Museum · Bilbao, Basque Country

Itsasmuseum Bilbao

Maritime museum of the ria of Bilbao located at the former Euskalduna shipyard, featuring the dry dock, the Carola crane and historic boats displayed outdoors.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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About Itsasmuseum Bilbao

Itsasmuseum Bilbao, the Maritime Museum of the Ria of Bilbao, sits on the site of the former Euskalduna shipyard, which operated from 1900 to 1988 and was once the city’s largest employer. The museum tells the story of the ria, the port, shipbuilding and Bilbao’s relationship with the sea.

Inside there are ship models, navigation instruments, maps, shipyard artifacts and rooms on Basque maritime trade, whaling and Atlantic routes. Temporary exhibitions cover topics such as shipwrecks and migrations.

The outdoor area preserves the old dry dock, where ships were repaired, and period vessels on display. The symbol of the site is the Carola, a red 1957 crane about 60 metres tall, capable of lifting 60 tonnes, preserved as a monument to the industrial past.

Next door are the Palácio Euskalduna, a congress and concert centre shaped like a ship, and the bridge of the same name.

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Before you go

Practical information

Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.

How much time to set aside

From 1 hour to 1.5 hours.

Best time

Morning or afternoon, combined with the Guggenheim —about a 15-minute walk along the ria. It is closed one day a week; check ahead.

How to get there

It is on the left bank of the ria, next to the Palácio Euskalduna and the Euskalduna bridge, about 1 km from the Guggenheim. The tram stops at Euskalduna beside it.

Tip

Walk from the Guggenheim to the museum along the ria’s bank, passing sculptures and gardens. The Carola crane photographs best from the opposite side of the river.

A look at the place