Spring cultural programme
The International Welcome Centre offers a cultural programme to help you get to know the Basque Country better during spring 2026: free activities in and outside the city, allowing you to explore the landscape, culture and heritage of the region together with your classmates!
Activities in Araba
Activity OUTSIDE THE CITY: Varona Tower in Valdegovía
An opportunity to discover the most epic side of Alava’s heritage: step inside a 14th century tower that has been home to the same family for over six centuries, where every corner tells tales of battles, nobles and the medieval life that shaped Alava.
- Date: Saturday 9 May
- Bus departure from Vitoria-Gasteiz: location and time to be confirmed.
- Start of the tour: 13:00
- End of the tour: 14:00
Activity IN THE CITY: Vitoria-Gasteiz Cathedral
During the tour of the cathedral and the tower, visitors will be able to explore every corner of the cathedral, from the underground crypt to the triforium, not forgetting the walkway and the spectacular ‘portico of light’. You will reach the bell tower to enjoy a unique panoramic view of the Llanada Alavesa (flatland landscape) by walking along the new panoramic walkway and staircase located in the restored room above the portico or by taking a modern glass-enclosed lift that ensures accessibility.
- Date: Thursday 16 April
- Tour starts: 17:45
- Tour ends: 19:30
Activities in Bizkaia
Activity OUTSIDE THE CITY: Visit the Oma Forest
A unique art gallery set amidst nature, where you can discover the work of artist Agustín Ibarrola, who transformed more than 800 pine trees into a forest-museum where the figures come to life as you walk amongst the trees. The tour takes place in two groups, each led by two local guides. Fernando Baceta Gobantes, a lecturer at the University of the Basque Country (EHU), who led the project to move the paintings from the Oma forest to the Basobarri forest, will give a brief introduction to the site.
- Date: Saturday 25 April
- Departure from Bilbao: location and time to be confirmed
- Start of the tour: 11:00
- End of the tour: 14:00
Activity IN THE CITY: Architectural boat tour of the Bilbao River
An opportunity to discover the architectural and urban development that Bilbao has undergone, viewed from the estuary. The tour takes place on a covered electric boat, departing from the jetty at the Hotel Consulado in Bilbao and travelling to the Bizkaia Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Portugalete. An English-speaking architect will provide details on the city’s development.
- Date: Wednesday 29 April
- Tour starts: 18:00
- Tour ends: 20:00
Activities in Gipuzkoa
Activity OUTSIDE THE CITY: Visit the Igartubeiti "Baserri"-Museum and make your own apple juice
The Igartubeiti Farmhouse Museum is a farmhouse that retains its original 16th-century structure and is located in Ezkio. Ibon Tellería, a lecturer at the University of the Basque Country (EHU) and an expert on farmhouses, will provide an explanation of the historical context of this iconic structure of the Basque heritage. In this sensory and dynamic experience, you will learn about the cider-making process: treading the apples by hand with the treading boards, and once the apples have been pressed, tasting the juice extracted from them.
- Date: Saturday 18 April
- Departure from the Gipuzkoa Campus in Donostia: location and time to be confirmed.
- Start of the tour: 11:00
- End of the tour: 13:00
Activity IN THE CITY: Explore and get a taste of the old port of Donostia
A chance to discover the most authentic side of Donostia: explore the city’s maritime heritage in the company of guides from the Basque Maritime Museum, rounding off the tour with a seasonal tasting on the museum terrace or in the ganbara.
- Date: Thursday 23 April
- Tour starts: 17:30
- Tour ends: 19:00
**NOTE:
Places will be limited. Please, take into account that this activity involves lots of personal and financial means. Therefore, you should only register once you know for sure that you will participate in the activity. If you are unable to attend, please email info.welcomecentre@ehu.eus well in advance so that we can offer your place to someone else.
The registration period will end one week before each activity takes place. Once the deadline has passed, the organisation will send an email confirming the place and providing further information about the activity.
The activities will be conducted in English and Spanish.
The university will provide bus transport for activities outside the city. The bus will depart from Bilbao for the activity in Bizkaia; from Gasteiz for the activity in Araba and from Donostia for the activity in Gipuzkoa.
The location and time of the bus departure will be confirmed at a later date.