Bilbao is the capital of the province of Biscay in northern Spain. It is known for its architecture, especially its modern buildings, and for this reason it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also one of Europe's leading industrial cities, home to many companies such as Altria and Iberdrola.
Getting to Bilbao is not so difficult if you know how. You can reach the city by a rented car from Madrid and it will take only a few hours. If you want to make sure that everything goes well on your trip, check out our article about driving safely in Spain!
If you're planning a trip to Bilbao or are just interested in learning more about this beautiful city, read on! We've compiled some information on our favorite tourist attractions here.
The Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum is a work of art, not just a building. Spanish architect Frank Gehry designed the museum, which opened in 1997 and houses some of the world's most important modern art pieces. The collection includes works by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, as well as pieces by artists from around the world who have been inspired by Bilbao's architecture--including Antoni Tapio (who designed Casa Botines), Santiago Calatrava (who designed La Salve Bridge), and Luis Moya Blanco (who created Plaza Moyua).
The building itself is an architectural marvel that blends seamlessly into its surroundings while also standing out as an architectural feat unto itself: The titanium panels reflect sunlight like mirrors during daytime hours; at night they glow like beacons on top of hillsides lit up with spotlights behind them. Visitors can enter through two entrances--one on Plaza Euskadi or another farther down Calle Zubizuri--and walk up escalators past several floors showcasing different exhibits before reaching one final level where they'll find themselves surrounded by waterfalls flowing down walls made entirely out of glass!
The La Salve Bridge
The La Salve Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in Bilbao. It was built in 1893 and marked the beginning of industrial development in this city. The bridge was designed by Ricardo Bastida, who also designed other important buildings in Bilbao such as La Casa de Juntas de Abastos (The House of Supplies). This iron and steel structure has a total length of 484 meters (1,588 ft), making it one of longest pedestrian bridges in Europe. The main part is painted white while its two side arms are green with yellow stripes on them.
Museo Maritimo de Bilbao
The Museo Maritimo de Bilbao is one of the largest maritime museums in Europe and was founded in 1985. It's located at the mouth of the Nervion River, which flows into Bilbao Bay. The museum has two main exhibition halls: one devoted to marine archaeology and another that houses models of historical ships. In addition to its exhibits, this attraction also offers guided tours of its outdoor exhibition spaces as well as special events like concerts or films related to maritime culture (usually held on weekends).
Puente Colgante Bilbao-San Adrian
The Puente Colgante Bilbao-San Adrian is a pedestrian bridge that crosses the river Nervion and connects both banks of the city. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava, a famous Spanish architect who also designed some other landmarks in Spain such as the Museum of Alhambra (Granada), Ciudad de la Cultura y las Artes (Murcia) and L'Hemisferes de Montjuic (Barcelona). This spectacular structure was opened in 1995 after three years of construction work. It's one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bilbao and has become an important symbol for both cities involved: Bilbao and San Sebastian.
Casco Viejo or Old Town
Casco Viejo or Old Town is the oldest part of Bilbao and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. The area has many historical buildings and monuments, including San Nicolas Church (built in 1391), Plaza Nueva (a square dating back to 1614) and Casa de Juntas de Pasajeros (a former meeting place for merchants).
Casco Viejo also has a lot of shopping options for tourists looking for souvenirs or gifts. You can find stores selling everything from local wines to handcrafted jewelry made from recycled materials like old silverware or copper pipes. Restaurants serving traditional Basque cuisine are scattered throughout this district as well; if you're craving some pintxos (tapas), your best bet is probably going to be Calle Zarautz--it's one of the main streets where locals eat out at night so there are plenty of options nearby!
If you want something more relaxing than just walking around checking things out then consider renting bicycles instead - they're available near several central locations within this district including Plaza Nueva where they'll even give lessons before letting riders go off on their own safely.
Plaza Nueva Bilbao
Plaza Nueva Bilbao is an open square in the center of Bilbao. It's a popular place for people to gather, especially during festivals and celebrations. The plaza is also known as Plaza Nueva (New Square). Plaza Nueva has played host to many events over the years, including concerts and fairs. It was once known as Plaza del Arenal until it was renamed Plaza Nueva in 1876 when the old fortifications were removed from around its perimeter.
Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao
The Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, located in the heart of the city, is one of the most visited museums in Spain. Its collection includes paintings from the 16th to 20th centuries. It also has many sculptures and drawings by great artists such as Goya, El Greco and Picasso. The museum is open from 10:00 to 20:00 every day except Mondays and public holidays (closed).
Arriaga Theater
The Arriaga Theater is located in Bilbao, Spain. It was built in 1893 and named after composer Juan Crisostomo de Arriaga. It is the largest theater in Bilbao and one of the most important cultural centers of Spain today. The theater hosts various events such as concerts, dance shows and plays. Many famous artists have performed here over its long history including: Placido Domingo (opera), Montserrat Caballe (singing), Julio Iglesias (pop music) and many others!
To get there take bus number 2 or 7 from Plaza del Ensanche direction "Alameda del Boulevard" stop number 3; walk for about 5 minutes until you arrive at Plaza de la Musica where you can see it on your left side - just follow this street until it ends at San Mames Square where there are also several other tourist attractions such as Santiago Cathedral or Casa Consistorial building which houses Bilbao City Council offices today.
We hope you've enjoyed our list of the most popular tourist places in Bilbao. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.