Boat tour to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

Boat trip to the Guggenheim Museum, an incredible crossing of the Bilbao estuary.

The boat route to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is one of the latest maritime experiences that has seen the light in Euskadi. A pleasant, quiet and attractive boat ride, which encourages us to discover some of the secrets of Greater Bilbao. Sailing to the Guggenheim Museum has become one of the most striking boat trips of our times. No wonder. Even more so, when this maritime route includes a strategic stop at the only terrace we find on the waters of the estuary, El Cargadero de Bilbao.You should know that Frank Gerhy, architect of the museum, designed the Guggenheim as the last great ship docked at the docks of Bilbao. A nice nod to the naval tradition of Bilbao and Euskadi that many people are unaware of. But this is not the only wink that the Canadian architect made to our history and culture. We recommend you to keep reading to know in depth all the details surrounding this boat trip to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

During the journey we will have the opportunity to contemplate the changing scenarios that are crowded on both banks of the estuary of Bilbao. The large villas of Getxo, the houses where the metal and shipbuilding entrepreneurs lived, contrast with the urban centers of Portugalete and Santurtzi, towns where the working class has been more important throughout history. But these are not the only spaces that will call our attention during this route, the large cranes, witnesses of the industrial boom of that gray Bilbao, also contrast with the avant-garde buildings of the new Bilbao. As you can see, touring the Bilbao estuary allows us to take a trip back in time to learn about the history of Bizkaia and its capital. Do you dare to book your boat trip to the Guggenheim Museum with us?

Boat tour to the Guggenheim Museum.

This boat route departs from Getxo Marina, a starting point that offers a pleasant boat ride to reach our destination. A journey of about 2 hours and 30 minutes, in which we will go up the estuary of Bilbao knowing much of the Gran Bilbao. We are sure you will be surprised. After leaving behind the Getxo Marina and the Abra Bay, we will enter the estuary, getting a unique view of the Bizkaia Bridge, the suspension bridge that connects the towns of Getxo and Portugalete. A huge metal structure, which will remind us of the great industrial legacy of this historic territory.We follow the riverbed of the estuary while discovering places that few people visit during their trip to Bilbao. An example of this is the great shipbuilding industry of Bizkaia that we find on the left bank of the estuary, a sector nowadays in decline. In any case, the large cranes that we find on our walk remind us of the activity that not long ago occupied much of the two banks.After leaving behind the industry, the landscape changes again, we return to find residential areas. The island of Zorrozaurre, which for years was one of the forgotten areas of Bilbao, stands out. Companies and universities struggle today to find a space to establish their headquarters in this particular Manhattan of Bilbao. Undoubtedly the last great reconstruction project of the new Bilbao. In front of this island we find the colorful houses of Olabeaga, the terrace El Cargadero and the great San Mames, Athletic Club de Bilbao’s soccer stadium.After leaving behind emblematic spaces such as the Euskalduna Bridge, the Tiger building or the Iberdrola Tower we arrive at our destination, the imposing Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.After the obligatory stop to photograph one of the most striking buildings of the last centuries, we head back to Getxo, but not before making a strategic stop at El Cargadero de Bilbao to enjoy its impressive terrace. A final colophon that puts the finishing touch to this maritime experience in Bilbao.You should know that the boat trip to the Guggenheim Museum that we present today has a maximum capacity of 7 people. A fact that makes this boat tour an experience for a small group of people. A detail to take into account. Remember that there is also the possibility of booking the whole boat to enjoy the Guggenheim Museum from the intimacy of a group of friends, family or business partners.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

The protagonist of the maritime route that we present today, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, has become on its own merits one of the most striking museum spaces in the Basque Country. A museum that has become an icon of the new Bilbao. An emblem of the capital of Bizkaia. And is that the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao has works of art by some of the most important artists of the late twentieth century. Examples are Eduardo Chillida, Yves Klein or Willem de Kooning.But although the interior of the Guggenheim Museum has many renowned works, we must remember that around it, on the outside, we also find great pieces of art that have become real jewels of Bilbao. A clear example of this is Puppy, by Jeff Koons (the mascot of Bilbao) or Mama, by Louise Bourgeois, the huge spider that we find between the estuary and the museum. These pieces have come to have more importance than the works of art that we find inside the museum itself, curious isn’t it? Most of you know the Guggenheim Museum from photos, videos or other media, but did you know that the building designed by Frank Gerhy emulates a ship moored in the estuary of Bilbao? Did you know that the curious white tower that is part of the Guggenheim and is located on the other side of the La Salve Bridge emulates the tail of a whale? There are many little details that you do not know, in this sense, this route can be a great opportunity to know them.We should mention that, although the route takes us to the Guggenheim Museum itself, the museum does not have a dock where you can dock, so we can not get off the boat. That is, you cannot visit the interior of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

Getxo Marina.

The Getxo Marina, one of the most important harbors of the Basque coast, is the home of the companies that carry out this route. These Getxo companies offer yacht and sailboat routes along the Basque coast. And although in this case the boat route to the Guggenheim Museum is usually done in a motor boat, you should know that there is the possibility of sailing with the force of the wind. A sensation that we recommend you to feel in first person. It is here, in the Getxo Marina, where most of the nautical activities companies in Bizkaia are located. A space full of life from where this maritime route departs to visit the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao.

El Cargadero, the terrace of Bilbao.

El Cargadero, the only existing terrace on the estuary of Bilbao, surprises us with one of the most striking spaces of the capital of Bizkaia. A terrace with its own pontoon, which allows us to moor the boat and enjoy its terrace overlooking the estuary. In this sense, we must indicate that the boat route to the Guggenheim Museum that we present today includes a stop along the way in this establishment. A small detail that we are sure you will love.

Sailing routes on the coast of Biscay.

If you want to change the motor boat for a sailboat, know that it is possible. However, not to go up the estuary, since the different bridges that we find on the way prevent us from sailing a sailboat beyond the Euskalduna Bridge. In any case, if your dream is to sail a sailboat along the Basque coast, know that it is possible. Moreover, for boat lovers there is also the possibility of sailing in a catamaran along the Basque coast. In case you are interested in this kind of sea crossings, we suggest you to use our contact form so that we can help you to design the sea route you have in mind.

Personalized boat trips.

On the Basque coast we have different types of boats that allow us to customize the boat route to the maximum for all the people who visit us. Whether large groups, schools, families, couples or solo travelers. There is a large number of boats and scenarios to choose from. That is why we encourage you to contact us so that we can help you plan what will undoubtedly be one of the best boat trips along the Basque coast.

What to see in Getxo and surroundings.

Getxo, one of the most attractive destinations in the Basque Country, encourages us to enjoy its thousand and one charms. A town that combines tradition and avant-garde throughout its coastal strip. And to be able to enjoy such picturesque and emblematic spaces as the Old Port of Algorta or the Bizkaia Bridge is a real luxury. We recommend you to read our article Getxo, what to see and do. We are sure that you will find everything you need to know in depth this fantastic urban center. Anyway, we leave you a small appetizer of the attractions that we can find in Getxo and surroundings.

Video boat tour to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

As usual, we wanted to accompany the words and pictures of this boat trip to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao with a short video. In case you like it, we encourage you to subscribe to our YouTube channel. We are sure that among all our videos you will find places that catch your attention. Maybe your next destination.

The boat route to the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao is a great option for all those people who want to know much of Bilbao from its estuary. A sheet of water that allows us to know the past, present and future of the capital of Bizkaia in total comfort. Undoubtedly a great family plan. Ondo pasa!