The Most Amazing Buildings In Bilbao

The Basque city of Bilbao is particularly well known for its avant-garde contemporary designs and fascinating architecture, especially as it is home to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. However, this is not the only amazing building in the city; come with us on a tour to see some of Bilbao’s most spectacular churches, museums, hotels and even train stations.

1. The Guggenheim Bilbao

Building, Museum

Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum is the most emblematic building in the city, towering above the river like a undulating titanium ship. Designed by the Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, it was inaugurated in 1997. Today, it’s one of the world’s best modern art museums, showcasing art work from the 20th century to the modern day. Artists featured in the museum include Jeff Koons, Anish Kapoor and Louise Bourgeois.

2. Teatro Arriaga

Opera House, Theater

Bilbao’s main theatre was inspired by the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris, and was designed by the architect Joaquín Rucoba. It was inaugurated in 1890, but was only named Teatro Arriaga in 1902, after the musician Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga – known as the Hispanic Mozart. Arriaga composed his first opera at the age of 13 and sadly died of tuberculosis, aged just 20.

3. Bilbao Fine Arts Museum

Museum

The second most important art museum in Bilbao after the Guggenheim, the Museo Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum) comprises the façade of the old museum, founded in 1908, with a newer museum made of metal and glass, built in 2001. The museum’s collection features over 7,000 pieces dating from the 12th century to the modern day.

5. Azkuna Zentroa

Azkuna Zentroa | ©Starck / Wikimedia Commons

A huge culture and leisure centre, the Azkuna Zentroa, or Alhóndiga Bilbao as it is also known, is another example of how the city of Bilbao is constantly fusing together the old and the new. A former wine storage warehouse, it was redesigned by the famous French designer Philippe Starck into a modern masterpiece. It is seemingly held up by various uniquely created columns.
Azkuna Zentroa, Arriquíbar Plaza, 4, Bilbo, Bizkaia, Spain +34 944 014 014

Azkuna Zentroa | © Starck / Wikimedia Commons

6. Estación de Abando

Bridge, Train Station

At first, the Abando train station may look like any other train station in the world, but head inside and you’ll find a huge, impressive stained glass window. The scene depicts the Basilica of Begoña, the bridge of San Antón, as well as the steel industry and Basque rural sports.
Estacion de Abando, Plaza Circular 2, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain +34 902 432 343

Bilbao Estacion de Abando | © Zarateman / Wikimedia Commons | © Zarateman / Wikimedia Commons

7. Basilica de Begoña

Church

Built on the site where it is said that the Virgin Mary appeared in the 16th century, the Basilica de Begoña is without a doubt one of the most spectacular and striking buildings in the city. The church is mainly Gothic, however various architectural styles have been added over the years. The basilica is still visited today by many religious pilgrims.

8. Gran Hotel Domine

Museum

Located in front of the celebrated Guggenheim Museum, the Gran Hotel Domine is a work of art in itself. Having opened in 2002, its façade is made from metallic panels, which reflect the colours of Jeff Koons’ famous sculpture Puppy, covered in brightly coloured flowers. Inside, however, is even more impressive, with its open-plan central atrium, dominated by a large stone tower. The hotel was designed by the famous artist, illustrator and designer Javier Mariscal.

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