Day Itinerary
17 Activities
Day 1
102 mi3 mi
Charming Villages in the Basque Country
The first day combines the Spanish Basque Country with the French. The coastline with cliffs invites you to the first two stops between Bilbao and San Sebastián.
Then you visit the beautiful town of Hondarribia on the mouth of the river Bidasoa in the Bay of Biscay, which still preserves the gates to the walled town centre and the tradition of the colourfully painted houses.
The day ends on the French side in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, located on a small bay with a beach of calm waters and spectacular sunsets.
Then you visit the beautiful town of Hondarribia on the mouth of the river Bidasoa in the Bay of Biscay, which still preserves the gates to the walled town centre and the tradition of the colourfully painted houses.
The day ends on the French side in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, located on a small bay with a beach of calm waters and spectacular sunsets.
09:00
Bilbao
The exit from Bilbao is along the highway, where you can already appreciate the green tone and the small hills of the surrounding landscape.
Just 50 minutes away by car, the adventure begins in the coastal area, where every corner will surprise you. Get your camera ready to take home some postcards to remember.
Just 50 minutes away by car, the adventure begins in the coastal area, where every corner will surprise you. Get your camera ready to take home some postcards to remember.
43.7 mi
50 min
10:1515 min
Pilgrim Hostel of Deba
Lodging
Open Details
On the N-364 road and just one kilometre from the town of Deba, this viewpoint allows you to see a large part of the Cantabrian coastline with its cliffs, beaches, trees, and lots of greenery.
From here you can see the cliffs of Mendata and Aitzuri in particular. Next to the viewpoint there is an image of the Virgin of Itziar. There is space to park the car next to the viewpoint.
From here you can see the cliffs of Mendata and Aitzuri in particular. Next to the viewpoint there is an image of the Virgin of Itziar. There is space to park the car next to the viewpoint.
9 mi
25 min
11:0030 min
San Telmo Ermita
Landmark
Open Details
On one of the edges of Itzurun beach and on top of a cliff over 50 metres high, this hermitage has become famous for the Spanish film Ocho Apellidos Vascos (Eight Basque Surnames).
From the hermitage, the panoramic views of the Basque coast are breathtaking. If you have more time, there is a path along the coast that leads to a viewpoint in a few minutes.
The car should be left in the streets leading up to the hermitage, about 100 metres away.
From the hermitage, the panoramic views of the Basque coast are breathtaking. If you have more time, there is a path along the coast that leads to a viewpoint in a few minutes.
The car should be left in the streets leading up to the hermitage, about 100 metres away.
33.2 mi
50 min
12:205 min
Parking Alameda
Parking
Open Details
It is the ideal place to park your car in Hondarribia, and explore the historic area on foot.
0.5 mi
15 min
12:4515 min
San Nikolas gate
Landmark
Open Details
One of the two remaining gates from the old medieval walled enclosure.
It is connected to the new part of Hondarribia by a bridge. It is the best place to contemplate what was once the perimeter of the wall that protected the medieval city.
It is connected to the new part of Hondarribia by a bridge. It is the best place to contemplate what was once the perimeter of the wall that protected the medieval city.
0.5 mi
10 min
13:151 hr 30 min
La Hermandad de Pescadores
Restaurant
Open Details
Now it's time to eat, and there's nothing better than to do so in one of the restaurants in the seaside district of Hondarribia. This is a modest place where delicious home-made food is cooked. Fresh fish and seafood dishes are the star of the menu.
Everything they make has to do with fish, from soup, marinated fish salad, fried eggs with cod skins, clams in green sauce or hake Basque style, for example.
Open Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 13:00 - 15:30, 20:00 - 22:30. Sunday: 13:00 - 15:30.
Everything they make has to do with fish, from soup, marinated fish salad, fried eggs with cod skins, clams in green sauce or hake Basque style, for example.
Open Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 13:00 - 15:30, 20:00 - 22:30. Sunday: 13:00 - 15:30.
0.1 mi
5 min
14:5030 min
Marina-Portua
Open Details
The most picturesque place in Hondarribia with the old fishermen's houses painted in different colours, cobbled streets full of shops and restaurants serving seafood cuisine.
It is worth walking through all its streets, it takes no more than 15 minutes, and then go to the banks of the river Bidasoa to see the town of Hendaye on the French side just opposite.
It is worth walking through all its streets, it takes no more than 15 minutes, and then go to the banks of the river Bidasoa to see the town of Hendaye on the French side just opposite.
0.4 mi
10 min
15:3030 min
Casco Histórico
Open Details
The walk through the historic centre also deserves its place. Formerly walled, it retains traces of its glorious past.
Among the places that stand out are the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y del Manzano, the Plaza de Armas, the Plaza de Gipuzkoa, and what was once the castle of Charles V. The houses also conserve medieval vibes, with impeccably painted and restored façades.
Among the places that stand out are the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y del Manzano, the Plaza de Armas, the Plaza de Gipuzkoa, and what was once the castle of Charles V. The houses also conserve medieval vibes, with impeccably painted and restored façades.
0.1 mi
5 min
16:1030 min
Cafetería Carlos V
Café
Open Details
Time to drink a coffee, but in a place that is not a traditional coffee shop. Here you will feel like a king, as it is located in one of the rooms of the former castle of Charles V, now transformed into a four-star hotel.
Surrounded by stone walls, medieval banners and paintings, you don't have to stay in the hotel to enjoy this beauty.
Open Hours: All days: 11:00 - 22:00.
Surrounded by stone walls, medieval banners and paintings, you don't have to stay in the hotel to enjoy this beauty.
Open Hours: All days: 11:00 - 22:00.
0.2 mi
5 min
16:4515 min
Lift - Observation deck
Open Details
A platform that bridges the difference in level between the Ugarte gardens and the historic centre, accessible by lift. It is located on the banks of the river Bildasoa and is ideal for contemplating the bay of Txingudi and Hondarribiko and the city of Hendaye.
It is free of charge.
Open Hours: All days: 7:00 - 23:00.
It is free of charge.
Open Hours: All days: 7:00 - 23:00.
0.3 mi
10 min
17:1515 min
St. Maria Gate
Landmark
Open Details
The visit to the historic centre ends with a walk through the gate of Santa Maria.
It is still in very good condition. Next to the gate is the sapper statue of Hatxeroa, the soldier in charge of clearing the way for the troops through the terrain.
It is still in very good condition. Next to the gate is the sapper statue of Hatxeroa, the soldier in charge of clearing the way for the troops through the terrain.
0.1 mi
5 min
17:355 min
Parking Alameda
Parking
Open Details
Time to get back to the car! The car park is just a few metres from the Santa Maria gate. Now, continue on your way to the French Basque Country.
12.4 mi
25 min
18:1515 min
The Basque Corniche
Landmark
Open Details
Before arriving to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, stop at this emblematic viewpoint to appreciate the geography of the French Basque coast. High cliffs and the waves of the sea breaking over them.
There is a car park 100 metres from the viewpoint to leave your car, just across the road
There is a car park 100 metres from the viewpoint to leave your car, just across the road
1.6 mi
10 min
18:4515 min
Fort de Socoa
Landmark
Open Details
This 17th century fortress stands at one end of the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Although the inside is not open to visitors, it is a real pleasure to look out over the Cantabrian Sea, the harbour and the long beach of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
You can even take a short walk along the breakwater to see the bay in more detail.
You can even take a short walk along the breakwater to see the bay in more detail.
2.4 mi
15 min
19:155 min
Parking Indigo Saint-Jean-De-Luz Coeur De Ville
Parking
Open Details
It is the most central car park in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. It is a good idea to leave your car here, book a hotel in the centre and forget to pick it up until the next morning to continue your journey.
0.3 mi
10 min
19:3030 min
Grande Plage
Open Details
The most central beach of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, with calm waters thanks to its location in a semi-enclosed bay. It is one kilometre long, so it takes 15 minutes to walk from one end to the other.
Many of the buildings on the seashore date from the 17th century and maintain their Basque and colourful essence, even with their old walkways connecting the main entrance to the sand.
Many of the buildings on the seashore date from the 17th century and maintain their Basque and colourful essence, even with their old walkways connecting the main entrance to the sand.
0.4 mi
10 min
20:151 hr 30 min
Chez Pablo
Fast Food Restaurant
Open Details
Family-run tavern usually frequented only by locals to enjoy authentic Basque food such as baby squid in its own ink, cod omelette, Cantabrian anchovies or stuffed peppers.
All the food is homemade and at a good price.
Open Hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 12:00 - 14:00, 19:30 - 22:00.
All the food is homemade and at a good price.
Open Hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 12:00 - 14:00, 19:30 - 22:00.
0.3 mi
5 min
22:0010 hrsHotels
Les Almadies
9.5
Looking forward to dinner? In the historic centre of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, this restaurant is located in a typical Basque house. It maintains its style on the outside, but is renovated on the inside with classic furniture and good taste.
In the morning they serve a buffet breakfast with typical local products such as cold meats, cheeses and sweets.
In the morning they serve a buffet breakfast with typical local products such as cold meats, cheeses and sweets.