Vacations in the Basque Country
Discover the Basque Country
If you want to discover the Basque Country, our Pays Basque campsite has the ideal location!
The Basque Country is a land rich in culture and history, stretching from the Atlantic Pyrenees to the north of Spain, and is characterized by outstanding panoramas. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, it boasts a surprising coastline, renowned for its board sports and fine sandy beaches.
Numerous dunes shelter users from the wind, while green hills with a variety of fruit trees dot the landscape.
For beautiful hikes and wonderful discoveries
The charms of the Basque coast are attracting more and more holidaymakers. Once conquered, they don’t hesitate to invest in property in this exceptional region.
Built and natural heritage are not the only assets of the Basque Country: gastronomy is a veritable institution. Whether it’s Espelette pepper, Bayonne ham or chilled sangria, you’ll find plenty of local delicacies on the market stalls of the Basque Country.
Soak up the atmosphere of the South-West and take full advantage of the popular festivals: Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Hendaye and Bidart will give you a warm welcome to experience the local traditions.
What to do in the Basque Country | 6 must-see destinations
From Anglet to Bidassoa, the Basque Country’s charms are hard to resist. A surfer’s paradise with world-famous spots, rich in generous and typical gastronomy, discover the Basque coast through the towns that make it famous.
The Spanish Basque Country
San Sebastián:
While on vacation in the Spanish Basque Country, the beautiful city of San Sebastián is a must-see. Let yourself be carried away by the frenetic pace of this exotic, old-fashioned city, so charming in the heart of the Spanish Basque Country. Nestled in the heart of a gentle mountainous landscape, it boasts two superb golden-sand beaches, La Concha and Ondarreta. Take the funicular up to the summit of Mont Igueldo for a breathtaking view of the bay. In the evening, stroll through the streets of the historic center, and sample the famous pintxos, miniature culinary marvels of this gastronomic capital of the world.
Bilbao:
A city of many faces, Bilbao has preserved its historic grandeur, with the Plaza Nueva, the Town Hall, the Ribeira market and the Church of San Nicolás bearing witness to a glorious past, while at the same time becoming a contemporary cultural player. The Guggenheim Museum, which opened its doors in 1997, continues to enchant the world with its unmistakably innovative architecture. An absolute must-see, it is the city’s tourism engine.
Vitoria-Gasteiz:
Capital of Euskadi, Vitoria-Gasteiz is a charming inland town, where life is good and strolling is a pleasure. It boasts the best-preserved medieval historic center in the Basque Country, as well as a prodigious “Renaissance” architectural heritage. Don’t miss the Musée des Beaux-Arts, where you can learn about Basque art from 1850 to 1950 and immerse yourself in 18th- and 19th-century Spanish art. Visit Santa María Cathedral, in pure Gothic style, which has been under renovation since 1994. You can see first-hand the excavations of the 13th-century sanctuary!
The French Basque Country
Bayonne:
Situated on the banks of the River Adour, the city is the gateway to the French Basque Country, and proudly displays its colors during the “Fêtes de Bayonne”, which last 5 days every summer. The city welcomes some 1.5 million visitors, all dressed in red and white. Corridas, fireworks, funfairs and many other events are on the program. But Bayonne is well worth a visit at any time. Nestled within the citadel and ramparts is the historic center, with its typical half-timbered houses, maze of narrow streets, Sainte-Marie cathedral and lively atmosphere. For gourmets, don’t miss the ham museum, Les Halles and the famous chocolate academy!
Biarritz:
Majestically built facing the ocean, Biarritz is worth a visit just to admire its long golden sandy beach, whipped up by the ocean waves, one of the most beautiful beaches on the Basque coast, where experienced surfers glide. The town is also Europe’s historic surfing capital. With its charming hotels, art deco casino on the beach and grand neo-renaissance mansions, Biarritz has retained the fragrance and ambience of the luxurious seaside towns of yesteryear. Boasting an exceptional environment, it offers numerous water sports activities, thalassotherapy centers and unforgettable walks.
Saint-Jean-De-Luz:
A charming, lively seaside resort and former corsair town, Saint-Jean-De-Luz is also a dynamic little fishing port between the ocean and the mountains. The Grande Plage, right in the center of town, is ideal for a family day out, where you can enjoy all kinds of water sports or simply stroll along the embankment. A number of remarkable monuments are well worth a visit, including the Maison Louis XIV and the sumptuous, baroque Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Treat yourself to a gourmet break in one of the three boutiques of Maison Adam, famous since 1660 for its succulent macaroons.
What to do in the Basque Country when it rains?
It’s not impossible that the rain will fall during your stay in the Basque Country. In that case, don’t panic, here’s a “to-do list” that will make you forget the bad weather in no time.
- The Aquarium Musée de la mer de Biarritz: housed in a superb Art Deco building facing the Rocher de la Vierge, the aquarium plunges you into the wonderful world of the seabed, with almost 5,000 species. Come and admire seahorses, jellyfish, mandarin fish and clown fish. Watch the seals in the seal tank. During the summer, the aquarium stays open until midnight for a magical visit;
- Château-Observatoire Abbadia in Hendaye: a surprising visit to a neo-Gothic château built in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc for Antoine d’Abbadie. From libraries to reading rooms, via monumental staircases and hushed boudoirs, discover a world where exoticism meets Irish rigor, knowledge meets eccentricity. A magical must-see!
- the Grottes d’Isturitz and Oxocelhaya: a visit to captivate the whole family, just 30 minutes from Biarritz! The caves are an exceptional prehistoric and geological site classified as a historic monument. One features rock engravings and objects from the daily lives of prehistoric man, while the other is a magical sanctuary of stalagmites, stalactites, waterfalls and columns;
- Les Halles de Biarritz: food-lovers are in for a treat with over 40 stalls of gourmet foods. Charcuterie and Basque cheeses rub shoulders with the region’s finest pastries. It’s the perfect place to stock up on local produce;
- a Shape workshop: on vacation in surfer’s paradise, why not discover and observe the step-by-step manufacture of the legendary board? Let yourself be carried away by the sure and precise gestures of these exceptional craftsmen;
- Musée Basque et de l’Histoire de Bayonne: make the most of the rain to discover this beautiful museum, with 20 themed rooms and 3,000 m² of exhibition space, containing the richest collection of ethnography dedicated to the French Basque Country.
- The caves of Sare: a visit that will amaze young and old alike. On the edge of the Spanish border, discover this unique speleological site that was occupied by man during prehistoric times, as evidenced by the many tools and other utensils found on site;
- relaxation in a La Thalasso in Saint-Jean-de-Luz thalasso center: on a rainy day, you may want to take a break in one of the many thalasso centers on the Basque coast. Biarritz, Saint-Jean-De-Luz, Anglet and Bayonne all offer hammams, jacuzzis and jet pools, so now’s the time to take the plunge!
- Yoga in the Basque Country: Discover the practice of Kundalini Yoga in Hendaye and the Basque Country.
