Hondarribia is one of those places that stays with you. A walled medieval town on a hilltop, a fishermen’s quarter of brightly painted balconies and, at its feet, Txingudi Bay, where the Bidasoa river meets the Bay of Biscay and Spain looks across the water to France. Just 20 km from San Sebastián, it makes the perfect day trip, but it is also a destination in its own right for anyone who likes to travel unhurried.
For us it is a very special place: the Spirit sets sail from Hondarribia’s marina on most of our experiences. So we have put together this guide to the best things to do in Hondarribia, a one-day itinerary and a few ideas for seeing the town from where it makes the most sense: the sea.
Things to do in Hondarribia: 10 highlights
Hondarribia is easy to explore on foot and has two distinct sides: the walled old town on the hill and the La Marina fishermen’s quarter down by the water. Between them, and just beyond, these are the places you should not miss.
1. Santa María Gate and the city walls
The main way into the walled town is through the Santa María Gate, crowned by the town’s coat of arms. Stepping through it feels like stepping back in time. The walls around the old town recall Hondarribia’s past as a frontier stronghold that withstood several sieges over the centuries. Walk along them and look out from the bastions to see why this spot was so fiercely fought over.
2. Kale Nagusia, the main street
Steep, cobbled and lined with emblazoned houses with carved wooden eaves and wrought-iron balconies, Kale Nagusia is the backbone of the old town. Take it slowly: every façade tells a story about the families who lived here. It is probably one of the most photographed streets in Gipuzkoa.
3. Church of Santa María de la Asunción y del Manzano
Begun in Gothic style in the 15th century and later enriched with Renaissance and Baroque features, this church witnessed a major moment in European history: on 3 June 1660 it hosted the proxy wedding of the Infanta Maria Theresa of Spain to Louis XIV of France, following the Treaty of the Pyrenees. The ceremony with both monarchs present took place a few days later in nearby Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
4. Plaza de Armas and the Castle of Charles V
At the top of the town, the Plaza de Armas opens onto the austere façade of the Castle of Charles V, a medieval fortress remodelled in the 16th century that is now the Parador de Hondarribia hotel. From the square, the view stretches across the bay to the French coast: one of the best viewpoints in town.
5. Plaza de Gipuzkoa
Small, secluded and surrounded by half-timbered houses with colourful balconies, Plaza de Gipuzkoa is one of the most charming corners of the old town. A place simply to stop for a moment.
6. La Marina, the fishermen’s quarter
Walk down from the walls and you reach seafaring Hondarribia. La Marina keeps its old fishermen’s houses, with balconies painted green, blue or red —the colours of the fishing boats— and façades full of flowers. Calle San Pedro is lined with pintxo bars: the ideal spot for an aperitif or a relaxed dinner at the end of the day.
7. Paseo Butrón and the ferry to Hendaye
The waterfront promenade links La Marina with the harbour. From here, a small ferry crosses to Hendaye, in France, in about seven minutes, leaving every quarter of an hour. It is the easiest —and prettiest— way to change countries for lunch or a stroll along the French beach. Timetables change with the season, so check them before you go.
8. Hondarribia beach
Sheltered inside the bay, Hondarribia beach has much calmer water than the open sea, which makes it a lovely choice for families. Across the water you can see Hendaye and, on clear days, the coast of Labourd.
9. Cape Higer, Jaizkibel and the Guadalupe Sanctuary
West of town, Mount Jaizkibel rises straight out of the sea. The road up to the Guadalupe Sanctuary offers some of the finest views of the bay, and at its tip the Higer lighthouse marks the entrance to Txingudi. This is Hondarribia at its wildest: cliffs, wind-carved rocks and a coastline that is even more striking when seen from the water.
10. Txingudi Bay from the sea
There is a side of Hondarribia you cannot see from its streets. From the water, the town appears on its hill, ringed by walls, with Jaizkibel on one side and Hendaye on the other. Three towns —Hondarribia, Irun and Hendaye—, two countries and a very old story meet in this bay: it was home to the ancient Roman port of Oiasso. Upriver on the Bidasoa lies Pheasant Island, a tiny territory that Spain and France take turns to administer every six months.
Hondarribia’s highlights at a glance
| Place | What you’ll find | Time needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old town and walls | Santa María Gate, Kale Nagusia, emblazoned houses | 1.5 – 2 h | History and photography |
| Santa María church | 15th-century Gothic and the 1660 royal proxy wedding | 20 – 30 min | History |
| Plaza de Armas | Castle of Charles V and a viewpoint over the bay | 20 min | Views |
| La Marina | Fishermen’s houses and Calle San Pedro | 1 – 2 h | Pintxos and atmosphere |
| Paseo Butrón and ferry | Crossing to Hendaye in about 7 minutes | Half a day with Hendaye | A hop over to France |
| Jaizkibel and Cape Higer | Guadalupe Sanctuary, lighthouse and cliffs | 1.5 h by car | Nature and panoramas |
| Txingudi Bay by sailboat | The town, the coast and the border from the sea | 2 – 4 h | A private experience |
One day in Hondarribia: a suggested itinerary
If you only have one day, this is the order we suggest: history in the morning, flavour at lunchtime and the sea at sunset.
- 10:00Santa María Gate and Kale NagusiaEnter the old town and wander uphill past emblazoned houses and iron balconies.
- 11:00Church and Plaza de ArmasSanta María church, the Castle of Charles V and the view over the bay from the top.
- 12:00Plaza de Gipuzkoa and the wallsHalf-timbered corners and a walk along the bastions.
- 13:30Pintxos in La MarinaHead down to the fishermen’s quarter and pick a bar on Calle San Pedro.
- 16:00Paseo Butrón or JaizkibelTake the ferry to Hendaye or drive up to the Guadalupe Sanctuary and Higer lighthouse.
- 19:00Sunset sailing on Txingudi BayEnd the day at sea, with the town glowing in the last of the evening light.
Got more time? Hondarribia pairs beautifully with other towns along the coast. Our guide to villages on the Basque Coast to visit by sailboat and our pick of the most beautiful places in the Basque Country have plenty of ideas for a longer trip, and if you head west, don’t miss what to see in Zarautz.
Hondarribia from the sea: sailing experiences on Txingudi Bay
Once you have explored its streets, the best way to round off your visit is to see the town from the water. We sail from Hondarribia’s marina aboard the Spirit, our luxury sailboat, on private experiences for up to six guests, always with our skippers on board:
- Magical Sunsets: two hours watching the sun go down over the bay, with drinks and local snacks on board. The perfect end to a day in Hondarribia.
- Ancient Roman Port: four hours around Txingudi Bay and the cliffs of the Corniche, between Hendaye and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
- A Voyage of Discovery: from Hondarribia to San Sebastián by sea, past Jaizkibel and Ulía and into the bays of Pasajes and La Concha.
- Basque-Atlantic Wines and From pintxo to pintxo: the region’s food and wine, served on board.
Looking for something different? We also design tailor-made experiences à la carte, and in Hondarribia from the sea we explain what makes sailing here so special.
How to get to Hondarribia
| From | Approx. distance | How |
|---|---|---|
| San Sebastián | 20 km | About 25 minutes by car; there is also an intercity bus |
| San Sebastián Airport | Within Hondarribia itself | The airport is in Hondarribia, a few minutes from the centre |
| Irun | 4 km | Car, bus or taxi; long-distance train station |
| Hendaye (France) | Across the bay | Ferry from Paseo Butrón, about 7 minutes |
For transport timetables, events and tourist offices, the go-to source is Bidasoa Turismo, the area’s official tourism service.
When to visit Hondarribia
Hondarribia is worth visiting all year round, but each season has its own character. In summer the town is buzzing and the bay comes alive. September is special: on the 8th the town celebrates the Alarde, one of its most deeply rooted festivals, and the sea still holds the warmth of summer. In spring and autumn the light is softer and the streets are quieter. Read more in our article on the best time to visit the Basque Country.
Hondarribia FAQs
How much time do you need in Hondarribia?
A full day lets you explore the old town, have lunch in La Marina and spend the afternoon on Jaizkibel, in Hendaye or sailing on the bay. If you only have a morning, focus on the walled town and the fishermen’s quarter.
Are Hondarribia and Fuenterrabía the same place?
Yes. Hondarribia is the official Basque name and Fuenterrabía the traditional Spanish one; in French it is known as Fontarrabie. All three refer to the same town.
Can you get from Hondarribia to France by boat?
Yes. A regular ferry crosses the bay to Hendaye in about seven minutes from Paseo Butrón. And if you would rather see the French coast privately, our Ancient Roman Port experience sails out to the cliffs of the Corniche.
Is Hondarribia a good day trip from San Sebastián?
Very much so. It is only about 25 minutes by car, small enough to see in a day and completely different in feel from the city: medieval walls, a fishing quarter and France just across the water.
Discover Hondarribia from the sea with Spirit Experiences
Hondarribia is best enjoyed on foot, at a terrace table in La Marina or looking out over the bay from Plaza de Armas. But one perspective changes everything: the view from the sea. That is why it is our home port.
At Spirit Experiences we create private sailing experiences to discover Txingudi Bay, the Jaizkibel coastline and the French Basque Country at an easy pace, in good company and with every detail taken care of. Because some places you simply visit, and others you experience from a different perspective.
Fancy ending your visit to Hondarribia out at sea? Discover our luxury sailing experiences along the Basque Coast.
