One-Page Summary

PORTUGAL & SPAIN — SOLAR ECLIPSE 2026 ITINERARY

July 30 departure; arrive Lisbon July 31 — August 16, 2026

Lisbon (July 31–Aug 3, 4 nights): arrive and drop luggage at Rua Fialho de Almeida; private tuk-tuk tour; Belém with Jerónimos Monastery, Monument to the Discoveries, Coach Museum and O Frade dinner; Sintra day trip; Chiado/free day plus evening Fado.

Porto (Aug 4–7, 4 nights): train from Lisbon to Porto; Ribeira/Dom Luís Bridge area; Douro Valley wine day trip; Foz do Douro by Tram 1, lighthouse views and Serralves; tuk-tuk tour and Palácio da Bolsa.

Porto → Bilbao (Aug 8): after checkout, use rented van for a Porto-area coastal/countryside driving day, return to Porto Airport Sixt by about 6:00 PM, then fly Porto to Bilbao; lodging at Hernani Kalea 7.

Bilbao (Aug 8–9, 2 nights): Guggenheim Museum, river walk from Hernani Kalea, Teatro Arriaga/Arenal, Zubizuri, optional Fine Arts Museum or Doña Casilda Park, Artxanda Funicular/Viewpoint, and Plaza Nueva pintxos.

Burgos (Aug 10–12, 3 nights — FIXED): ALSA bus from Bilbao to Burgos; pickup Enterprise van; rural lodging near Villanueva/Villalbilla de Gumiel; Museum of Human Evolution, old town, Burgos Cathedral, and eclipse-site scouting.

✨ Solar Eclipse — Aug 12, 2026: light schedule, eclipse glasses, backup viewing plan, water/snacks, bathroom plan, and early preparation for next-morning departure.

Madrid (Aug 13–15, 3 nights): train Burgos→Madrid; lodging at C. de Concepción Jerónima 3; Prado/Retiro/Gran Vía arrival day; historic Madrid walk; Segovia day trip by Chamartín train, Bus 11 to Aqueduct, Cathedral, José María lunch and Alcázar.

Travel Flow:

LAX → Lisbon → Porto → Porto coastal driving day → Flight to Bilbao → ALSA bus to Burgos → Train to Madrid → Segovia day trip → MAD/LAX

Key Timed Logistics from Spreadsheet:

Lisbon→Porto train 9:09 AM–11:48 AM; Douro tour 8:45 AM–6:45 PM; Porto tuk-tuk 9:30 AM–12:30 PM; Bilbao→Burgos bus 11:00 AM; Burgos→Madrid train 9:34 AM–11:28 AM; Segovia train day 9:25 AM out / 6:27 PM return.

Spreadsheet Cost Snapshot:

Entered/planned items total about $12,800 for the group, or about $2,133 per person. This appears to be a working trip ledger and may exclude some meals, incidentals, international airfare, or items not yet entered.

Trip Themes / Priorities:

History • Architecture • Food & Wine • Coastal Landscapes • Art & Culture • Small Towns • Eclipse Travel • Relaxed pacing with realistic transit buffers