Museo Marítimo Ría de Bilbao

Overview

Situated on the former Euskalduna shipyard, the Museo Marítimo Ría de Bilbao tells the story of Bilbao's deep connection with the sea and the Nervión estuary. Indoor and outdoor exhibits cover shipbuilding, trade, and the city's evolution from a medieval port to a modern metropolis.

Highlights

• Outdoor Dry Docks: Original shipbuilding infrastructure with restored vessels and cranes.
• Interactive Exhibits: Hands-on displays about navigation, tides, and cargo logistics.
• Scale Models: Detailed replicas of vessels built in Bilbao's shipyards over the centuries.

History

The museum opened in 2003 on the site of the Astilleros Euskalduna shipyard, which closed in 1984. The redevelopment preserved the original dry docks as part of the exhibit, blending industrial heritage with modern museum design.

Visitor Tips

• Start with the outdoor exhibits to understand the shipyard context before heading inside.
• Combined tickets with Itsasmuseum are available for a discount.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.