Cultural Bilbao

Quantity and quality in all artistic expressions

With regards to performing arts, the long-running and prestigious opera season in Bilbao brings together top international singing stars in spectacular shows in front of more than 2,000 people at the Euskalduna Palace. The Bilbao and Euskadi Symphony Orchestras and the Municipal Band offer high quality concerts throughout the year for classical music lovers. In turn, the Arriaga Theatre is home to a varied programme of theatre, dance and music; and there are other stages around the city, and 75 cinema screens.

Bilbao's 700 year history can be seen in its buildings and constructions, which will amaze visitors. The old town is an Historic-Artistic Monument and a reference point for reconstructing the city's history from its beginnings. It is an example of urban regeneration, with more than 400 shops of all kinds. The city centre is an example of the best 20th century architecture, with buildings that have been housing the main institutions and companies in Bilbao for more than a hundred years. It is an outstanding architectural site, always designed by the best local architects.

Nonetheless, the city continues to expand: alongside the skill of local architects, the top international firms are represented with works by Foster, Gehry, Calatrava, Isozaki, Pelli...

The cultural activities in Bilbao are irresistible, with two of the best art galleries in Spain, six theme museums, contemporary art exhibitions and an ongoing programme with shows: opera, symphony orchestras, theatre, dance, cinema and light, pop and rock music.

Nonetheless, the city continues to expand: alongside the skill of local architects, the top international firms are represented with works by Foster, Gehry, Calatrava, Isozaki, Pelli...

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao has become the cultural and tourism driving force of the Basque Country. This spectacular building (Frank O. Gehry, 1997) is covered in titanium panels and has its own important collection, as well as sharing the largest private modern and contemporary art collection in the world with New York and Venice. The Fine Arts Museum is one of the best in Spain and has a complete and priceless art gallery with three collections: old art (El Greco, Zurbarán, Goya or Van Dyck), contemporary art (Gauguin, Bacon or Tàpies) and Basque art (Regoyos, Zuloaga or Iturrino).

The Basque Museum includes Basque prehistory and archaeology; the Diocesan Museum of Religious Art and the Easter Pasos Museum hold religious works connected with Bizkaia. Other museums in Bilbao are the Maritime Museum and the Bullfighting Museum. The Rekalde exhibition hall holds top class contemporary art exhibitions. There are also about twenty other galleries with permanent plastic art exhibitions. Read more

Nonetheless, the city continues to expand: alongside the skill of local architects, the top international firms are represented with works by Foster, Gehry, Calatrava, Isozaki, Pelli...