Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

If not even for the exhibits, at least go simply for the architectural design of the building.

Limited amount of art. That was way back in 2003, though!

Easily one of the top museums in Europe, if you are an off-the-beaten path person. Granted, this is ON the beaten path, but not compared to the Louvre, Tate, etc. Be prepared for some amazing visiting exhibitions. And, best of all, even if you don’t like them, the building itself and all the angles you can view it from are worth the trip. Plus I love Bilbao.

Even though Frank Gehry gets a bad rap sometimes for being just another arrogant architect who’s buildings all look the same and who has no concern for the people and things that inhabit his space, I loved my visit here. The crazy angles and curves did not take away from the art inside, but added to it, giving a whole new dimension to the modern art experience. I also loved all the mobiles, they mesmerized me, I could have sat and watched them for hours. Also, go for a packed lunch with a nutella sandwich (the European substitute for peanut butter). It’s a Spanish fav, and quite delish.

The Guggenheim is on my list of Top Expressionist Modern Feats of Architecture to see before I die. Thankfully one of my awesome girlfriends is going to accompany me on a trip to see it in Spring of 08.

I’m thrilled beyond belief!

nice city and wonderful site, pleasant walkway along river leads up around to entrance, great space, lotsa good rest spots, good cafe, good vegetarian restaurant nearby.. had a tasty nourishing economical lunch… great afternoon in sep’99

It is shut on Mondays.

But definitely worth visiting. Amazing building.

Even though I have technically been to Bilbao and on the premises of the Guggenheim, I still consider this to be on my “want to go” list. My parents, my husband and I were in the southwest France for my brother’s wedding in 2003 and decided to take a drive to Bilbao to visit the Guggenheim. Well, after a couple of hours with the four of us in a tiny, tiny European car, and a couple of loops around the city to find a parking space, we trudged up to the doors of the museum only to find it closed.

It’s fairly typical for museums to be closed on Mondays, but apparently this fact has escaped us. I had flashbacks of National Lampoon’s Vacation. All we needed was the moose saying, “Sorry folks, we’re closed.” I won’t go into the fact that we arrived at around siesta time, so not only was the museum closed, but so was everything else.

In any case, I do hope to make it back some day to check it out.

One of the best art galleries I have ever been to.

The city is a wonder – old world charm on the ‘seven streets’ and new world architecture by Gehry and Calatrava (the airport). Wonderful people, wonderful food. What more can I say?

I would go back in a heartbeat.