- Dates: Aug 07 - 16, 2026
- Duration: 10 days, 9 nights
- Trip Level (1-4):3
- Arrive: Madrid, Spain
- Depart:Bilbao, Spain
- Priced From: $10,285
This tour departs in
DAYS
Highlights
- Begin your journey in the Dynamic capital city of Madrid
- Take advantage of the best weather prospects for viewing the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse
- Sample Spain’s acclaimed wine and cuisine throughout the tour
- Explore landmarks of medieval and Spanish Gothic architecture of Burgos and Segovia
- View an archeological dig at Atapuerca, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site for the discovery of evidence of the earliest hominid settlement in Western Europe
- Stroll the chic, coastal city of San Sebastian in Spain’s Basque country
- Visit the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the masterpiece of architect Frank Gehry
- Sample Wine and explore prehistoric cave art dating back tens of thousands of years after your Spain Total Eclipse excursion
The spirit of discovery has defined Spain for more than six centuries, since the first wave of Renaissance explorers set off across the seas in search of terra incognita – promising gold, silver, spices and other riches to their royal sponsors. That same spirit of curiosity has long infused Spanish culture, from its extraordinary art and architecture, to its groundbreaking literature, to its distinctive wines and cuisine – all of which continue to be celebrated today in a land of remarkable vibrancy, flair and warm hospitality.
So what better place to witness the total solar eclipse of August 2026 than in the heart of Spain, from your unique vantage point on a sunny plateau ringed by mountains and dotted with medieval towns?
TravelQuest has been bringing curious travelers to Spain for more than 20 years, and in that time the local partners who help us create our trips have become trusted friends. These gifted storytellers, with their passion for sharing their country’s rich history and natural beauty, have always made our Spanish journeys truly magical. And this new ten-day total solar eclipse adventure is no exception.
We visit some of Spain’s most celebrated cities – Madrid, Segovia, Burgos, Valladolid – while also winding through less-known regions to explore aspects of this fascinating country that mainstream tours miss. Along the Basque Coast on the Bay of Biscay, we tour the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, architect Frank Gehry’s modern masterpiece. And on August 12, 2026, our select group views the total eclipse of the Sun from a site in rural Castilla that our astronomers believe is most likely to offer unobstructed views during the brief but unforgettable sunset sequence.
Join us as we embrace the spirit of discovery on the Iberian Peninsula, blending cultural and astronomical adventures, and enjoying the unique access and expert insights that are hallmarks of the TravelQuest experience.
August 2026 Spain Total Eclipse
By eclipse meteorologist and TravelQuest trip leader Jay Anderson
The trajectory of this total eclipse – beginning in northern Russia, passing over the North Pole and touching Iceland before descending across the North Atlantic — is likely to be obscured in many places by heavy cloud. Fortunately, as it sinks toward a conclusion at sunset, the path encounters more heartening weather on the Iberian Peninsula. In August, Spain is mainly a land of sunshine and warm temperatures, offering the best prospects for a cloud-free eclipse of any location along the Moon’s path. Twenty years of satellite observations at this time of year show that much of the country has an encouraging average daytime cloud cover of around 35 percent. Ground-level measurements at weather stations typically record between 70 and 80 percent average daily sunshine along most of the eclipse track.
Completely sunny days are common in Spain during the late summer. Still, in choosing TravelQuest’s observation site we’ve avoided areas that are prone to afternoon cloud buildups to ensure a clear sight line to the setting sun. We’ll also be far enough inland to avoid the coastal cloud, in a viewing spot tucked behind mountains that impede incoming weather systems. Although it will be a short eclipse at 1 m 45s, its ghostly appearance above the sunset horizon, over a generally sunlit landscape, will add a special drama to the spectacle.
The trajectory of this total eclipse – beginning in northern Russia, passing over the North Pole and touching Iceland before descending across the North Atlantic — is likely to be obscured in many places by heavy cloud. Fortunately, as it sinks toward a conclusion at sunset, the path encounters more heartening weather on the Iberian Peninsula. In August, Spain is mainly a land of sunshine and warm temperatures, offering the best prospects for a cloud-free eclipse of any location along the Moon’s path. Twenty years of satellite observations at this time of year show that much of the country has an encouraging average daytime cloud cover of around 35 percent. Ground-level measurements at weather stations typically record between 70 and 80 percent average daily sunshine along most of the eclipse track.
