Hôtel du Palais
Why we like it: The former summer villa of Empress Eugénie, a hotel since the late 19th century and a Palace-rated hotel since 2011. For a special night with the beach below.
Duration2 nights
From Bilbao1 h 35 by car
Best timeMay · June · September
Budget€220–380 pp
Without a carTopo and regional train
The plan
The plan, hour by hour
Designed to arrive on Friday afternoon and sleep two nights in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, which has a railway station and sits in the middle of everything. From April to October the La Rhune train and the boat run; from November to March, see the alternatives at the end.
Friday
- 119:00Arrival in Saint-Jean-de-Luz
From Bilbao, an hour and a half by the AP-8; from Pamplona, an hour and a quarter. Leave the car at the hotel and have dinner in the old town, around the place Louis XIV.
Saturday
- 109:30Rack railway up La Rhune
You leave from the Col de Saint-Ignace, a quarter of an hour from the hotel. Two and a half hours return with 1 h 20 at the summit, at 905 m, with the coast from Biarritz to Hondarribia at your feet.
- 212:30Lunch in Espelette and a stroll in Ainhoa
Inland Basque cooking at the Euzkadi, beside the pelota court, and in the afternoon the street of Labourd houses in Ainhoa, ten kilometres away.
- 318:00Harbour and old town
Back in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, where Louis XIV married in 1660, and the fishing port at sunset.
Sunday
- 110:00Surf lesson at the Côte des Basques
An hour and a half of beginners' tuition on Biarritz's school beach, with board and wetsuit. If you do not fancy the water, the Atalaye aquarium is next door.
- 212:30Tapas at Les Halles de Biarritz
The covered market is open until two and the bars around it serve as a counter.
- 314:30Boat along the corniche to Hondarribia
The Nivelle V leaves the port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and skirts the flysch cliffs of Socoa and Abbadia to the mouth of the Bidasoa. Outside July and August, at 14:30; in summer, at 14:00. When it ends, head home.
The French Basque Coast is thirty kilometres from Hendaye to Biarritz, half an hour from San Sebastián and an hour and a half from Bilbao, Vitoria or Pamplona. For a weekend, the centre is Saint-Jean-de-Luz: the fishing port with a pedestrian old town, fifteen minutes from the La Rhune train and twenty from Biarritz. This plan combines what is most worthwhile in two days: the coast seen from the summit and from the sea, the villages of Lapurdi and a surf lesson.
What do you need to book?
Three things, a few days ahead. The La Rhune train, on its website, because queues form in season and cash is not accepted. The Nivelle V cruise along the corniche to Hondarribia, by phone only. And the surf lesson, which is set by each day's tide. For eating, Chez Pablo in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, which closes Wednesday and Thursday, and the Euzkadi in Espelette, which closes Sunday night, Monday and Tuesday.
| What | How much | When |
|---|---|---|
| La Rhune train | €26 adult, €18 ages 4 to 12 (2026) | Late March – early November |
| Cruise to Hondarribia | €22, €15 under-10s | April – October |
| Surf lesson in Biarritz | From €45 | April – November |
| Biarritz Aquarium | €17, €12 ages 4 to 12 | All year |
Where to sleep?
In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the Grand Hôtel Loreamar is on the beach promenade, with a seawater spa and a kids' club, and the Hôtel Les Almadies is a small hotel in a Basque house on the rue Gambetta, 300 metres from the beach and the station. In Biarritz, the Hôtel du Palais, the former summer villa of Empress Eugénie, is the hotel for a special night. For camping, La Ferme Erromardie and the Camping Bord de Mer are beside Erromardie beach, north of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. For motorhomes, the municipal area in Hendaye is the first one after crossing from Irún.
Without a car and in winter
Without a car, Euskotren's Topo takes you from San Sebastián to Hendaye and the regional train continues to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz; for La Rhune and Espelette you need a car or taxi. From November to March neither the La Rhune train nor the boat runs, and the Maison Louis XIV closes: swap Saturday for the Abbadia castle in Hendaye, which opens in the afternoons, and the coastal path from Bidart to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, which can be done all year.
Map
The stops, in order
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Plan the trip
French Basque Coast, step by step
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
When to go to French Basque Coast
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Best timeGood timeLow season
How you travel
The same break, your way
The plan stays the same. What changes is where you sleep, how you get there and how much you spend.
By Car: A Base on the Coast, Excursions Inland
The car is what takes you to Espelette, Ainhoa and the La Rhune train, which are far from the railway. On the coast, though, parking is expensive and slow: leave the car at the hotel and get around on foot or by bus.
110–180 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHôtel Les Almadies, in the…
- Getting aroundA-63 motorway from Irún, tolled…
- EatingOld-town home-cooking restaurants, €20 to…
- ServicesPaid car parks in the…
Where to sleep
- Hôtel Les Almadies, in the pedestrian centre of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- Hôtel du Palais, if it is a special night in Biarritz
Getting around
- A-63 motorway from Irún, tolled; the corniche road between Socoa and Hendaye, toll-free
- Col de Saint-Ignace 15 minutes from Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Eating
- Old-town home-cooking restaurants, €20 to €35
- Euzkadi in Espelette, on the way back from the villages
Services
- Paid car parks in the centre of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz
Car-Free: The Coast Train Links Everything
It is one of the few coasts that works well without a car. From San Sebastián you take the Topo to Hendaye and there catch the regional train, which stops at the coastal towns as far as Bayonne.
90–150 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHôtel Les Almadies, 300 m…
- Getting aroundEuskotren Topo from San Sebastián…
- EatingSaint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz markets, near…
- ServicesCheck the inland bus timetables…
Where to sleep
- Hôtel Les Almadies, 300 m from Saint-Jean-de-Luz station
- Grand Hôtel Loreamar, on the beach and a short walk from the train
Getting around
- Euskotren Topo from San Sebastián to Hendaye
- Regional train Hendaye – Saint-Jean-de-Luz – Biarritz – Bayonne
- Txik Txak buses for Espelette and the Col de Saint-Ignace
Eating
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz markets, near the stations
- Chez Pablo, five minutes' walk from the station
Services
- Check the inland bus timetables: there are few a day
On a Budget: Palaces, Thalassotherapy and a Long Table
Biarritz was born as a spa resort for Napoleon III's court and it still feels like one. Here luxury is sleeping above the beach and spending the afternoon in a seawater spa.
€350 or moreper person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHôtel du Palais, the former…
- Getting aroundTaxi or chauffeur-driven car for…
- EatingThe hotels' own menus
- ServicesBook the spa when booking…
Where to sleep
- Hôtel du Palais, the former palace of Empress Eugénie
- Grand Hôtel Loreamar, with thalassotherapy on the Saint-Jean-de-Luz beach
Getting around
- Taxi or chauffeur-driven car for the inland villages
- Walks along the shore between the Lighthouse and the Rocher de la Vierge
Eating
- The hotels' own menus
- Maison Adam macarons to take away
Services
- Book the spa when booking the room in summer
Camping in the Bay of Erromardie
The Saint-Jean-de-Luz campsites are concentrated in the bay of Erromardie, north of the town, with the coastal path at the door and the centre 2 km away.
30–55 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepCamping Bord de Mer, small…
- Getting aroundOn foot or by bike…
- EatingShop at Les Halles in…
- ServicesIn July and August, book…
Where to sleep
- Camping Bord de Mer, small and right on the front line
- La Ferme Erromardie, larger and family-oriented
Getting around
- On foot or by bike to the centre along the coast
- Txik Txak bus towards Biarritz and Hendaye
Eating
- Shop at Les Halles in Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- Chipirones at Chez Pablo one night
Services
- In July and August, book your pitch weeks ahead
By Motorhome: An Area at the Border, Campsites on the Bay
In the centres of Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz there is no room for a motorhome. Sleep at the Hendaye area or at an Erromardie campsite and get around by train or bus.
15–50 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHendaye area, 25 pitches and…
- DrivingA-63 motorway or the Socoa…
- EatingCovered markets in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and…
- ServicesWater and waste disposal at…
Where to sleep
- Hendaye area, 25 pitches and open all year
- Camping Bord de Mer and La Ferme Erromardie, with services
Driving
- A-63 motorway or the Socoa corniche road, narrow in places
- Col de Saint-Ignace, with parking beside the train
Eating
- Covered markets in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz in the morning
Services
- Water and waste disposal at the Hendaye area, paid
- Maximum stay of 48 hours at the area
Fly to Biarritz or San Sebastián and drive along the coast
For anyone coming from far away, there are two gateways: Biarritz airport, right on the coast, and San Sebastián airport, in Hondarribia, a step from the border and about 20 minutes from Hendaye. From northern Spain, it is quicker by car. With a hire car you can combine Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Biarritz and the inland villages in a day; without a car, the coastal train and the Txik Txak buses link the towns.
- Getting thereBiarritz Pays Basque (BIQ), on…
- Getting aroundHire car at the airport
- Where to stayHôtel Les Almadies, in the…
- ServicesCar hire at Biarritz airport
Getting there
- Biarritz Pays Basque (BIQ), on the coast
- San Sebastián (EAS), in Hondarribia, next to the border
- Bilbao (BIO), with more flights, a little over an hour and a half by car
Getting around
- Hire car at the airport
- Coastal train between Hendaye, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz
- Topo from San Sebastián to Hendaye
Where to stay
- Hôtel Les Almadies, in the centre of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Services
- Car hire at Biarritz airport
- Txik Txak buses and the coastal train
How much does it cost?
People2
Nights2
Where to stay
Where to stay if you're drivingwithout a carin styleif you're campingin a campervanif you're flying
We show you what suits the way you travel.Change how you travel
Grand Hôtel Loreamar Thalasso & Spa
Why we like it: On the Saint-Jean-de-Luz beach promenade, with a seawater spa opened in 2007 and a club for children aged 4 to 12. The railway station is a short walk away.
Hôtel Les Almadies
Why we like it: A small hotel in a Basque house on rue Gambetta, 300 m from the beach and the station. No lift: bear it in mind with large suitcases.
Camping Bord de Mer
Why we like it: A small campsite, 2 km from the centre, that stretches 300 m along Erromardie beach. The coastal path passes in front.
Camping La Ferme Erromardie
Why we like it: A larger family campsite, in the same bay of Erromardie, open from late March to early November. Useful if Bord de Mer is full.
Campervan area
Hendaye Motorhome Area
Why we like it: The municipal area on rue Ansoenia, the first on crossing from Irún, with water, electricity and waste disposal (paid separately). Pay by card; it is close to the train and the tourist office.
From €15
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Services for this trip
Where to eat
Where to eat in French Basque Coast
Chez Pablo
What to order: Chipirones in their ink or the hake à la Pablo; for dessert, mamia or Basque cake.
Hôtel-Restaurant Euzkadi
What to order: veal axoa with Espelette pepper.
Takeaway and markets
Maison Adam, Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Les Halles de Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Les Halles de Biarritz, Biarritz
Tips
Worth knowing first
Local tip
Check the summit of La Rhune on the train's webcam before going up. If it is in cloud, swap the days: do Sunday's plan on Saturday.
We'd skip it
August by car. Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz grind to a halt, hotels double their prices and there is no room on the beach. If it is your only date, arrive by train.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Bilbao?
An hour and a half to Saint-Jean-de-Luz by the AP-8 and the A-63. From Vitoria, the same; from Pamplona, an hour and a quarter.
Do you need a car?
For the coast, no: the regional train links Hendaye, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz. For La Rhune and Espelette, yes.
Where is it better to sleep, Biarritz or Saint-Jean-de-Luz?
Saint-Jean-de-Luz is calmer, has a station in the centre and is closer to La Rhune. Biarritz is more of a city and more expensive.
Can you go with a dog?
Yes. The dog rides the La Rhune train with its own ticket and walks in the villages and on the coastal path. It is not allowed into the Abbadia castle.
Is it worth it in winter?
Yes, with a different plan: Abbadia castle, coastal path and old town. Without the La Rhune train or the boat, and with fewer people and better prices.