Culture
Language, pelota, traditions
CultureLauburu: the origin and meaning of the Basque cross
Where does the lauburu, the Basque cross, come from, and what does it mean? What the old stelae show, what it has been made to mean, how to draw it with a compass, where to see the oldest ones, and a detour via the ikurriña.
TravelThe best museums in the Basque Country: from the Guggenheim to the Basque Museum in Bayonne
Bilbao’s Guggenheim and Fine Arts Museum, San Telmo, Chillida Leku, Balenciaga, Artium, Museum of Navarre, Bayonne’s Basque Museum, Bonnat-Helleu, Villa Arnaga.
WellnessThe Basque way of life: txokos, poteo, fiestas and feel-good traditions
What makes Basque wellbeing: gastronomic societies (txokos), poteo with friends, the cuadrilla, bertsolaris, rural sports (herri kirolak) and village fiestas.
CultureBasque actors, actresses and singers: from Money Heist to Luis Mariano
Itziar Ituño (Lisbon in Money Heist), Karra Elejalde, Maurice Ravel, Mikel Laboa, La Oreja de Van Gogh, Amaia… Basque stars from both sides of the border.
CultureETA: the history of a conflict, from 1959 to its dissolution in 2018
ETA explained impartially: origins under Franco, attacks and victims, supporters and opponents, end of the armed campaign, disarmament, dissolution and legacy.
CultureFêtes de Bayonne 2026: dates, programme, what to wear and tips
Fêtes de Bayonne 2026 guide (15–19 July): origins, day-by-day programme, King Léon, the festival pass, white and red dress code, practical and safety tips.
CultureBasque pelota: history, frontons and disciplines
Hand pelota, chistera, pala, cesta punta: Basque pelota explained — origins, the three types of court, champions and where to watch, like Biarritz’s Gant d’Or.
CaminoSanctuaries of the Basque Country: Loyola, Arantzazu, Javier, Leyre, Eunate and Roncesvalles
Six spiritual and heritage sites in the Basque Country and Navarre, even for non-pilgrims: Loyola, Arantzazu, Javier Castle, Leyre, Eunate and Roncesvalles.
CultureHow to pronounce Basque place names — a mini-guide for visitors
Bilbao, Donostia, Iruñea, Baiona… A practical guide to pronouncing some thirty essential Basque place names, with simple rules and easy English sound-alikes.
CultureEuskadi or Euskal Herria — what’s the difference?
A short guide to telling the Basque Autonomous Community (Euskadi) apart from the historic seven-province Basque Country (Euskal Herria).