Reader recommendation: Bilbao Fine Arts Museum in Spain

SPAIN

I recently returned from Bilbao, where the main attraction is, of course, the Guggenheim. I think most travelers would agree that they come to see the Gehry building rather than the art collection. However, just down the street is the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, which has a fabulous permanent collection of renowned artists such as El Greco, Zurburán, Goya, Gauguin, Cassatt, etc. When I was there, it had mounted a temporary exhibition (through Aug. 31) of Parisian fashion of the 1950s, placing pieces in the permanent galleries as a complement to the clothing in the paintings, which was very cleverly done. By all means, go see the Guggenheim, but the traveler who really likes art should save some hours for a visit to the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao.

Museum of Fine Arts, 2 Museo Plaza, www.museobilbao.com/in. Open 10 a.m to 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Mondays.

Diana Britt

Pasadena