Free walking tours in Hondarribia and what to see

Must-sees

Hondarribia stands at the mouth of the Bidasoa, facing France, and has one of the best-preserved walled old towns in Gipuzkoa. Enter through the Puerta de Santa María and walk up Calle Mayor, with stone houses, wooden balconies and coats of arms on the façades. At the top are the church of Santa María de la Asunción y del Manzano and Plaza de Armas, with the castle of Charles V, now a parador.

Outside the walls is La Marina, the old fishermen's quarter. Calle San Pedro has colourfully painted houses and lots of pintxo bars. From the harbour a ferry crosses to Hendaye in a few minutes. If you like walking, Mount Jaizkibel and the area around the Higer lighthouse offer views of the coast and the Bay of Biscay.

Free tours and guided visits

Hondarribia has fewer free tours than San Sebastián. The most common option is a guided visit to the walled town and La Marina, which explains the town's history as a fortress facing France and the sieges it endured. As excursions, the hiking routes on Jaizkibel, walks around Txingudi bay and a visit to Pasaia are worthwhile. San Sebastián is about twenty kilometres away and easy to combine with a free tour there. Across the border you can visit Hendaye, Saint-Jean-de-Luz or Biarritz.

How long to spend

A full day is enough for Hondarribia. In the morning, explore the walled town and the church; at midday go down to La Marina for lunch or pintxos; in the afternoon cross to Hendaye or head up to the Higer lighthouse. With two or three days, use it as a base for San Sebastián and the Basque coast on both sides of the border.

Where to stay

Staying inside the walled town is the most special option: quiet streets at night and everything close at hand. La Marina is livelier, with bars and restaurants on the doorstep, and only a few minutes from the upper town. Near the beach there is quieter accommodation, practical if you have children. Either way, the town is small and easy to explore on foot.