We are finalizing the itinerary for our first family Europe trip. Anyone who has been there care to comment---is the Bilbao Guggenheim it worth the visit? Otherwise we would head on to Madrid and Barcelona.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
The building itself is very interesting (I love how their website describes the architect, Frank Gehry, as a "North American" architect...anything to get the word "American" in there!) However, the collection itself didn't inspire me....20th century works..."abstract expressionism," "nonobjective" art...which isn't my cup of tea. Bilbao itself is unimpressive. I happened to be on my way to San Sebastian across northern Spain, and had an afternoon to stop in. But I wouldn't have gone out of my way.
Posted by
Atlanta
3250 posts
Our experience is the same as Norm's--we were traveling in northern Spain and it was a good stopping point for an afternoon. The building is amazing but the collection at that time didn't "wow" us. I'm really happy that we visited the museum but if you're going out of your way to see it I think that you could save it for a future trip.
Also, I'd check their website to see if the current exhibit is of interest to any of your family members!
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
The thing about the Bilbao Guggenheim, if you are interested in photography, is that it is highly photogenic. I couldn't stop taking pictures of it, from this angle and that angle and from across the river. The sinuous curves and the shiny material (titanium?) reward you with beautiful photos.
Posted by
Tucson
4156 posts
We will be going this year especially to see the building. The architecture is actually the most important thing for us and we want to experience it. If the exhibitions are contemporary, all the better for us. They might even entice us inside!