Emerging from the placid waters just like the nearby National Museum, the National Theatre is one of the biggest theatres in the Arab world. It hosts performances by some of the foremost artists in the world, ranging from classical music and ballet to contemporary shows. The impressive architectural achievement owns much to local tradition with the wooden interiors and the 1,001 seats inspired by the world-famous Arabic tales.

Housed in the former Convent of La Encarnación, founded in 1514 by Dominican nuns, the Museum of Sacred Art of Bilbao is the first women's convent in the city. It showcases a rich collection of over 2,000 religious artworks dating from the 12th to the 20th century, many originating from local churches and monasteries in Bizkaia. The exhibits are divided into three main sections: sculptures and paintings, gold and silver works, and liturgical garments and ornaments. Highlights include intricate silverware, devotional sculptures, and beautifully embroidered vestments.

Once a wine warehouse, Azkuna Zentroa is now one of Bilbao’s main cultural spaces. Inside you’ll find cinemas, galleries, a library, a gym, and even a rooftop swimming pool with a glass floor you can look up through from the atrium below. Philippe Starck, a French industrial architect, redesigned the building, adding 43 columns, each with a unique style, and open spaces that make the building an attraction in its own right. The venue’s programme ranges from art exhibitions and talks to film screenings and concerts.