Euskalduna Palace (Palacio Euskalduna)

The basics

A symbol of Bilbao’s transition from an industrial port to a cultural hub, the Euskalduna Palace—also known as the Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall—was the second new building in the up-and-coming Abandoibarra area, after Frank Gehry’s neighboring Guggenheim Museum Bilbao was constructed in 1997. Designed by architects Federico Soriano and Dolores Palacios, it is an unmissable presence on the waterfront.

In addition to its regular operatic, symphonic, and theatrical performances, it hosts conferences in its convention center facilities, as well as talks and other cultural events. It also appears on tours of Bilbao’s waterfront.

Things to know before you go

• The Euskalduna Palace is accessible to disabled visitors.

• There is a free cloakroom for visitors attending events and performances.

• The building is home to the award-winning Jauregia restaurant, which also provides catering for its events.

How to Get There

The Euskalduna Palace is in the Abandoibarra neighborhood, in the heart of the city. It’s close to the San Mamés train station (on lines C1 and C2), the San Mamés metro station, and the Euskalduna tram stop (line 5); several bus lines also frequent the area. Paid parking spaces are available on-site for those planning to drive.

When to get there

The Euskalduna Palace’s hours depend on its programming. Its ticket office is open from Tuesday to Friday, for several hours from the early evening onwards (on days performances are held, it also opens for several hours from midday). Doors typically open 45 minutes before a show is about to begin. Check the venue’s calendar before visiting to see what’s on.

Abandoibarra highlights

Once powering Bilbao’s gritty shipbuilding industry, today the Abandoibarra neighborhood has been reborn as a worldwide destination for arts and culture. In addition to the Euskalduna Palace, the area is home to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the Itsasmuseum (dedicated to Basque maritime history), the Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao, and the San Mamés stadium.