In many people’s eyes it’s the best museum in Bilbao: the Fine Arts Museum is one of your must-sees if you’re coming to this city. An amazing opportunity to explore the centuries-old history of Bilbao through its great masterpieces.
Neighbouring the now world-famous Guggenheim Museum, this museum houses carefully and more secretly, of course, some incredible works by unrivalled artists, which you can’t afford to miss when in Bilbao. It’s a wonderful sight to behold how delighted visitors are by the creations of these great artists.
A bit of background to the museum
The museum as we know it today was created by merging two different museums together, both founded in the early 20th century: the Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1908, and the Museum of Modern Art, founded in 1924.
The museum was created with the aim of bringing a touch of distinction to the city, at the wish of the institutions of the time and in collaboration with prominent local figures.
Where is the museum?
The Bilbao Fine Arts Museum is located in Plaza de Euskadi, alongside one of the city’s prettiest and most iconic parks, Doña Casilda Park. It’s a stone’s throw from the Guggenheim Museum, around 10 minutes’ walk away, so you now have the perfect excuse to visit both!
The museum layout
The museum building is made up of two quite different parts. The older building is right at the main entrance, with the hall, ticket office and main staircase, built in 1945. At the very start of your visit you’ll see various exhibits adorning the entrance and the imposing staircase.
In 1970, due to the growth of the collection, the museum needed to be extended and a second, more modern, building was added. Another extension was added in the late ‘90s, with the construction of a gallery to link the two buildings.
Today, the museum is undergoing a new phase of expansion and remodelling, with Luis María Uriarte and Norman Foster at the helm. In the words of the latter, it will link the cultural heritage of the past to the museum of the future. From the new gathering space in the Arriaga Atrium, the visitor will proceed to the spacious new galleries and then discover the outdoor terrace that celebrates the museum’s unique location.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see all the surprises that this new and eagerly awaited extension will have in store for us!
The museum’s collection and exhibitions
The museum’s collection is extremely varied and extensive, consisting of a wide range of styles and covering many different periods.
There are two very different parts: the permanent exhibition, consisting of pieces held in the museum, and the temporary exhibition space. To keep up with the latest news and information on all exhibitions, here’s a link to the Fine Arts Museum website.
The permanent exhibition houses works by such significant masters within the history of art as Lucas Cranach the Elder, Maerten de Vos, El Greco, José de Ribera, Francisco de Zurbarán, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Orazio Gentileschi, Francisco de Goya, Joaquín Sorolla, Mary Cassatt, Paul Gauguin, Ignacio Zuloaga, Francis Bacon, Eduardo Chillida, Antoni Tàpies, Miquel Barceló, Richard Serra and Picasso, among others.
The museum is known for its important collection of works by Basque artists, which also makes it an amazing showcase and reference point in relation to the lives and times of these artists.
Museum activities
As well as the different exhibitions, the museum also runs a range of activities, and you can find out more about these on its website. Currently, and coinciding with the new extension works, a special initiative has been launched whereby for three months, young people can get involved in the process of changing the museum. What a great initiative, don’t you think?
Other kinds of activities available are the different ways in which you can explore the museum: guided tours for groups on demand, direct engagement with the works, visits led by educators to encourage participation and familiarisation with the artworks and their creators. These are just a few of the activities on offer.
Opening hours
- Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Closed on Tuesdays.
These hours may be subject to change, as announced in advance on the museum’s website.
Entry to the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum
It’s hard to believe, but you can enjoy the exhibitions at this museum completely free of charge! How can you fail to include it in your itinerary?
But you should also bear in mind that this may be subject to change, so it’s a good idea to check the museum’s website beforehand.
Coffee and art
Before your next visit to Bilbao, one really good option to consider would be to take advantage of the location of the museum’s café to enjoy a delicious coffee with a view.
The museum café has large windows overlooking the Doña Casilda Park. The café is inside the museum building itself, so why not stop for a coffee and a typical Basque appetiser, with a view?
Now that you know all about the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, carry on planning your trip to this beautiful city by reading our articles on the Old Town, Semana Grande and our tips on visiting with your family.
