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Guggenheim Bilbao tickets are the first thing to sort out before you visit Frank Gehry’s titanium landmark on the Nervión river. This guide covers how to buy tickets, what they cost, opening hours, the best time to go, what is on in 2026 and the outdoor sculptures you can see for free, plus a nearby hotel. It sits alongside our Bilbao travel guide.
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Guggenheim Bilbao tickets at a glance
How to buy tickets
The simplest way is to buy a timed ticket on the museum’s official website, guggenheim-bilbao.eus, which links to its ticket shop. The museum itself advises buying only from its own site to avoid inflated prices and ticket fraud, and says tickets already issued are not refunded, so choose your date carefully.
- Book ahead in busy periods. Summer, Easter week, weekends, rainy days and the last day of an exhibition are the busiest, so reserve a day or two earlier for these.
- Pick a time slot. Entry is by time, so arrive at your slot rather than hoping to walk straight in at peak hours.
- Audio guide. The museum states that all tickets include the audio guide, so there is nothing extra to add.
- Want a guide instead? See the guided tours section below for a tour that includes a local expert.
Bilbao Guggenheim Museum Entry Ticket
Prefer to book through Viator? Check current availability and prices for a Guggenheim Museum entry ticket.
View ticket on ViatorPrices and who pays less
Prices change with the exhibitions on view. Recent full-price adult tickets have been reported at roughly €12 to €18, with reduced rates for students aged 18 to 25, over-65s and visitors with a disability, and free entry for under-18s (who still need a ticket). A combined ticket with the Museo de Bellas Artes has also been offered at times. Confirm the current price on the official site before you book.
Opening hours
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| Tuesday to Sunday | 10 am to 7 pm |
| Summer and Easter week | Open until 8 pm |
| Mondays | Closed, apart from some listed dates |
| 24 and 31 December | Closes at 5 pm |
| 25 December and 1 January | Closed |
The museum lists specific Mondays when it opens, mostly in summer, so check its calendar if you are planning around a Monday.
Best time to visit
The museum is quietest early on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, and again in the last couple of hours before closing. It is busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon, especially at weekends and on rainy days. Plan for two to three hours inside, longer if you like reading the wall texts or the exhibitions are large.
The building also rewards a walk around the outside at different times of day, when the titanium changes with the light, so it is worth passing by in the evening even if you visit inside earlier.
What is on in 2026
Exhibitions rotate, so check the official programme for the dates of your trip. At the time of writing, the museum lists:
- Steve McQueen: 66–76–26, 9 October 2026 to 21 February 2027.
- Ever is Over All, Pipilotti Rist, 1 October 2026 to 17 January 2027.
- in situ: Igshaan Adams, Unsettling Dust: The Body’s Archive, until 1 November 2026.
- Works from the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Collection, ongoing, until October 2027.
- Dan Flavin: Some Light, opening 11 November 2026 to 4 April 2027.
What you can see for free
You do not need a ticket to enjoy the setting. The riverside terraces and the plaza around the museum are open to walk through, and several large sculptures stand outside, including Jeff Koons’s floral Puppy and Louise Bourgeois’s giant spider Maman, and Anish Kapoor’s Tall Tree and the Eye. Fujiko Nakaya’s Fog Sculpture drifts under the bridge at set times. It makes a good free first stop even if you have a ticket for later.
Guided tours
If you would rather have the building explained, a guided visit with a local expert covers Gehry’s design, the art outside and the story of how the museum changed the city. Tours are offered in English and other languages; check what is included, such as museum entry, before you book.
Nearby: what to combine
- Riverside walk. Follow the Nervión upstream to the old town, Casco Viejo, in about 25 to 30 minutes.
- Museo de Bellas Artes. The Fine Arts Museum has recently reopened after major works and is a short walk from the Guggenheim.
- Pintxos. Finish with a bar crawl in the old town. See our pintxos in Bilbao guide.
- Coast day trip. Plan a day out to the island chapel with our Gaztelugatxe from Bilbao guide.
Where to stay
For the Guggenheim, the nicest option is a hotel right beside it, so you can visit early before the crowds. Book early for summer weekends and match days.
Alameda de Mazarredo 61, Bilbao. Location rated 9.8/10 by guests (3,384 reviews). Opposite the Guggenheim, with a rooftop breakfast terrace and a spa. Choose a Guggenheim-view room when you book.
Check AvailabilityMore to do: read our full Bilbao travel guide.
FAQ
Where do I buy Guggenheim Bilbao tickets?
Buy them on the museum’s official website, which links to its ticket shop. The museum advises against third-party resellers, which can charge more for the same entry. Tickets are for a time slot and are not refunded once issued.
How much are Guggenheim Bilbao tickets?
Prices change with the exhibitions on view. Full-price adult tickets have recently been reported at roughly €12 to €18, with reduced rates for students, over-65s and visitors with a disability, and free entry for under-18s. Check the official site for today’s price.
Is the Guggenheim Bilbao free on any day?
There is no regular free evening. The museum has offered free entry on an October weekend to mark its anniversary in recent years, so check the official site for any free or discounted days during your visit.
How long do you need at the Guggenheim Bilbao?
Plan on two to three hours inside. Allow extra time if you want to explore the outdoor sculptures and the riverside terraces as well.
Do I need to book in advance?
It is wise in summer, Easter week, at weekends, on rainy days and on the last day of an exhibition, when the museum is busiest. In quieter months you may find slots on the day, but booking ahead is safer.
Is the audio guide included?
Yes. The museum states that all tickets include the audio guide.
Disclosure: Route & Stay may earn a commission if you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices, hours and exhibitions change, so always confirm on the museum’s official website before you go.