Things to do in Areatza

The Guggenheim Museum is a remarkable ensemble of curves and daring forms covered in gleaming titanium panels. It helped to transform Bilbao from a grimy industrial heartland into an exciting cultural destination. Embark on a self-guided tour of this contemporary art museum to view its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.

Watch national and international soccer games at San Mames Stadium, a 53,000-seat arena that is the home of Athletic Bilbao. This team was founded in 1898 and is a big name in European soccer. The venue also has a museum devoted to the club’s history and is occasionally used for concerts.

Plaza Nueva is a mid 19th-century neoclassical square in the heart of Bilbao's old quarter. This vast plaza is framed by columns and arches and lined with inviting bars and restaurants. Such is its popularity that it is also known as the true agora, or public place of the old town. Enjoy the architecture and dine on local specialties.

Ribera Market is one of the biggest covered markets in Europe, a vast shopping space in the heart of Bilbao's old town. The origins of the market lie in the 14th century but the building you see today is an art deco construction from 1929. Explore three floors of stalls that are filled with a rich variety of foods including meats, cheeses, shellfish, fruit and fungi.

The Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall is a vast multipurpose venue hosting conferences, meetings and shows, including the city's opera season. It is also the home of the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra. This stunning-looking modern building, which resembles a ship under construction, sits on the banks of the Nervión River on the site of the former Euskalduna shipyard. .

Plaza Moyua is a large public square in the central neighborhood of Abando, an attractive space with English- and French-style flower beds. Although a traffic circle, it is a popular meeting place that is also known as the Elliptical Square for its shape. The plaza was designed in the 1940s by architect Jose Luis Salinas and was rebuilt in 1997 following the construction of the city's metro system.