While the daytime sun might be a bit too intense for long walks right now, it makes the beaches along our coast look more inviting than ever. More importantly, it gives us the absolute perfect excuse to lean into the local lifestyle: seeking out the coolest shade, pacing ourselves, and extending our plans deep into the refreshing evening hours.

This upcoming week is absolutely bursting with outdoor energy! We are officially sliding into that magical time of year where our calendar is dominated by local town festivities (herriko jaiak). Experiencing these traditional celebrations firsthand—with the streets alive with color, traditional dances, and families gathering outdoors—is a quintessential Basque experience you simply can’t miss.

But if there is one thing that pairs perfectly with these hot summer nights, it’s live music. This week kicks off the legendary Getxo Jazz Festival, the perfect excuse to head down to the coast. Catch the incredible free, open-air concerts, the seaside breeze and smooth rhythms. Pack your sunglasses, stay hydrated, and get ready to live the ultimate outdoor week!

There is nothing quite like a gentle evening breeze, a crisp, ice-cold glass of txakoli, and a refreshing pintxo to beat the heat. Drink plenty of water, find a nice terrace under the shade, and let’s enjoy these tropical Basque nights!

Some weekends just smell like summer, even before the season officially starts. The time has finally come to swap the routine for the sandy beach, stretch out conversations under the sun, and indulge in the little pleasures of our gastronomy. There’s no better way to celebrate the longer days than with a classic aperitif: the vibrant crispness of a chilled txakoli paired with the perfect bite of a gilda. If you’re also eager to soak up every single ray of sunshine and fill your agenda with unforgettable moments, grab a pen and paper, because today we bring you the ultimate weekend guide.

This weekend is packed with major events, including film and music festivals, and, above all, an unmissable date: Bilbao’s Gau Zuria (White Night). This grand nocturnal cultural and popular celebration commemorates the founding of the villa, marking the historic signing of the Carta Puebla (Town Charter) on June 15, 1300, by Don Diego López de Haro. To celebrate this «birthday» in style, Bilbao’s urban landscape will be completely transformed through art, light, mapping, lasers, and music.

It will be the perfect moment to experience the city in a truly magical way before easing into a slightly quieter week of events where we can finally recharge our batteries. If you are planning a visit, we highly recommend taking a night walk through Bilbao, San Sebastián, or Vitoria during these special days. Beyond enjoying the warm weather, you’ll be absolutely stunned by the breathtaking cityscape at night, while having a fresh drink and a delicious pintxo!

You can already feel that special atmosphere of late spring, where summer is almost in the air and more and more people prefer to make outdoor plans to soak up some vitamin D, enjoy the company of others, or simply treat themselves to a relaxing moment. 

After work, at sunset, or on a peaceful Sunday, any excuse is perfect to have a cool, refreshing drink on a warm afternoon. Although there is an infinite variety of soft drinks on the market, we Basques usually prefer something with a slower, more traditional fermentation process, like a good glass of txakoli, or something with a bit more punch and botanicals, like vermouth. 

Txakoli is the traditional wine of the Basque Country; it is mostly a white, young, and dry wine with a very characteristic acidity, also distinguished by its slight natural effervescence and moderate alcohol content, making it the ideal pairing for appetizers and pintxos, seafood dishes, fresh fish, and local cheeses like Idiazabal. 

On the other hand, vermouth is an aromatized alcoholic beverage classified as a fortified wine that must contain at least 75% of base wine—whether white, rosé, or red—along with alcohol and sugar to balance its bitter notes, which are perfect for stimulating the appetite. It is traditionally served very cold or over ice, garnished with a slice of orange or lemon, an olive, or a splash of soda water, giving rise to the popular ritual known as «vermuteo» alongside pintxos, canned preserves, and pickles. 

To put all of this into practice, this week’s agenda is packed with great plans: on one hand, you can enjoy the Txakolina Fest in Portugalete to taste the best wines of the region; on the other hand, running until June 14th, Bilbao is hosting the 11th edition of ‘The City’s Vermouth’, a spectacular route of «marianitos» and craft vermouths where local bars compete to see who serves the best one in the city.

Which one do you decide to try?

The warm weather is here in the Basque Country, bringing outdoor activities along with it. This time of year also kicks off the festival season—most of them outdoors, some free to the public, and held in open spaces close to the cities. On top of that, the great weather is perfect for outdoor activities like regattas, canoeing, or surfing.

If you want to experience true Basque passion, you cannot miss the estropadak (trainera rowing regattas) that take over our waters every summer. This thrilling sport was born out of history, originating from ancient fishermen who would race their heavy wooden boats back to port to get the best price for their catch. Today, that competitive spirit lives on in the Eusko Label Liga. The sight of the boats slicing through the water, propelled by fourteen rowers moving in perfect and powerful synchronization, is an absolute spectacle that captures the soul of Euskadi.

This week you can feel true adrenaline on the Bilbao Estuary when the regattas hit the Nervión Estuary, the entire waterfront transforms into a vibrant, open-air stadium. The banks of the river—stretching from the iconic Guggenheim Museum down to the historic Hanging Bridge of Portugalete—fill with thousands of locals dressed in the bright colors of their town’s team. From Basqvium, we recommend you to secure a spot on the Deusto Bridge, find a place along the Uribitarte promenade, or grab a drink at a riverside terrace. You will feel the ground shake as the crowd roars and cheers.

The Ultimate «Poteo» and After-Party. The best part of these events is that the excitement doesn’t end at the finish line; it actually triggers one of the best atmospheres of the season. Once the flags are awarded, the crowd spills into the nearby streets and plazas for an afternoon snack or poteo (going from bar to bar for drinks and pintxos). The local taverns come alive with traditional songs, and a festive energy. It’s the perfect excuse to spend a memorable day outdoors, blend in with the locals, and experience Basque culture at its finest and most authentic.

As May is ending, June steps into the spotlight, bringing a wave of fresh events and, most importantly, the beautiful weather we Basques have been eagerly waiting for. This is the perfect time to head outdoors, fire up the barbecue, explore our stunning coastlines, and beaches, go hiking and, of course, indulge in some terrace-side pintxos, and make the most of these sunny days as long as we can.

This season isn’t just about the sunshine; it is also a magical time for Basque gastronomy. Late spring brings the best of the harvest, filling local markets with exceptional and exquisite  fresh products. It is the peak season for delicacies like Anchoas (anchovies) from the Cantabrian Sea, tender green peas (our famous «green caviar»), and fresh white asparagus.

With nature at its finest, it is the perfect excuse to explore our local markets, visit a traditional baserri (basque farmhouse), or explore the restaurants of the cities to try vibrant, new flavors that taste like pure spring.

The arrival of June also opens the door to alternative cultural plans, lively outdoor markets, and thrilling sports, specially for Jai-Alai (Cesta Punta), a spectacular modality of Basque ball played in a fronton (Jai Alai court). Known worldwide as one of the fastest sports on the planet, the ball can reach  speeds of over 300 km/h! While it is played globally, it has deep roots in France, Florida, and Mexico’s Baja California,  but there is nothing quite like experiencing it in its birthplace.

Right now, the thrill is at an all-time high with the Iron Cup 2026 (running from May 1st to June 5th). The legendary fronton at the Club Deportivo de Bilbao is hosting the high-stakes matches.

Summer vibes are officially here, and we Basques know how to celebrate! Check out this week’s events and get inspired for your next plan.