Under Basque Skies
A Total Solar Eclipse UnTour in Northern Spain (2026)Basque Country Solar Eclipse UnTour 2026: Culture, Cuisine & a Rare Celestial Moment
Some trips stay with you for the places you visit. Others for how they make you feel. This one is shaped by both—rooted in the Basque Country and marked by a rare moment that draws eclipse chasers from around the world.
Based in Bilbao, this week-long UnTour unfolds at an unhurried pace in a region where innovation and deep tradition coexist. You’ll settle in, explore northern Spain, and share the growing anticipation of a total solar eclipse, experienced together during your stay.
The Basque Country is unlike anywhere else in Spain. Its ancient language, Euskera, has no known linguistic relatives, and its strong sense of identity is felt in everyday life—from lively markets and fishing villages to music, architecture, and a deep connection to land and sea. Green hills roll into dramatic coastal cliffs, while inland valleys reveal vineyards and medieval towns.
Your days are shaped by experiences that bring this culture to life: a guided pintxos outing in San Sebastián, contemporary art at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and lots of time for coastal exploration, including guided tours of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve and the seaside towns of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and Mundaka. Everything builds naturally toward that fleeting moment when day briefly turns to night.
This is not an astronomy tour, nor is it simply a cultural getaway. It’s a complete Basque experience—enriched by the chance to witness something many eclipse chasers plan years ahead to see—shared, unhurried, and deeply felt.
This trip requires a minimum of four people to operate.
What's included
- Accommodations
7+ nights in a personally selected, centrally located hotel in Bilbao. - Transportation
Guidance on booking international flights from the U.S. to Bilbao, or flight booking arranged by UnTours (see air policies). - Private airport transfers on arrival and departure.
- Private transportation for some of the excursions.
- Unlimited local transportation card (metro, bus, train, and tram) for the full week.
- Special Experiences
Welcome orientation and dinner with your local UnGuide. - Guided pintxos food tour in San Sebastian.
- Guided visit to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Bilbao’s old town.
- Guided visit and wine tasting in a winery in La Rioja region and guided visit to Laguardia.
- Carefully planned total solar eclipse viewing experience in a prime location.
- Farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant in Bilbao.
- Thoughtful Touches & Support
Welcome groceries upon arrival. - Exclusive local recommendations in the UnTours mobile app, vetted by our Basque-based team.
- Personalized pre-trip planning support by phone or email.
- Ongoing in-destination support from your local UnGuide when you need it.
Arrival to Bilbao
Ongi etorri! Welcome to the Basque Country. Your UnTour begins with a smooth arrival in Bilbao or San Sebastián, both easy-to-navigate airports that set the tone for a relaxed start. Upon landing, private transportation will be waiting to take you comfortably to your accommodation in Bilbao.
As you travel through the countryside, you’ll catch your first glimpses of northern Spain’s lush landscapes — green hills, winding waterways, and towns that reflect centuries of history alongside contemporary life. It’s an easy transition into the region’s rhythm and a gentle introduction to the week ahead.
Included Activity: Solar Eclipse Viewing
Yes! This is what you come for! And during your time in the Basque Country, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the total solar eclipse for the total zone.
From a privileged location within the region, chosen for optimal conditions and comfort, you’ll experience this extraordinary phenomenon at its full potential. Shared with your fellow travelers, it’s a powerful and memorable moment — one that adds depth and meaning to the journey, and a story you’ll carry long after you return home. That moment when day briefly turns to night and the natural world seems to hold its breath.
Included activity: Pintxos Experience in San Sebastian
In this activity, you’ll head to San Sebastián, one of Europe’s great culinary capitals. Traveling with your UnGuide, you’ll explore the city’s historic center and coastal setting before diving into one of the Basque Country’s most beloved traditions: pintxos.
Pintxos are small, beautifully crafted bites, enjoyed standing at the bar and shared among friends. With countless bars throughout the city, your UnGuide will lead you to a carefully selected handful, each offering a different expression of Basque creativity — paired with local wine or cider. More than a meal, this experience captures the region’s social spirit: lively, flavorful, and deeply communal.
Included activity: Guided visit to the Guggenheim museum
A symbol of Bilbao’s modern transformation, the Guggenheim Museum is as striking on the outside as it is inspiring within. Designed by Frank Gehry, its flowing titanium curves have made it one of Europe’s most recognizable cultural landmarks.
With an expert local guide, you’ll explore the museum’s architecture and exhibitions, gaining insight into both the art itself and the role the Guggenheim has played in shaping the city. Outside, you’ll meet Puppy, the museum’s iconic floral sculpture — a playful contrast to the building’s bold design and a beloved local character.
Included activity: Visit to La Rioja Wine Region and wine tasting
A day trip inland brings you to La Rioja, Spain’s most celebrated wine region from the comfort of a private transportation and along with your UnGuide. Traveling through vineyard-covered hills and historic villages, you’ll visit a selected winery, which offers a different perspective on Rioja’s winemaking traditions. You’ll be able to enjoy a selection of the winery’s best wines and besides you’ll be able to have a farm to table meal.
On top of that, you will be able to visit the medieval village of Laguardia, one of the most iconic towns of La Rioja, where you will understand better this region while walking through its charming narrow streets and its breathtaking view points.
Optional activity: Guided visit to the Basque coastal towns and Gernika
This is one of the suggestions as an add-on optional experience for one of the days for leisure during the tour. Traveling by private vehicle, you’ll spend a full day exploring the dramatic Basque coastline. Highlights include San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a striking islet rising from the sea, connected by a stone bridge and surrounded by sweeping ocean views.
From there, you’ll continue to Mundaka, a relaxed seaside town set within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Known for its natural beauty and strong ties to the sea, Mundaka offers a slower pace and a chance to appreciate the quieter side of Basque coastal life.
Your day also includes a guided visit to Gernika, a town of profound historical and cultural significance for the Basque people. It was here, in 1937, that the bombing during the Spanish Civil War shocked the world and later inspired Pablo Picasso’s powerful masterpiece Guernica. As you walk through the town, you’ll encounter meaningful sites that keep this history alive — a moving opportunity to connect with the resilience, identity, and enduring spirit of the Basque community.
Optional Add-on experience: Basque cooking lesson
In Bilbao, you’ll step into a welcoming kitchen for a hands-on introduction to Basque home cooking. Guided by a local chef, you’ll learn how traditional dishes come together using seasonal ingredients and time-honored techniques.
As you cook, you’ll also hear the stories behind the recipes — how food reflects family, identity, and place in Basque culture. Once the cooking is done, you’ll sit down together to enjoy the meal you’ve prepared, accompanied by local wine and easy conversation. It’s a warm, engaging experience that brings people together around the table.
Gather for a memorable farewell dinner
As your UnTour draws to a close, you’ll have time to enjoy Bilbao at your own pace, with personalized suggestions from your UnGuide.
In the evening, the group comes together for a farewell dinner — a final opportunity to share stories, reflect on the week, and enjoy one last celebration of Basque cuisine. It’s a warm and fitting conclusion to a journey shaped by culture, connection, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Departure day
After check-out, private transportation will take you to the airport or onward destination, ensuring a smooth and easy departure.
As you leave the Basque Country behind, you’ll take with you memories of shared meals, striking landscapes, meaningful encounters — and the rare experience of witnessing a total solar eclipse in one of Europe’s most distinctive regions.
Available Accommodations
Abba Suites Bilbao City Center Hotel or similar.
Location
Bilbao - The Basque Country
Founded in 1300, Bilbao started as a modest settlement of seven streets, which still form the heart of its atmospheric old quarter. Over centuries, the city has evolved from pastoral farmland into a thriving industrial hub by the 18th century. Its industrial identity held strong for over a century, but as industries waned in the late 20th century, the city took a bold turn.
Determined to reinvent itself, Bilbao embraced art, architecture, and urban renewal. The Guggenheim Museum, unveiled in 1997, marked a pivotal moment in the city’s transformation. This architectural masterpiece not only put Bilbao on the global map but also set the stage for its revival. Today, Bilbao is a beacon of modern urban planning, earning accolades like the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize in 2010—often called the “Nobel Prize for cities”—and being named the Best European City by the Academy of Urbanism in 2018.
This medium-sized city offers plenty to explore, from the rolling green mountains that cradle it to the inviting walkways along the estuary. Stroll through its historic streets, soak up the blend of old and new architecture, and savour some of the Basque Country’s most celebrated dishes at every turn.
Reviews
Here's what our guests have to say
Patricia Jane Mckenzie
I learned a lot about the Basque culture. Bilbao is a wonderful city and Jon was the best guide ever.
Janet Farrell
After a thorough orientation with Jon, there were so many possibilities for exploration, many using the Vamoos app. Our transportation card gave us access to all the places we wanted to explore. The apartment was well located near the Guggenheim museum and within walking distance of the metro, buses and tram. A trip to San Sebastián was a delight with the pintxo tour and the beautiful beach. The most memorable outing for me was the trip to Guernica and the Peace Museum learning about the terrible targeted bombing of the town in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. The story was told in graphic detail and firsthand accounts which was very moving. The resolve of the survivors to work for peace is inspiring. Being able to easily plan what we wanted to experience and when is an important asset of UnTours, providing much more flexibility than planned group travel programs. UnTours has found a way to offer an array of offerings without being overwhelming and the assurance of assistance as needed. Jon is an integral part of making the Bilbao UnTour exceptional. "What did you like best?": Jon’s expertise in every area. The philosophy and positive impact of the UnTours Foundation.
Jeanne Archuleta
Wonderful trip! Great location of the apartment and our Unguide Jon was marvelous!
Brenda Black
It was a great trip! The Peace Museum in Guernika is a must see!
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Aug 8, 2026 to Aug 15, 2026
Program Director
I greatly enjoy the diversity of my responsibilities at Untours, the company's values, and the opportunity to connect with people from other cultures.




























