There's More to Bilbao than the Guggenheim

Bilbao's Cultural Renaissance has Seen the Basque City Flourish

Nov 2, 2008

Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque region of Spain and since the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in 1997 it has moved away from its grim industrial heritage.

In the past, many tourists would have used Bilbao, Spain simply as a stepping-stone to the country's Basque region but now there are reasons to linger and enjoy a Bilbao holiday.

Guggenheim Museum

The opening, in 1997, of the architecturally striking Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank O Gehry, was a landmark in Bilbao's history and heralded the beginning of the city’s regeneration.

Since then the city has been transformed with new and innovative architecture, blended with some fine, and now restored traditional buildings, which include some of the best themed and contemporary museums in Spain. This powerful combination is now attracting visitors who have been enticed by this cultural renaissance.

The museum situated on the banks of the Nervion River has its own dazzling collection of modern art but keeps its exhibitions fresh because it also shares collections with Guggenheim Museums in New York and Venice.

Bilbao's Old Quarter

The Old Quarter (Casco Viejo), now a Historic – Artistic Site houses a number of outstanding buildings, many of them now cleaned and restored.

Its striking 16th century Gothic Cathedral of Santiago, the Church of Los Santos Juanes and the Basilica of Our Lady of Begona which is dedicated to the Patron Saint of the city are three of the many examples of religious architecture in the city. All are essential stops on any exploration of the old part of town.

Shopping in Bilbao

Casco Viejo is an area of winding streets and small squares; it’s a great place to shop, with lots of traditional items, books and antiques mixed with the best in contemporary shopping.

Leaving the Casco Viejo by way of the Arenal Bridge many visitors will head for the Gran Via, the main road through the centre of Bilboa. The thoroughfare is guarded at one end by a statue of Don Diego Lopez, the founder of the new city, at the other a statue of Christ the Sacred Heart and in between plenty of shops, cafes and some of the city’s finest green spaces.

There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars to choose from, indeed the city describes itself as the "Cod Capital of the World", a reference to the extensive use of the fish in both traditional Basque cuisine and the most modern of culinary creations.

For the young at heart there is a lively nightlife, offering dancing and both traditional and contemporary music.

Getting to the city is easy. In keeping with its changing image Bilbao has a modern airport terminal, which accepts flights from around Europe.

Getting around the city has also now become easier with a new Metro system, designed by British architect Sir Norman Foster, which has won a number of prizes for its innovative design.

The copyright of the article There's More to Bilbao than the Guggenheim in Spain Travel is owned by Neil Gunn. Permission to republish There's More to Bilbao than the Guggenheim in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.