Bilbao was one of the ports on our Celebrity Apex cruise to Spain, Portugal, and France. My husband really wanted to see the Guggenheim, so we booked Celebrity’s Bilbao shore excursion that included the museum. Our girls are 8 and 11.
It was a nice day in a truly beautiful city. But we’re not art people, and I came away wishing we had saved time for pintxos.
Our Bilbao Port Day at a Glance
- Date: July 29
- Ship hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Excursion: Destination Highlight: Bilbao and Guggenheim Museum, booked through Celebrity
- Start time: 10:00 a.m., about 5 hours
- Cost: $609.96 total for 2 adults and 2 kids
- Weather: hot, in the 80s
Why We Booked a Bilbao Shore Excursion Through Celebrity
We didn’t know the city or the country, and we wanted to see the Guggenheim. We figured the safest way to explore was to book through Celebrity. That way, we knew we’d get back to the ship on time without any issues. And we did.
Bilbao Cruise Port: Getting From Getxo to Bilbao
Cruise ships don’t actually dock in Bilbao. They dock in Getxo, outside the city. Our excursion bus picked us up at the ship and drove us into downtown Bilbao. The ride took about 35 to 40 minutes. I think it’s usually closer to 30, but there was a lot of traffic that day.
At the end of the tour, the bus dropped us right back at the ship. That’s a nice perk of booking through the cruise line, because we didn’t have to worry about shuttles at all. Celebrity does run a shuttle into town if you’re exploring on your own, but we didn’t need it.
What Our Bilbao Shore Excursion Included
An Air-Conditioned Bus Into Downtown Bilbao
First, the tour started with that air-conditioned bus ride into downtown Bilbao. We parked and walked around while our guide gave us a quick walking tour of the area, which was nice.
Bilbao is a beautiful city. Truly beautiful. I also felt safe walking around.
A Quick Stop at the La Ribera Market
Next, our guide took us to the Erriberako Merkatua, also called the La Ribera Market, for a bathroom break and a chance to grab snacks or pintxos. It was nice to see the indoor market. However, it stunk like crazy. I guess the smell of fish, 90-degree heat, and no air conditioning don’t really mix.
After that, we had just enough time to use the restroom and grab an espresso before getting back on the bus for the Guggenheim.
About an Hour and a Half at the Guggenheim
Then, at the Guggenheim, we had about an hour and a half to walk around the museum on our own. Our tickets were bought for us ahead of time, so we didn’t have to wait in line or deal with getting tickets.
There was an audio tour, but we didn’t have earphones and couldn’t get it to work on our phones. So we just walked around at our own pace, which was nice.
Is the Guggenheim Bilbao Worth It?
In my opinion, it depends on how much you love art. We’re not very into art, and we don’t know much about it. I’m sure an art lover would appreciate the museum a lot more than we did. We mostly booked this Bilbao shore excursion because the Guggenheim is so famous.
No exhibit really stood out to me, and I think my kids felt the same. I don’t think they’d remember much of what they saw inside. I don’t know how much an 8-year-old and an 11-year-old can appreciate modern art. We went, and I don’t feel like I need to go inside again.
Still, the building is stunning. If you’re from LA like we are, you’ll see the similarities to the Walt Disney Concert Hall downtown. That’s because Frank Gehry designed both. Closer to home, you can also eat inside a Gehry building in Santa Monica, which I wrote about in our guide to Edgemar. You can find hours and current exhibitions on the Guggenheim Bilbao website.
Also, one funny thing happened there. We ran into friends from back home in LA at the Guggenheim. What are the chances? Because of that, the kids got to hang out together, which made the museum a lot more fun for them.
The Famous Sculptures We Missed
The one thing I really regret is that I didn’t see the famous sculptures outside the museum, like Puppy, Jeff Koons’s giant dog covered in flowers, and Maman, Louise Bourgeois’s giant spider. I wish I had done some research before we went so I’d have known to look for them. Now I kind of feel like I missed out. If you go, save a few minutes to walk around the outside of the building.
Is the Guggenheim Good for Kids?
It’s something you can do with kids. You only need about an hour and a half, and there are lots of different things to look at to keep them entertained.
That said, I do think age matters. Our girls are 8 and 11, and at that age they can walk around for five hours and be entertained by new things. If our kids had been any younger, I don’t think this Bilbao shore excursion would have been as nice.
The Pintxos We Didn’t Eat
Bilbao is famous for pintxos, the small Basque bites. Unfortunately, we didn’t eat any, and I wish we had. Between the walking tour, the market stop, and the museum, we only had time for a quick espresso.
If you’re a food and wine person like me, plan your day around pintxos. You won’t get much time for them on a Bilbao shore excursion built around the Guggenheim.
What to Know Before Your Bilbao Shore Excursion
It was hot, in the 80s, and also pretty crowded. So bring your neck fan or a handheld fan. The bus was air-conditioned, but the market and the walking parts were not.
There’s a lot to do in Bilbao, so do your research and pick what fits your family best. If you’re into art, you have to go to the Guggenheim. If you’re into food and wine, there are lots of cool things to try. You’ll find something for everyone in that city.
Would We Book Another Bilbao Shore Excursion?
Yes. In fact, Bilbao is a beautiful city, and I would definitely return. Next time, I’d pick a different Bilbao shore excursion, since I don’t feel the need to go back inside the Guggenheim. I want to see San Sebastián because it looks beautiful.
It would be an all-day excursion, but it’s something I feel like I should experience at least once in my life. Our friends we ran into at the Guggenheim had just spent a few days in San Sebastián, and they said their kids really enjoyed it.
Overall, the tour was fine. It was nice, and it got us back to the ship on time, which is exactly what we hoped for.
Bilbao Shore Excursion: Quick Answers
Where does the cruise ship dock for Bilbao?
In Getxo, about 30 to 40 minutes from downtown Bilbao by bus, depending on traffic.
How much was the Celebrity Bilbao shore excursion?
We paid $609.96 total for two adults and two kids.
How long do you get inside the Guggenheim?
About an hour and a half on our tour, with tickets included.
Is the Guggenheim Bilbao worth it with kids?
It’s doable with kids around 8 and older. Ours enjoyed walking around, but they won’t remember much of the art.
Do you get time for pintxos on a Bilbao shore excursion?
Not really. We only had time for an espresso at the La Ribera Market.
More Frank Gehry on the Blog
Loved the Guggenheim building? Gehry’s work is all over LA, too:
- The Gehry-est Place on Earth: A Survival Guide to Edgemar
- Gladstones Malibu: Is It Still Worth a Visit? (before its planned Gehry-designed rebuild)
More From Our Europe Trip
This post is part of our series on our summer trip to London and our Celebrity Apex cruise to Spain, Portugal, and France.
London With Kids
- Virgin Atlantic Review: Flying LAX to London With Kids
- London Marriott County Hall Review: A Family Stay by Big Ben
- London With Kids: One Big Thing a Day (Our Easy Itinerary)
- Getting Around London With Kids: The Best Ways, Honestly
- Dining in London With Kids: Our Honest Reviews of 4 Spots
Our Celebrity Apex Cruise
- The Retreat on Celebrity Apex With Kids: Was It Worth It?
- Lisbon Tuk Tuk Tour From a Cruise Ship: Fun, Hot, and Worth It With Kids
- Porto Cruise Port Without an Excursion: Hot Dogs, Vinho Verde, and Shopping With Kids
- Vigo and La Coruña Cruise Ports With Kids: A Walking Tour, Galician Food, and Gelato
- Bilbao Shore Excursion With Kids: The Guggenheim, the Market, and the Pintxos We Missed
- Southampton to Heathrow via Stonehenge: Our Cruise Excursion With Kids
- Le Havre to Paris on a Cruise With Kids: Is the Long Day Worth It?
Planning a cruise? These are already on the blog:
