GUGGENHEIM museum from San Sebastian

ARTXANDA VIEWPOINT

The Mirador de Artxanda is a must-go, when you visit Bilbao, since it is located on the top of one of the mountains that border the town and gives us on one side a complete panoramic view of Bilbao, on the other hand we can see the green valleys and the sea

Once we learn how the city lays in the valley, we will drive down directly to heart of the city of Bilbao.

OLD TOWN OF BILBAO

In order to understand the fundation and history of Bilbao, we will walk through the narrow streets of the Old Town, exploring the highlights such as PLAZA NUEVA, CATEDRAL DE SANTIAGO, LA RIBERA MARKET, SAN ANTON CHURCH

We will take time to have lunch (NOT included) so we get to the second part of the day, full of energy

A wonderful walk of about 20 minutes starting in the Old Town and going through Abandoibarra, will take us directly to the GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM

GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM

Designed by the North American architect Frank Gehry, this unique museum on the riverside is the highlight of Bilbao since 1997. The building itself is an extraordinary combination of interconnecting shapes. Impressive limestone blocks contrast with curved architectural forms covered in titanium. Glass curtain walling provides the building with the light and transparency it needs.

An abstract ship shape, and the titanium panels resembling fish scales pay homage to the fact that the river was historically the economic hub of Bilbao

Explore the museum by yourself, an audio guide is included in the ticket price.

OPTIONAL FOR ART LOVERS

If you are an art lover, we could organize the day visiting the Guggenheim museum in the morning and then come back near to San Sebastian to visit the open air sculpture museum of the famous local artist Eduardo Chillida, called Chillida-Leku in the afternoon.

Chillida-Leku is the culmination of one of the artist's lifelong dreams: to create a space for his work where it could be on permanent display. This monographic museum is a faithful representation of the sculptor's fifty year long artistic career.

Chillida-Leku is the perfect setting to enjoy the full magnitude of this internationally-known artist. The museum is divided into three areas: A 12-hectare hillside (nearly 30 acres) with beech trees, oaks and magnolias studded with over 40 sculptures. A service area featuring an auditorium, with images of the artist at work projected continuously, a rest area, and a gift shop. And finally, the centrepiece of the museum is the Zabalaga farmhouse, which houses the smaller format pieces in corten steel, alabaster, granite, terracotta, plaster, wood and paper.

Chillida-Leku is a sculpture in itself - another work of art in which the sculptor perfectly captures and renders his vision of shape, space and the passing of time. Chillida’s questions become answers as visitors make their way through the museum grounds.