What to do in Pays Basque? The 10 must-sees between sea and mountains

Looking for things to do in the Basque Country without falling into the classic tourist circuit? We’ve criss-crossed the coast, climbed the hills and tasted the pintxos for you.

Here’s our top 10 activities that are truly worth the detour, whether as a couple, with friends or as a family, from your campsite with a water park.

1. Take a surf lesson in Biarritz

Biarritz didn’t become Europe’s surfing capital by accident. The Côte des Basques offers consistent waves and a reassuring sandy bottom for beginners. Expect to pay around €40 for a 1.5-hour session with equipment included. Instructors quickly gauge your level and get you standing on the board from your very first lesson. Things to do in the Basque Country with teenagers? Sign them up here — they’ll be begging to go back! On days without waves, Hendaye offers calmer conditions, ideal for children from age 6.

2. Ride the rack railway up La Rhune

Forget hiking if you’re travelling with young children: the Rhune train does the work for you. This little wooden train, unchanged since 1924, climbs to 905 metres in 35 minutes. At the top, the panorama is magnificent: the ocean on one side, the Pyrenees on the other. Bring a fleece even in summer, as the wind blows hard at the summit. The round trip takes around 2.5 hours, and the pottoks (wild Basque horses) you’ll spot along the way delight the children.

Claire’s favourite: take the first train of the morning. You’ll avoid the queue and have the summit almost to yourself. The light up there is incredible.

3. Discover Espelette out of season

Everyone knows Espelette for its strings of red peppers hanging on the house fronts. But the village deserves more than just a photo for Instagram. Stop by the Biperra workshop to learn how AOP Espelette pepper is grown and dried. Try the chilli chocolate at Antton’s. And if you visit in late October, the Fête du Piment (Pepper Festival) draws more than 20,000 visitors for tastings, competitions and culinary demonstrations.

4. Feast on pintxos in Bayonne

San Sebastián has its reputation, but Bayonne holds its own in comparison. The Petit Bayonne district is packed with pintxos bars, each counter overflowing with bites prepared that very morning. The ritual is simple: you order a glass of txakoli, point at whatever takes your fancy, and count the toothpicks at the end. Expect to pay €2 to €3 per pintxo. Le Bar du Marché and Café du Théâtre are two safe bets. What to do in the Basque Country on a rainy evening? This is the perfect answer!

5. Hike the coastal path

This coastal trail links Bidart to Hendaye over more than 54 marked kilometres. There’s no need to walk it all in one go: the stretch between Hendaye and Saint-Jean-de-Luz (around 3 hours, 12 km) is the most beautiful, weaving between cliffs, hidden coves and views over the Corniche basque. The path requires no special equipment, though closed-toe shoes are recommended on the rocky sections.

6. Discover Saint-Jean-de-Luz and its harbour

Saint-Jean-de-Luz has kept an authenticity that Biarritz has sometimes lost. Its fishing harbour is still active, the trawlers come in each morning, and you can buy fresh fish straight from the auction. The Maison Louis XIV, the seafront and the church where the Sun King got married can all be explored on foot in a few hours. On Tuesday and Friday mornings, the covered market is a must for food lovers.

Claire’s tip: settle onto the terrace of the Bar Basque at the end of the day, facing the harbour. The atmosphere is local and relaxed, and the sunset is worth more than any Michelin-starred restaurant.

7. Venture into the Isturitz and Oxocelhaya caves

It’s a complete change of pace with these caves listed as Historic Monuments. Inhabited more than 80,000 years ago, they preserve carvings, stalactites and a striking atmosphere. The guided tour lasts around 45 minutes and is suitable for children from age 5. It’s also the ideal activity when the Basque weather misbehaves: it stays at 14°C inside all year round.

8. Stroll through Ainhoa and Sare

These two villages, ranked among the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France), deserve an unhurried visit. Ainhoa, with its single street lined with red half-timbered houses, can be walked in 30 minutes but savoured for much longer. Sare, at the foot of La Rhune, is the starting point for several easy hikes. The two villages are just 10 minutes apart by car — combine them in the same half-day!

9. Enjoy a campsite with a water park

For families, a campsite with a water park in the Basque Country turns a stay into a holiday with no downtime. Slides, heated pools, paddling pools for the little ones — the kids stay busy while the parents catch their breath. Indoor pools let you make the most of it even when the weather clouds over, which, in the Basque Country, happens more often than one would like.

10. Cross the border to San Sebastián

The Basque Country doesn’t stop at the border. San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) is just 35 minutes by car from Hendaye. Its Concha beach, old town and pintxos bars in the Gros district deserve at least a full day. Crossing into Spain also offers another perspective on Basque culture and the traditions shared on both sides of the border.

Book your stay now and set off to discover the Basque Country!