Bilbao has become quite famous in Spain, even globally, for its drastic change from an industrial city to a center of modern art and architecture. The city's transformation was marked by the establishment of the Guggenheim Museum, a futuristic architectural icon designed by Frank Gehry. Aside from being a place to house contemporary artworks, the futuristic design of the museum is an attraction in itself.

In terms of history, in the 14th century, the city was known as an important sea trade city due to its location on the northern coast of Spain. Then in the 19th century, the city became an industrial center. There is also the Old Town or Casco Viejo area that showcases Bilbao's side with classic architecture and traditional Spanish city life.

Visiting Bilbao in 3-4 days is the perfect amount of time to see the city in its entirety. Start your first day with a visit to the city's iconic Guggenheim Museum. Then, you can continue your trip with a stroll through Casco Viejo, Bilbao's Old Town, which offers a traditional atmosphere and unique shops.

On the second day, you can visit Santiago Cathedral with its magnificent Gothic architecture. Afterward, you can enjoy some light Bilbao-style snacks around Plaza Nueva. The third day can be spent strolling along the riverside and enjoying the beauty of other modern architecture, such as the Zubizuri Bridge and Euskalduna Palace.

To visit Bilbao from Madrid or vice versa, the Cercanias train option is the most efficient and convenient. With a journey duration of 4 hours, you can enjoy interesting views of the city and natural landscapes along the route.

For train ticket prices from Bilbao to Madrid, the price range can vary depending on the type of seat and class option chosen. In general, Cercanías train tickets cost in the range of 50 to 100 euros, depending on the departure time and class you choose.

Beyond culture and history, the city also boasts world-class cuisine and Michelin-starred restaurants. To enjoy the delicious cuisine of Spain, you can visit Plaza Nueva.

One of the must-try dishes is pintxos, a small dish served on a slice of bread with a variety of variants such as olives stuffed with anchovies to delicious pieces of grilled meat. Aside from pintxos, there's also Bacalao a la Vizcaína, a specialty dish with dried fish cooked in a spicy tomato sauce rich in spices.

If you want to shop for fresh produce, then you can visit La Ribera Market. With so many activities and places to visit, Bilbao is worth adding to your next vacation list!

Besides the iconic Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao has various other famous tourist attractions. One of them is the Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao, which is suitable for art lovers. Here, you can find works by famous artists such as El Greco, Goya, and Picasso. For sports fans, you can visit the San Mames soccer stadium and the San Mames Museum.

If you want to get a taste of the city's local life, you can visit the Erribera Merkatua or Bilbao's Great Market. Here, you can sample typical dishes and shop for fresh and unique products from local vendors. Or visit Vizcaya Bridge, where you can see the city from the riverbank. Don't forget to take a ride on the gondola!

Azkuna Zentroa, a former wine cellar turned modern arts and culture center, is a great place to visit. It consists of an art exhibition space, a movie theater, and a rooftop swimming pool. These places will make your Bilbao vacation experience complete!