The Guggenheim Bilbao in 2 hours: the essential route
Quick answer
In 2 hours you can see the Guggenheim Bilbao like this: 20 minutes outside (Puppy, Maman, Tulips and facade), 15 in the atrium, 30 in Serra's The Matter of Time, 40 in the collection and the temporary exhibition that interests you most, and 15 on the terrace and in the shop.
Hours and prices checked on · Official website
Point your camera at any artwork
Try it free at Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
AnyArt recognizes paintings, sculptures and monuments and tells you their story in seconds, like a personal audio guide. Free for iPhone, iPad and Android.
The route: 6 stops in 2 hours
Temporary exhibitions change and so do the open galleries; pick up a floor plan at the entrance. Timings are approximate and include walking.
- 1
0:00 · Forecourt and riverside
Gehry's exterior: Puppy, Maman and the Tulips
Walk around the building before going in. Puppy (Jeff Koons) is a 12-metre terrier covered in living flowers; Maman (Louise Bourgeois), a monumental spider, watches the river side. Notice how the titanium reflections shift.
- 2
0:20 · Atrium · ground floor
The atrium
Step in and look up: around 50 metres of curved space, suspended walkways and glass lifts. It's the best way to understand Gehry's architecture.
- 3
0:35 · Ground floor · 130-metre gallery
The Matter of Time (Richard Serra)
A permanent installation of huge Corten-steel spirals and ellipses you can walk through. Slow down and listen to how the sound changes. Give it 25 minutes.
- 4
1:05 · Floors 1 and 2
Collection and temporary exhibition
Choose one temporary show and one collection gallery. The museum gathers postwar and contemporary art, from the New York School to pop and minimalism. Don't try to see everything.
- 5
1:40 · Terraces
Terraces and river views
Step out onto the terraces to see the La Salve bridge, with Daniel Buren's red arch, and the Nervión skyline.
- 6
1:50 · Entrance
Shop and wrap-up
Finish at the museum shop or the plaza, with time for a last photo of Puppy.
Tips to make the most of it
- Enter at 10am: the first hour is the quietest in the Serra installation.
- On rainy days the atrium and galleries are a perfect refuge; the outdoor sculptures take 10 minutes.
- Point the AnyArt camera at any work not on this list to hear its story.
- With more time, add the Fine Arts Museum with the €16 combined ticket.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the Guggenheim Bilbao in 2 hours?
Yes. In 2 hours you see the exterior, the atrium, the Serra installation and an exhibition. Seeing every floor and a full exhibition takes longer.
What about 1 hour?
Give 15 minutes to the exterior, 20 to The Matter of Time and 25 to a single temporary exhibition. A quick but worthwhile visit.
What can you see free at the Guggenheim Bilbao?
All of the exterior: Puppy, Maman, the Tulips, the fire fountain and the titanium facade, without a ticket.
Is the audio guide worth it?
It's included in the ticket. If you prefer another option, the AnyArt app recognises works and the facade with your camera and tells their story.