One of life’s great pleasures is visiting a museum, and countless numbers choose to do this daily for an opportunity to learn and add to their experiences. Its popularity has been evidenced by the nigh-on half a million people who visited the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao between June and August 2023.
Summer 2023 has created a special footnote in the history of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao as it has recorded its best-ever summer visitor numbers since its opening, which has exceeded all expectations.
The number of visitors to the Museum in June, July, and August totalled 489,946, 40,469 more than in summer 2022—when the exhibition Motion. Autos, Art, Architecture, then on view, attracted numerous people to the Museum.
The astonishing number was also 44,799 more than in 2018, the next best summer in the history of the Museum. These 2023 record figures confirm the excellent condition of the Museum and its increasing appeal.
In June, 106,418 visitors enjoyed the Museum exhibitions (305 more than in 2022), 165,418 in July (17,488 more than in 2022), and 218,087 in August (22,676 more than in 2022).
As to the visitor geographic origin this summer, 68% came from abroad (3% more than in 2022), with France amounting to 17%, followed by Italy, Germany, and The Netherlands (7% each), and the UK (6%).
The busiest day during these three months was Wednesday, August 16, which saw 8,949 visitors entering its doors.
The total accumulated number of Museum visitors in 2023 now stands at 898,513, 15% over 2022 and 7% more than in 2018.
One of the main reasons for this success has undoubtedly been the Museum’s appealing special exhibitions, such as Oskar Kokoschka. A Rebel from Vienna, sponsored by the BBVA Foundation (through September 3); Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. No Twilight Too Mighty (through September 10); or Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now, sponsored by Iberdrola (through October 8).
To learn more about what the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao has to offer, visit its website at https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/.
Opening image of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao ©FMGB Guggenheim Bilbao Museoa Bilbao, 2023. Foto: Erika Ede
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