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A walk from the French border, Hondarribia is one of the most charming towns along the Basque coast. What adds to its appeal is an extraordinary number of excellent restaurants and bars, which have become a gastronomic magnet for the foodie tourist.

Where to Stay in Hondarribia

There’s a good choice of hotels in and around Hondarribia, ranging from historic paradors in the fortified old town to family-run hotels with outdoor pools near the seafront. You could also consider staying in an apartment hotel if you want to do some self-catering and make use of wonderful local produce. If you want a flavour of France, look at the hotels across the Bidasoa River in the French border town of Hendaye. Here you can book a spa hotel near the beach or stay in self-catering accommodation with an outdoor pool.

What to See in Hondarribia

Start at Hondarribia’s attractive harbour, which is lined with wide boulevards. It’s here that you’ll find the best choice of bars serving pintxos. This is the Basque version of tapas, and you can spend hours bar hopping and bars snacking on these delicious nibbles. Because the competition among the bar owners is so fierce, the quality of pintxos is very high.

Carry on into the fortified old town, Casco Antiguo, which is above Hondarribia harbour. Stroll past Medieval mansions until you reach Plaza de Armas, where the tenth-century Castille de Carlos V stands. All around are pretty half-timbered Basque houses, whose wooden balconies are painted in a rainbow of colours. Lose yourself among the Baroque architecture and cobbled lanes that weave through the old town.

Hondarribia’s Beach

Relax on the sands of Hondarribia’s beach, or swim in the safe shallow waters. Take lazy walks along the seafront promenade towards the gleaming boats in the marina. If you’re feeling energetic, you can make use of the tennis courts, football pitches and children’s play areas behind the marina.

Make the most of the Hondarribia’s laid-back lifestyle by booking a hotel or self-catering apartment in the old town or near the beach and use it as your base for exploring San Sebastian and the Basque Country.