Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Bilbao

10 and a half years ago, I went to the Guggenheim in New York and was underwhelmed to say the least. I know most people like it but to me it just didn't measure up to the Met, the MOMA or the Frick. I didn't come to Bilbao for the Guggenheim as some people might...I came because Easyjet wanted me to, tempting me with cheap returns from Manchester. But since the gallery is pretty much the icon of the city, I decided to give it another shot. Located on the banks of the Río Nervión, the Guggenheim was built in 1997 in what is now recognised as a successful attempt to regenerate the city, though ... more

The Guggenheim Museum is an absolutely fantastic building. If you like architecture, it will fascinate you. I could spend hours just looking at it as, depending on the light, it looks so different. It really is beautiful. It's had such a huge impact on the way Bilbao is perceived and perceives itself, it really has given them their confidence back. The city has cleaned up its act, and has opened up to the world. The only problem with this museum is that the content doesn't always match the exterior. It's very hit and miss, sometimes fascinating, sometimes a waste of time: from Armani fashion ... more