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Bilbao Inside visit of the Guggenheim museum with guide
· The Spain Office will have given you a voucher/print-out for your Guggenheim visit.
· An audio explanation can now be downloaded via mobile phone using the QR code available in the entrance.
· If you are doing a custom itinerary, check your vouchers to ensure you don’t have a guide for the museum. If you do, call or text at least 24 hours beforehand to confirm rendezvous time with the guide.
· Photos can be taken without flash in the museum.
· Tell your group to leave unnecessary backpacks in the bus. Otherwise they will have to be checked in the lobby.
· The Guggenheim museum does not open until 10:00.
· The coach drop off point is behind the museum next to the tramlines in the tunnel.
· The timing is a suggestion only – check your voucher and plan your visit accordingly
· If you have a guide, please make sure everyone in your group has their whispers sets before heading out on sightseeing ( and that you have the microphone/s for the local guide)
Procedure
09:45 Depart San Sebastian on A8. Bilbao is approximately 1¼ hours away.
11:00 Arrive at Guggenheim in Bilbao. Arrange a rendezvous with the driver for 3 hours later.
14:00 Depart Bilbao on A8 for San Sebastian
The coach will drop you off at the lower level by the tramlines. The group entrance to the museum is on the same level. Cross the tramlines and walk ahead with the park/café on your left and museum on your right.
You will either enter through the main entrance where the floral puppy is located
or on the waterside entrance. Upon arrival give the group time for a bathroom break (downstairs from the main lobby) while you let museum staff know you have arrived and organize the audio guides.
Arrange a meeting time in the lobby before handing out audio guides.
At the rendezvous, give out the tickets and set a final meeting time and place (see map below for suggested place on lower level). Walk down the right-hand set of stairs into the main entrance (if you already have the group tickets, you can enter through the main entrance – you don’t have to go back around to the group entrance).
The visit inside the museum lasts about 2 hours depending on the group’s interest levels. The gift shop and toilets are on the lower level near the group entrance.
After the museum visit, meet your group in the lobby and walk them to the floral puppy exit. From there give them ideas for lunch places (there is a café/restaurant that does really good, reasonably priced food) in the museum. There also numerous places along Calle Iparraguirre – the street just in front of you when you back is to the museum. Regroup after lunch and return to the coach.
MAP of the Guggenheim museum
(1) Coach drop-off / collection point
(2) Group Entrance
(3) Main Entrance
(4) Jeff Koons’ Puppy
(5) Stone wall/seating next to park. Suggested final meeting point to return to coach – weather permitting!
(6) River
Stairs
