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The Basque Way
Bilbao & San Sebastian
4 nights
Thu 18th Feb - Mon 22nd Feb 2027
Price from £1,095
Discover one of football's most fascinating regions on this exclusive 4-night journey through the heart of the Basque Country. Based in vibrant Bilbao, you'll experience two live matches while uncovering the unique football culture that has made this corner of northern Spain unlike anywhere else in the game.
From the iconic San Mamés to a day trip to beautiful San Sebastián, we'll explore the stories, traditions and rivalries that define Basque football. Learn about the famous cantera philosophy that has shaped generations of players and helped create one of the world's most distinctive football identities.
Beyond the stadiums, immerse yourself in Basque culture through its celebrated cuisine, world-famous pintxos, local wines and welcoming atmosphere. Combining live football, rich history, stunning coastal scenery and exceptional food and drink, this tour offers a deeper understanding of a region where football is far more than just a game—it's a way of life.
Highlights
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Watch a La Liga match in the Basque region (Bilbao, Real Sociedad or Alves)*
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Watch another match in the region (Eibar, Barakaldo, Sestao River or similar)
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Day trip to San Sebastian including a visit to the Real Sociedad stadium & museum
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Visit to the world renowned Guggenheim Museum
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Discover the delights of the Basque culinary culture
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Insight provided by Spanish football expert and author of Morbo - Phil Ball
*The exact matches we attend will depend on the finalisation of the fixtures.
Itinerary*
Day 1
Arrive in Bilboa and check into your centrally located 4 star hotel. Early evening we will explore the historic Casco Viejo and Las Siete Calles and enjoy some Basque pintxos along the way. We will then enjoy a traditional Basque dinner and an exclusive talk on the history of Basque football from Phil Ball.
Day 2
Today we venture to the elegant coastal city of San Sebastián, widely regarded as one of Spain's most beautiful destinations. Our day begins with a ride on the historic funicular railway to the summit of Monte Igueldo, where breathtaking panoramic views stretch across the famous La Concha Bay and the rugged Basque coastline.
After taking in the scenery, we'll descend into the atmospheric Old Town, where we'll enjoy a traditional Basque lunch and experience the region's renowned culinary culture.
In the afternoon, football takes centre stage as we visit the home of Real Sociedad. A guided tour of the stadium and club museum offers a fascinating insight into the history, achievements and identity of one of Spain's most respected clubs. We return to Bilbao in the evening with lasting memories of a day that perfectly blends football, culture and spectacular scenery.
Day 3
Today we delve deeper into the culture and history that make Bilbao such a captivating destination. Our morning begins with a guided visit to the world-famous Guggenheim Museum, the architectural masterpiece that helped transform the city and become a symbol of modern Bilbao.
We then explore the roots of Basque football with a visit to the site where the game was first played in the region, discovering how football became woven into the identity of the Basque people.
After lunch, we'll experience football from a local perspective with a visit to an Athletic Club peña, where passionate supporters gather to celebrate their club's unique traditions and values. As excitement builds, we make our way to the magnificent San Mamés Stadium for our first live Spanish football match—an unforgettable evening in one of Europe's most atmospheric football arenas.
Day 4
Today is dedicated to understanding the enduring legacy of Athletic Club, one of football's most remarkable institutions. Founded in 1898 and famous for its unique cantera philosophy, the club has remained true to its Basque roots for more than a century. Our morning visit to the Athletic Club Museum brings this extraordinary story to life, exploring the people, traditions and values that have shaped a club unlike any other in world football.
We then visit the famous Gabarra, the historic barge that carries Athletic Club's victorious teams along the Nervión River during title celebrations. A powerful symbol of local pride, it occupies a special place in the hearts of Bilbao's football supporters.
After some free time to explore the city at your own pace, we experience football from a different perspective as we attend a local match. Whether at historic Sestao River or another regional club, this evening offers an authentic glimpse into the grassroots passion that lies at the heart of Basque football culture.
Day 5
After breakfast, we make our final excursion to one of the Basque Country's most distinctive landmarks: the historic Vizcaya Bridge. Opened in 1893 and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this remarkable structure is the world's oldest transporter bridge and an enduring symbol of the region's industrial heritage.
We'll take the lift to the elevated walkway and cross high above the Nervión Estuary, enjoying spectacular views of Bilbao's maritime landscape and the surrounding coastline. It's a fitting finale to a tour that has explored the unique character, history and identity of the Basque Country.
Following our visit, we'll gather for a final coffee and the opportunity to reflect on the unforgettable football experiences, cultural discoveries and friendships made along the way before commencing our journey home.
*This is the intended itinerary and may change as it is subject to the finalisation of the fixtures. If Athletic Club are playing away on the weekend of our tour we will arrange to watch Real Sociedad or Alves. In this event we will ensure we take a guided tour inside Athletic Club's San Mamés stadium.
Useful information
Prices
Price per person based on two people sharing a twin room £1,095.
Single supplement of £295
Deposit to secure your place £300
Balance will be due to be paid the 20th November 2026
Included in the price;
*4 star hotel for 4 nights including breakfast - name of hotel is detailed below.
*All transport on tour
*Tour leader
*Football expert Phil Ball on tour throughout providing insight into the history and culture of Basque football
*Tickets to a La Liga match - Athletic Club, Real Sociedad or Alves. Tickets will be long side
*Tickets to a local match in the Bilbao region such as Sestao River Club.
*Entrance tickets and guide to the Guggenheim Museum
*Entrance tickets to the Athletic Club Museum
*Entrance tickets to the Real Sociedad Museum
*Tickets to cross the Vizcaya Bridge
*Tickets for the Monte Igueldo Funicular
*Pintxos and welcome dinner on first night
*Group lunch in San Sebastian
Hotel
We will be staying at the centrally located 4 star hotel - Hotel Ilunion San Mamés. Breakfast will be included.
Flights
Flights are not included in the price.
We recommend the following flights;
Thursday 18th February - fly out of Luton London (LTN) at 13:45 and land in Bilbao (BIO) at 16:45 with Wizz Air. Flight # W95363
Monday 22nd February from Bilbao (BIO) at 17:25, landing back in Luton London (LTN) at 18:25 with Wizz Air. Flight # W95364
The above return flights are currently available for approximately £105
There may also be flights from Gatwick with vueling.com which leave Gatwick at 09:20 and land in Bilbao at 12:20. The return flight should leave Bilbao at 16:25 and land back at Gatwick at 17:10. These flights are not yet available but should be in the next 4-6 weeks.
Tour dates and fixture finalisation
La Liga fixtures are not finalised until about 2-3 weeks before. At this point the day (Fri-Mon) and kick-off time will be released. This is a possibility the Athletic Club fixture does not fit into our weekend and in which case we will attend the Real Sociedad or Alves home fixture. We will definitely attend two live matches over the weekend which will include one La Liga match and another from a lower division to experience the more local football culture.
Minimum group number required
This tour requires a minimum of 8 people to run. As soon as this number is reached we will confirm the tour so you can then book your flights. In the unlikely even that we need to cancel the tour due to not reaching this number we would return your deposit.