Travel through Basque Country & Rioja with a professional astronomer to experience a total eclipse of the sun.
Three nights in Bilbao plus three nights in the village of Santo Domingo de la Calzada along the Camino de Santiago de Compostella to experience the August 12, 2026 solar eclipse.
Spain Solar Eclipse
August 7 — 13, 2026
7 Days & 6 Nights
15 Travelers Max
$6495 per person (double occupancy)
+$2000 single supplement
$1000 deposit reserves each spot
Full balance 180 days before
“A total solar eclipse is one of the awe inspiring, life changing astronomical events that every one must experience at least once in their lifetimes. —Dr. Robert Jedicke, Astronomer, University of Hawaii
“Northern Spain has so much to offer—art, science, architecture, pilgrimage, food, wine—and a stay in a beautifully restored former monastery.” —Jorge Román, Expert Spain Guide & Spanish Loops Podcast
“Join us for an incredible travel experience combining Northern Spain’s history, culture, food & wine, and a total eclipse of the sun.” —Rainer Metzger, Guided By Founder
Highlights
A total eclipse of the sun
(Photo from 2024)
Astronomy Talks with Dr. Robert Jedicke
A well-selected eclipse viewing spot
Dr. Robert Jedicke, PhD, is emeritus faculty at the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy. Rob has 25 years of experience as a planetary astronomer specializing in the discovery and study of asteroids and comets, particularly those that may impact Earth, but he has nearly 50 years of experience sharing the wonders of the universe with the public at star nights around the world, as an invited keynote speaker, and on National Public Radio. In the past few decades he has enjoyed the night sky as he traveled around the world three times on year-long adventures and visited 48 countries. Rob will join us on all our tour activities and will provide special talks about eclipses, how to enjoy them, a star night, and, most importantly, lead us up and through totality on the evening of August 12, 2026, from Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Night sky talks and eclipse presentation
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
Basque pintxos & Rioja wine tasting
Walk along the Camino de Santiago
Itinerary
Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Tour meets at Hotel The Artist in Bilbao at 4pm.
Day 1. Welcome to Basque Country! We begin on the terrace with a magnificent view of the Guggenheim Museum and Bilbao’s bustling skyline. After introductions and a celebratory toast, we’ll journey outside for a guided walk around town, taking in Bilbao’s rich architecture, industrial history, and vibrant street scenes. Pintxos and a welcome group dinner await. (Stay three nights at Bilbao’s Hotel The Artist)
Day 2. Taking advantage of our prime location, we’ll head over the the Guggenheim for an exhilarating guided tour with an expert in the museum’s contemporary and modern collections. This is a building that is as much of a work of art as the works inside. Moving through Frank Gehry’s masterpiece is a sensory collision of light, color, and materials, seemingly set in motion. Inside we’ll see works by major international, Basque, and Spanish artists, and will give particular focus to celestial and solar themes. The afternoon is yours to further explore the city and there’s always an option to meet up in the evening for pintxos and a glass.
Day 3. Today we’ll take a day trip north to Gernika (Guernica, in English), a town bombed in 1937 and immortalized in a painting by Pablo Picasso. We’ll stop for a seaside group lunch in Bermeo and walk it off along the dramatic coastline of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
Day 4. We depart from Bilbao and drive south into rugged hill country. We’ll visit the town of Zegama to learn about Basque farm life, local food products, and enjoy a group lunch of grilled Basque specialties. This afternoon we continue to Vittoria-Gasteiz, the regional capital, before arriving in Santo Domingo de la Calzada along the Camino de Santiago. Here we’re staying in a restored monastery. (Stay three nights at Parador Santo Domingo de la Calzada)
Day 5. Taking advantage of fresh palettes, we’ll drive into the Rioja wine region for tastings at renowned vineyards followed by a light lunch together in the medieval hamlet of Laguardia. After an afternoon siesta, we’ll regroup before dinner for a solar eclipse lecture by our tour’s resident astronomer, Dr Robert Jedicke. After sunset (weather permitting), we’ll drive into the local hills for a dark sky star talk.
Day 6. Today is total solar eclipse day, August 12th. This morning is free for an optional walk along the Camino de Santiago and chance to meet pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostella. By midday we’ll head to our pre-selected viewing spot, carefully researched for optimal viewing of the eclipse. Totality takes place about an hour before sunset, and it will be in partial eclipse as the Sun dips below the horizon, which will provide a spectacular viewing opportunity above the Spanish countryside.
Day 7. Still buzzing with excitement from yesterday’s eclipse, we’ll board our private coach after breakfast and make our way back to Bilbao. The tour ends there—choose a city center or airport drop-off. We’ll help assist with post-tour travel plans. Adiós!
Itinerary subject to change.
What’s Included
Rioja Winery Visit
Included:
A small group experience of up to 18 people
Six nights accommodation, including breakfasts
Three group dinners and three group lunches, drinks included
Wine tastings
All group sightseeing activity entrance fees and local guides
All local group travel by private vehicle
All tips
One hour of pre-tour travel consultation
Not Included:
Airfare & airport transportation
Activities not included with the tour
Hotel extras and room service
Extra wine at group meals
Travel insurance
FAQ
Why Santo Domingo de la Calzada?
What are the particulars of this total solar eclipse in Northern Spain?
This eclipse will occur at 8:28pm local time on August 12th, shortly before sunset (at 9:18pm) Totality will last approximately 1 minute 32 seconds.
Why Santo Domingo de la Calzada as a base for viewing the eclipse?
Santo Domingo de la Calzada works well because it is within the zone of totality, is reasonably close to the centerline, has good probability of clear skies, is in a rural area with lots of good roads to disperse traffic, and is close to Bilbao’s international airport, about a 90 minute drive away. And just as important, Santo Domingo de la Calzada is an important medieval village along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela with an impressive cathedral. The town itself is a highlight experience.
What is the average daily temperature for this time of year?
The average August daily high temperature for Bilbao is 79°F and for Santo Domingo de la Calzada is 82°F. Northern Spain benefits from cooler coastal temperatures compared to places farther south on the Iberian Peninsula.
Where will this tour stay?
This tour stays in wonderful, 4-start accommodations. Hotel The Artist in Bilbao is modern, reflecting style and taste of the nearby Guggenheim Museum, and has a wonderful roof terrace with views of the city. The Parador Santo Domingo de la Calzada is a restored monastery near the town cathedral that dates back to the 12th Century.
How much walking will there be on this tour?
This will be an active tour with city walking tours, some light hiking on trails and gravel roads, and options for longer walks on the Camino de Santiago.
What’s the balance between group time and free time?
This tour is designed to strike a balance between group time and your own free time to explore. We will help plan your activities and will send out informational emails in advance for those who want to plan ahead.
When should I plan to arrive in Bilbao for this tour?
The tour starts at 4pm. So if you’re flying into Bilbao, plan to arrive before noon to comfortably make your way to the hotel. It’s not necessary to arrive in Bilbao (or Europe) a few days early to adjust to the time change, but many travelers choose to do so.
What will we eat?
The best things about this solar eclipse happening in Northern Spain is this is one of the best culinary regions in the world for food and wine. Basque cuisine is renown for its use of fine local products, adherence to tradition, but also creativity and expression. Pintxos are Basque appetizers and an early evening pastime. Wonderful seafood dishes are available from the nearby Atlantic catch. And grilled meats from the interior hill country are famous. This is a region that abounds with Michelin star restaurants so there are many options for fine dining.