Guggenheim Museum and Bilbao

This tour gives a great overview of Bilbao and includes a visit to the architecturally stunning Guggenheim Museum, located in the area of Abadoibarra.

Starting off from the pier, you will enjoy a scenic drive through Bilbao as you make your way towards the Guggenheim Museum. En route, your guide will introduce you to this Basque city as you pass through the older industrial district. You will next pass the new palace of Congresses and the Plaza Elptica, where the old Carlton Hotel and the old Hacienda Floral are located. From here, you will cross the Deusto Bridge to reach the Guggenheim Museum.

The Guggenheim building is truly a work of art in itself, designed by Canadian architect Frank Gehry. The Museum's collection focuses on postwar works and the inaugural exhibition places a strong emphasis on the art of the past four decades, including major examples of Pop Art, Minimalism, Arte Povera, Conceptual Art and the respective developments of each successive generation. Featured artists include Carl Andre, Joseph Beuys, Gilbert and George, Yves Klein, Roy Lichtenstein, Agnes Martin, Mario Merz, Robert Morris, Bruce Nauman, Claes Oldenburg and Andy Warhol. The exhibition also highlights contemporary Basque and Spanish art, including the work of Cristina Iglesias, Susana Solano and Francesc Torres. After the guided visit of the museum, you will take a short tour of Bilbao.

Following an approximately 2 1/2 hour visit at the Guggenheim Museum, you will rejoin your coach and continue back into the heart of Bilbao. This charming city is both modern and dynamic while at the same time, quite traditional with its 700 years of history adding to the ambiance. Leaving your coach behind, you'll enjoy a guided walk around the Old Quarter, the most popular area of the city. Here, you will see the Teatro Arriaga, el Arenal, the old stevedoring port and today one of the favorite promenades of the citizens of Bilbao, the San Nicholas Church, the Cathedral of Santiago along with its cloister, and Plaza Nueva. After approximately 1 hour, your coach will transfer you back to the pier where your tour concluded.