Things to do in

Bayonne

Visit the towns along France’s Basque coast on this full-day tour from San Sebastian. Begin with stops in Bayonne and Biarritz, and an opportunity to experience both traditional and modern coastal lifestyles. See harbors with fishing boats as well as popular surfing spots. In Biarritz, enjoy watching the activity of the young surfers in front of the high-end casinos and traditional restaurants. The town appeals to all types of visitors and has been a popular seaside destination for many years. Enjoy a stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the way. The tour ends with a drop off at your hotel.

Experience the history and heritage of Bayonne with a passionate official guide just for you and your friends or family. Explore ancient defensive walls, hidden medieval streets, and stunning half-timbered traditional architecture on this 2.5-hour walking tour. Along the way, your enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide will regale you with great stories of people who lived there. You will hear of stories ranging from ancient Roman soldiers to the chocolate makers who made this a sweet place to live. You will later end your tour by tasting the delicious chocolate of Bayonne and discovering the fascinating story of how the city became the first chocolate capital of France. Bayonne is a city brimming with history and flavor, and this is your chance to explore it in an exclusive, personalized, and unique way.

Meet your guide by Place de la Liberté in central Bayonne, where you will enjoy a beautiful view of the Nive and Adour rivers and learn why the Romans built a military camp here in the fourth century. Then you will set off on your 2-hour walking tour. Immerse yourself in the history of the feudal fortress of Bayonne, Chateau Vieux, the Bayonne Cathedral Unesco World Heritage site, and the medieval heart of Bayonne, Place Pasteur. Along the way, your guide will point out examples of beautiful traditional half-timbered architecture and regale you with stories about life in medieval Bayonne. You will visit the defensive system of Bayonne, including hidden remains of the Roman wall and the charming Petit Bayonne quarter, where Basque identity is always present. Then walk to the Chateau Neuf and the Saint-Andre church, before returning to Grand Bayonne. During the tour, you will discover why Bayonne became the capital of chocolate, and walk by the hundred-year-old chocolate shops on the famous Rue du Port Neuf.

This tour is focused on the path of St. Ignatius, from his birth to the founding of the Society of Jesus. You will begin with a visit to the spectacular Basilica of Loiola, which was built in the 18th century. You'll then visit Saint Ignatius' family house and birthplace (in Loiola, Azpeitia), the hermitage of La Antigua in Zumarraga (where Saint Ignatius made a stop during his pilgrimage), and the Sanctuary of Arantzazu, which is located in a spectacular spot in a gorge and was rebuilt in the 1950s. It is also a showcase of modern religious art at its finest, having been awarded with several international prizes. This is a day full of spirituality which is bound to leave both faithful and non-religious tourists alike awed by the sheer beauty of its sights.

Get picked up from your hotel in Bilbao and enjoy a private transfer to the French Basque country. Revel in the delights of the French coast as you explore quaint villages with your local guide. Visit tiny and adorable fishing villages like Saint Jean de Luz, where time seems to stand still, and experience the Basque gastronomy and surfing in the beachside village of Biarritz. Be amazed by Bayonne, a charming little city full of historic buildings with a quaint downtown area. Enjoy a complimentary lunch before heading to your final stop, Hendaye, a town on the border between France and Spain. Here, learn about the many historical events that have taken place in this area throughout the last 200 years. Once the tour has ended, get dropped off back at your hotel in Bilbao.

Meet your guide by Place de la Liberté in central Bayonne and start with a beautiful panoramic view of the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers. Then set off on your 2-hour walking tour of the city, where you will immerse yourself in the history of the medieval hearth of Bayonne. Visit the defensive system of the fortress city, including hidden parts of the Roman ramparts, its feudal fortress: "Le Chateau Vieux", and the stunning Bayonne Cathedral (Unesco World Heritage site). Your guide will point out examples of beautiful traditional half-timbered architecture and regale you with stories about past and present life at Bayonne. You will discover why Bayonne became the French capital of ham & chocolate. After the walking tour of Bayonne you will jump on the local zero emission tram-bus to get to Biarritz. During a 25 minutes ride you will learn about the current life of the BAB (Bayonne-Anglet-Biarritz) urban area. Once in Biarritz you will start with a short visit of the market (les Halles), and then you will have free time (1 to 2 hours depending on your preferences) to taste the local delicacies on your own. After a great lunch you will meet back your guide at the market and set off on a 1h30/2h walking tour of Biarritz: "queen of beaches and beach of kings". See the legendary Hotel du Palais, the elegant Art-Deco Casino Municipal, and the glamourous Grande Plage, as your guide entertains you with stories about the city’s glorious past and vibrant present. Take in the stunning coastline as you admire gorgeous Belle Époque and art deco buildings. Explore the charming "Port des Pecheurs" and the "Rocher de la Vierge", and marvel at the panoramic views of the Basque coastline. After the walking tour you will take the tram-bus back to Bayonne with your guide to end a fascinating journey.

Enjoy a private trip with a driver-guide explore the Basque Country. Visit lovely villages and areas including Saint Jean de Luz, Ciboure, Socoa, the Corniche Basque, Ainhoa, Espellette, Saint Jean Pied-de-Port and Biarritz. Saint Jean de Luz  is a lovely little fishing port on the Basque coast just South of Biarritz. First, drive to Ciboure, Socoa, and along the Corniche Basque. The road is on top of this magnificent stretch of cliffs and coastline and leads south from the Vauban Fort of Socoa to Hendaye on the Spanish border. Next, veer away from the coast and up into the foothills of the Pyrenees, towards the lovely French Basque mountain town of Ainhoa. After Ainhoa, head to Espellette, a Basque town with traditional colors and architecture. The houses have a special decoration, they’re covered with garlands of red peppers. Then it's time to leave Espelltte and drive to Saint Jean Pied-de-Port. This medieval fortified city is still surrounded by a parapet wall, and plays an important role for pilgrims. It’s the last stop in France along the Camino de Santiago de Compostella. After visiting these mountain towns, return to the Atlantic coast to visit Biarritz; before returning to Saint Jean de Luz or the point of departure.