The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a landmark of contemporary architecture and a cultural beacon for the city. Designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, the museum's fluid, sculptural form has been hailed as one of the most significant architectural achievements of the 20th century. Its titanium-clad curves and organic shapes have transformed the Bilbao skyline and are often likened to a ship or flower. Beyond its jaw-dropping exterior, the museum houses a world-class collection of modern and contemporary art, focusing on postwar American and European artists. Notable works include pieces by Mark Rothko, Jeff Koons, and Louise Bourgeois, among others.

Commonly known as the garrison church, this Neo-Byzantine-style building was designed and built by order of Russian Tsar Alexander III in the late 19th century. Located at the eastern end of the main pedestrian street Laisves aleja, it is one of the most impressive landmarks of the city, and a lot more than a Roman Catholic church: the catacombs underneath are home to the Museum for the Blind, where there is not much to see—but a lot to experience!

A private mansion with a nice garden turned into a museum, a place where you can admire works from Turkish artists created between 1850 and 1950. There are also excellent collections of calligraphy, religious and state documents, classical Turkish furniture as well as paintings of the Ottoman era. The museum is beautifully located on a hilltop, overlooking the Bosphorus.

The first museum in Turkey dedicated to the history of transport. The collection contains full size ships, aircrafts, trains and cars. This is a great place to explore and learn something new for both children and adults.