Art guide · Basque Country
Directory, map and artistic districts
From the Guggenheim to the Bilbao La Vieja galleries, a verified guide to seeing Basque art, meeting contemporary creation and identifying places to acquire a work.
Bilbao · BizkaiaMuseums, commercial art galleries, studios and creative centres.
Understand the local scene
Bilbao, from the industrial city to the city of art
Frank Gehry’s spectacular museum is just the gateway. Around the estuary, the Bilbao Art District brings together commercial art galleries, institutions, production spaces and collections where Basque art enters into dialogue with international avant-garde movements.
Buyers can also explore theoriginal paintings available at Alpha Reproduction, seek advice before acquisition and benefit from suitable packaging with international delivery.
Two complementary museums
The Guggenheim favors monumental modernity; the Museum of Fine Arts has a long history, with an essential place given to Basque artists.
A professional market
CarrerasMugica, Vanguardia, Lumbreras and Michel Mejuto represent artists, participate in fairs and really support acquisitions.
Production districts
Bilbao La Vieja, San Francisco and Urazurrutia concentrate galleries, workshops and public spaces where creation shows itself as close as possible to its processes.
Interactive schematic map
Five sectors to organize the visit
Click a sector to filter the directory. The map shows clusters of venues; each listing’s Google Maps button leads to its exact address.
Choose a sector
The tram runs along Abandoibarra and the ría; metro, walking and funicular easily complete the central routes.
Acquire a work
Moving from a visit to a thoughtful acquisition
Browse theoriginal paintings currently available, then ask for advice before acquisition. Each work benefits from suitable packaging and can be shipped by international delivery.
Verified directory
28 galleries, museums, workshops and art centers
28 locations displayed
01
Abandoibarra & Guggenheim
Musée Guggenheim Bilbao
Avenida Abandoibarra, 2, 48009 Bilbao
Frank Gehry's building remains Bilbao's great artistic landmark. Inside, the collection and temporary exhibitions favor installations, sculpture, painting and large-scale contemporary practices; outside, the ria promenade naturally extends the visit.
02
Abandoibarra & Guggenheim
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bilbao
Plaza Eduardo Chillida, 48009 Bilbao
This encyclopaedic collection connects European painting, the Spanish school, Basque art and contemporary work. Following a major expansion, the museum is the ideal complement to the Guggenheim for understanding several centuries of art history rather than a single moment of modernity.
03
Ria, Deusto & Otxarkoaga
Itsasmuseum Bilbao
Muelle Ramon de la Sota, 1, 48013 Bilbao
Installed in the former docks of Euskalduna, the maritime museum recounts the industrial and urban transformation of the ria. Its temporary exhibitions regularly bring together photography, design, working-class memory and visual creation with the naval collections.
04
Ensanche, Moyua & Indautxu
Sala Rekalde
Iparragirre Kalea, 21, 48009 Bilbao
Bizkaia’s provincial contemporary art exhibition space supports experimental practices, emerging artists and research projects. Its programme combines major exhibitions, a laboratory space and public engagement, a few minutes from Plaza Moyua.
05Works for sale
Abandoibarra & Guggenheim
CarrerasMugica
Heros Kalea, 2, 48009 Bilbao
A reference in the Basque market, CarrerasMugica represents local and international artists and participates in professional fairs. The sober space emphasizes solid conceptual and historical approaches; the works exhibited or proposed by the gallery's artists are available on request.
06Works for sale
Ensanche, Moyua & Indautxu
Galería Juan Manuel Lumbreras
Henao Kalea, 3, 48009 Bilbao
This gallery on Henao develops a painting, sculpture and photography programme that brings established and newer artists into dialogue. Its website clearly identifies available works, making it useful for collectors seeking information on formats and availability.
07Works for sale
Abandoibarra & Guggenheim
Galería Vanguardia
Alameda de Mazarredo, 19, 48001 Bilbao
Active since 1984, Vanguardia distributes and markets contemporary art attentive to new technologies, photography and transdisciplinary languages. Its regular programming brings together Basque, national and international artists in the heart of the Bilbao Art District.
08Works for sale
Ensanche, Moyua & Indautxu
Galería Michel Mejuto
Juan de Ajuriaguerra Kalea, 18, 48009 Bilbao
A specialist in Basque art from 1850 to 1980, Michel Mejuto brings together paintings, drawings, engravings and sculptures intended for collectors and institutions. The gallery also offers expertise and advice, with a collection including Chillida, Oteiza, Regoyos and Zuloaga.
09
Ensanche, Moyua & Indautxu
Azkuna Zentroa – Alhóndiga Bilbao
Plaza Arriquibar, 4, 48010 Bilbao
A former warehouse reinvented by Philippe Starck, Azkuna Zentroa is a contemporary culture platform with multiple formats. Exhibitions, residencies, cinema, performance and digital arts compose an international program that goes beyond the framework of a classic gallery.
10
Ensanche, Moyua & Indautxu
Sala BBK
Gran Vía de Don Diego Lopez de Haro, 19 -21, 48001 Bilbao
This multipurpose room at Gran Vía reserves a regular place for photography, visual arts and urban culture, alongside concerts and shows. Checking the agenda is essential, because the exhibitions alternate with the stage programming.
11
Bilbao La Vieja, San Francisco & Zabala
Fundación BilbaoArte Fundazioa
Urazurrutia Kalea, 32, 48003 Bilbao
BilbaoArte supports artistic production through workshops, scholarships, residencies and dissemination projects. The Urazurrutia site allows you to approach work processes as much as completed works; open days and presentations from residents are the best times to discover it.
12
Abandoibarra & Guggenheim
Sala URIBITARTE40
Uribitarte Pasealekua, 40, 48009 Bilbao
BilbaoArte’s second exhibition space, near the estuary, gives central visibility to artists supported by the foundation and to invited projects. Its independent exhibition schedule makes it worth visiting separately from the Urazurrutia headquarters, especially to follow emerging local artists.
13
Abandoibarra & Guggenheim
Bizkaia Aretoa – UPV/EHU
Avenida Abandoibarra, 3, 48009 Bilbao
The Alvaro Siza university building hosts publicly accessible conferences and exhibitions. Photography, architecture, artistic research and creation from the university find a bright setting there, just opposite the Abandoibarra promenade.
14Works for sale
Bilbao La Vieja, San Francisco & Zabala
Aldama Fabre Gallery
Plaza de los Tres Pilares, 7, 48003 Bilbao
Founded in 2016, Aldama Fabre supports emerging Spanish and international artists with a curatorial approach attentive to processes. The exhibitions present pieces actually offered for sale, often in ranges accessible to new collectors.
15Works for sale
Bilbao La Vieja, San Francisco & Zabala
Espacio Marzana
Muelle Marzana, 5, 48003 Bilbao
Facing the Ribera market, this gallery is a pillar of the cultural renewal of Bilbao La Vieja. Its program defends Basque and Spanish artists through tight exhibitions; the works are offered in a professional setting conducive to direct exchange.
16Works for sale
Bilbao La Vieja, San Francisco & Zabala
SC Gallery
Cortes Kalea, 4, lonja, 48003 Bilbao
SC Gallery connects exhibition space to the production of public art projects. Painting, sculpture, muralism and urban approaches structure a very identified program; the gallery provides direct information on the available works of its artists.
17
Bilbao La Vieja, San Francisco & Zabala
Musée des Reproductions artistiques
San Francisco Kalea, 14, 48003 Bilbao
Installed in the former church of the Heart of Mary, this unique museum brings together historical casts of ancient, medieval and Renaissance masterpieces. The monumental scenography helps to compare shapes, gestures and proportions without leaving Bilbao La Vieja.
18
Casco Viejo & Atxuri
Sala de exposiciones Palacio Yohn
Pelota Kalea, 10, 48005 Bilbao
In the municipal center of La Bolsa, the Palacio Yohn hosts exhibitions of associations, local artists and citizen projects. The programming varies quickly: this room is especially interesting for capturing local creation in the heart of Siete Calles.
19
Bilbao La Vieja, San Francisco & Zabala
Sala de exposiciones San Francisco
Plaza Corazon de Maria, s/n, 48003 Bilbao
The San Francisco municipal centre offers exhibitions linked to the neighbourhood, cultural diversity and amateur or professional art. Combine it with the Museum of Artistic Reproductions on the same square for a more socially focused view of the art scene.
20
Bilbao La Vieja, San Francisco & Zabala
Sala de exposiciones Zabala
Zabala Kalea, 41, 48003 Bilbao
This small municipal hall gives visibility to Zabala's cultural initiatives and collective projects. It is not open continuously like a museum: consult the city's agenda before going up from San Francisco.
21Works for sale
Casco Viejo & Atxuri
La Taller – Taller y Galería de Grabado
Zumarraga Kalea, 7, corner Maestro Icíar, 48006 Bilbao
La Taller is a printmaking studio, educational space and gallery. Visitors can follow contemporary printmaking from plate to impression through exhibitions, courses and editions available to buy on site.
22Works for sale
Casco Viejo & Atxuri
Carré d’artistes Bilbao
Tendería Kalea, 28, 48005 Bilbao
This Casco Viejo gallery sells original contemporary works with clearly presented formats and prices. Paintings, sculptures and art objects make a guided first purchase possible in a setting less intimidating than a traditional gallery.
23Works for sale
Casco Viejo & Atxuri
KALAO Panafrican Creations
Bilbao, Bizkaia - visits and projects by appointment
Since 2005, KALAO has been developing projects in Bilbao dedicated to contemporary African scenes: painting, sculpture, photography and design. The current operation favors projects and meetings; contact the gallery before traveling to find out the presentation location and the works available.
24Works for sale
Ensanche, Moyua & Indautxu
Galería Bay Sala
Licenciado Poza Kalea, 14, 48011 Bilbao
Opened in the early 1970s, Bay Sala is one of Bilbao's oldest private galleries. Its traditional line favors figurative painting, realism and post-impressionism, with works intended for sale and direct advice to collectors.
25
Casco Viejo & Atxuri
Euskal Museoa – Musée Basque
Plaza Miguel de Unamuno, 4, 48006 Bilbao
The Basque Museum maintains collections of ethnography, popular arts, ceramics, textiles and objects which illuminate the visual identity of the territory. As its renovation project may modify access, it is imperative to consult the official website before the visit.
26
Casco Viejo & Atxuri
Eleiz Museoa – Musée d’Art sacré
Plaza de la Encarnacion, 9B, 48006 Bilbao
In the former Convent of the Incarnation, near Atxuri, more than five hundred exhibits cover painting, sculpture, goldsmithing and ornaments from the 12th to the 20th century. The atmosphere of the cloister and the reconstructed workshop of a goldsmith enrich the reading of the works.
27
Ria, Deusto & Otxarkoaga
Otxarkoaga Opengela – ateliers BilbaoArte
Pau Casals Hiribidea, 16, 48004 Bilbao
The BilbaoArte extension in Otxarkoaga provides workspaces for artists. It is not a gallery with permanent hours: favor open days, meetings and announced events to discover current practices in a neighborhood rarely included in traditional circuits.
28
Abandoibarra & Guggenheim
Galerie du Colegio de la Abogacía de Bizkaia
Rampas de Uribitarte, 34, 48001 Bilbao
The Bizkaia Bar Association has an exhibition space that occasionally hosts painting, photography and cultural projects. Its proximity to Uribitarte makes it an easy stop, but access depends on the schedule: check the exhibition announcement before arriving.
No place meets these criteria.
Three realistic itineraries
Choose your route
The icons of Abandoibarra
- Guggenheim at the opening
- Galeria Vanguardia
- CarrerasMugica
- Museum of Fine Arts
Galleries and collectors
- Michel Mejuto
- Juan Manuel Lumbreras
- Sala Rekalde
- Azkuna Zentroa
Bilbao La Vieja creative
- Espacio Marzana
- Aldama Fabre
- SC Gallery
- BilbaoArte
Frequently asked questions
Prepare an artistic visit to Bilbao
Where to buy a work of art in Bilbao?
Listings bearing the “Works for sale” badge indicate verified commercial activity. For remote purchases, also browse theoriginal paintings available.
Which neighborhoods to favor?
Abandoibarra and Ensanche concentrate established museums and galleries. Bilbao La Vieja and San Francisco offer a more experimental circuit, with galleries, workshops and municipal venues.
How to have a work delivered?
Ask the gallery owner for the conditions. Alpha Reproduction offers advice before acquisition, adapted packaging and international delivery for its own collection.
Do you need to book?
Large museums recommend online tickets. For small workshops, one-off rooms and galleries by appointment, always check the official website the same day.
Official sources
Prepare the visit with local institutions
Artistic institutions
Tourism and city
Extend the visit
Bring an original work into your interior
After visiting Bilbao’s galleries, explore theoriginal paintings for sale. Our team advises you before acquisition and organizes suitable packaging as well as international delivery.