what to see and do

Bilbao's most admired and visited tourist attraction is the futuristic looking Guggenheim Museum, built in 1997. Designed by architect Frank Gehry and devoted to modern art, the museum's curving metallic walls largely resembles a huge metallic flower.

But as well as the originality of the structure itself, having made it one of the most celebrated architectural designs of the last century . The museum is one of the most important centres of modern and contemporary art in the world. Housing numerous permanent and temporary exhibitions of twentieth century US and European art. It also forms the cornerstone of the major redevelopment of the city's waterfront.

Bilbao has a number of large and small shops which have the best selection of national and international fashion. Visitors will also be tempted by the many cool shops for interior design, furniture, gifts, and delicatessen products.

The streets of Bilbao are decked with the best and trendiest designer brands, which have turned the city into a permanent, glamourous catwalk. So, the Bizkaia capital joins other European cities when it comes to haute couture, and this, combined with the exquisite taste for clothes that the people from Bilbao have always had, make the city one of the most exciting in the whole country in terms of fashion and shopping.

You also shouldn't forget the beautiful Biscayan crafts, which reflect the city's cultural identity. The artisan workshops of Biscay make both decorative and practical pieces, including ceramics, glass work, leather work, Basque pelota articles, enamels, wood and iron work, damascene, forged metal, etc.