Basque Coast Escape
Camping at the gateway to Spain
From our campsite in the Basque Country, Spain is within easy reach! Just a few kilometers away, Spain’s Basque Country opens its doors to you for a change of scenery, with its heritage, gastronomy and Iberian way of life.
Visiting Spain from Saint-Jean-de-Luz means crossing the border in just a few minutes to discover medieval villages with colorful facades, picturesque fishing ports, sandy beaches and world-renowned pintxo cuisine.
San Sebastián, Hondarribia, Irun… Tourism in Spain starts here, at the gateway to France, for days rich in discoveries and flavours. To plan your excursions, visit the official website of the San Sebastián tourist office.
discover spain
San Sebastián: the pearl of the Spanish Basque Country
Beautiful, elegant, coquettish, stately… There’s no shortage of superlatives to describe San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque), considered by many to be the tourist capital of the Basque Country. Situated around 30 kilometers from the campsite, the city boasts one of the world’s most beautiful bays, La Concha, and three urban beaches: La Concha, Zurriola and Ondarreta. Surrounded by mountains and belvederes – Igeldo, Urgull, Ulia and the isla de Santa Clara – San Sebastián offers exceptional panoramic views of the ocean and the Pyrenees.
The city center is home to characteristic monuments such as the Victoria Eugenia Theater, theHotel Maria Cristina, theTown Hall and the Buen Pastor Cathedral. Over the centuries, San Sebastián has preserved its romantic aura inherited from the Belle Époque, when the European aristocracy visited every summer. Ancient monuments coexist with modern architectural proposals, such as the Kursaal congress center, designed by Rafael Moneo, or Eduardo Chillida’s famous Wind Comb (Peine del Viento), an icon of the city.
The Old Town (Parte Vieja) is the beating heart of San Sebastián. Its pedestrian streets are packed with pintxo bars where you can sample prestigious Basque gastronomy. It’s no coincidence that San Sebastián is the city with the most Michelin stars per square metre in the world! Traditional markets offer the region’s finest raw materials. The people of San Sebastián have remained faithful to their popular traditions: the tamborrada (drum parade), the Santo Tomás market and the train regattas set the pace for life in the city.
Hondarribia (Fontarrabie): a charming medieval village
Hondarribia (Fontarrabie in French, Fuenterrabia in Spanish) is one of the most picturesque villages in the Spanish Basque Country. Located opposite Hendaye, on the left bank of the Bidassoa estuary, it can be reached in just a few minutes by car, on foot or by sea shuttle from the Hendaye marina (crossing takes around 5 minutes).
Dominated by the mouth of the Bidasoa River, the town was built as a strategic stronghold. Its well-preserved ramparts, medieval houses with colorful facades and flower-filled balconies, and the sober Charles V castle , now the Parador Nacional, make Hondarribia a must-see when visiting Spain from the French Basque Country. The Porte de Santa Maria, the town’s main entrance, leads to the heart of the historic center, where you’ll find the Santa Marta de la Asuncion y del Manzano church and the Place des Armes, lined with stately homes.
La Marina, the old fishermen’s quarter, has preserved its small Basque houses with freshly painted half-timbering. Pintxo bars and lively terraces are concentrated here. At the end of the day, at paseo time, the terraces are full and the atmosphere is festive. The 800-metre-long Hondarribia beach is particularly popular with families for its calm waters and facilities (lifeguards, showers, changing rooms). A seafront promenade links the beach to the fishing and yachting harbour.
txingudi bay
Irun: at the gateway to Spain
Irun, on the French-Spanish border, is the first Spanish town you come to when crossing the Bidasoa. Less touristy than its neighbors, it nevertheless offers a wealth of discoveries for history and nature lovers.
The town center is home to the Nuestra Senora del Juncal church and the San Juan Harria square, where local festivals are held. Hiking enthusiasts will love the trails that wind around Txingudi Bay, a nature reserve shared by Hendaye, Irun and Hondarribia.
gastronomy and activities
Activities in Spain: what to do on the other side of the border?
There are many activities to do in Spain from the Itsas Mendi campsite:
- Enjoy pintxos: the tapas bars of San Sebastián and Hondarribia are renowned for the quality of their pintxos, generous appetizers that accompany a glass of txakoli (local white wine) or Basque cider.
- Bathing on the beaches : La Concha in San Sebastián, the beach at Hondarribia or the wild coves along the coast offer ideal bathing conditions. Stroll through historic town centers: cobbled streets, colorful facades, Gothic churches and lively squares invite you to take a stroll.
- Hiking: the 14 km Chemin de la Baie trail links Hendaye to Hondarribia, offering breathtaking views of the Bidassoa estuary.
- Attend traditional festivals: the Alarde de Hondarribia (September 8), the Tamborrada de San Sebastian (January 20) and many other local festivals punctuate the year.
- Shopping : the boutiques of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and San Sebastián offer local products, clothing and Basque crafts.Tourism in Spain from the French Basque Country promises achange of scenery just a few minutes from the campsite. Enjoy your stay!
Discover also
