Our cruise stops in Bilbao and I'm wondering what might be worth doing in the area aside from the museum. We're interested in seeing the outside of the Guggenheim since we enjoy seeing Gehry's work, but we're not especially interested in seeing the exhibits (do plenty of that all year). Is the town at all interesting? Are there close-by sights worth seeing? Any great scenery, etc? Thanks for ideas.

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my wife and i travelled to bilbao last november for the weekend we did not see a lot as because of high winds our plane was diverted to bordeaux and had to travel back by coach `(300k) arriving at 3.00 am intead of 9.oo pm. Any way it is a very beautiful city, especially the old part. If you go to the east side of the river at the bridge, puenta del aranel, by the station the walk along the river is very nice as far as the bridge - Pasarela zubi zuri - and cross then walk to the gugenheim. The bridge is similar to the milenium bridge in london. Also from the puenta del arenal follow the river the opposite way and you will come to the market which is an experience in itself. from there head north down the narrow street and explore the squares and cafes and bars. nothing of great exception but very pleasant. The opposite of the river from the market is considered as not a place to visit.

To me the best part of the museum is the outside of it. See if from all angles and from accross the bridge. pretty amazing.

As Mrgrumpy says , the old part is very nice and not too big. Go to Plaza Nueva and sit at one of the tapas bars. If you like fried calamari, try their "rabas". Amazing!

I wouldnīt miss the www.puente-colgante.com, very close to where you will arrive. It is something you will not see anywhere else in the world...and itīs not for tourists!!

The scenery in the Basque Country is simply amazing, the coast is rugged and beautiful, small beaches surroundered by trees, unspoilt towns...In Bilbao donīt miss the Casco Viejo (Old Town), walking in Bilbao is a pleasure. You can also take the funicular to Artxanda mountain (opposite the Guggenheim), been there for 100 years, and enjoy the views (a five minutes ride for a few cents, not a tourist attraction either)

I thought it was disappointing, and I love nearly everywhere I go. The scenery around the area is gorgeous but I found Bilbao an industrial city with not that much to do for tourists other than the Guggenheim. By the 2nd day we were really struggling for things to do. I much preferred San Sebastian which is only an hour away.