Station
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The Museum of Fine Arts takes a journey through the general history of art from the 12th century to
the present day. The paintings are displayed in a surprisingly original way, with the frames perfectly
aligned in a single row.
This centre comprises the old Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art which opened in
1924. The collection combines classical art with contemporary art.
Location: Plaza del Museo Square, 2
Web: https://bilbaomuseoa.eus/en/
E-mail: info@bilbaomuseoa.eus
Phone: (+34) 944 39 60 60
