WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN HONDARRIBIA (FUENTERRABIA)

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Hondarribia It is the last Basque population before the French border. In the houses we see on the other side of the Bidasoa river, good morning with a “Bonjour”, is Hendaye. But don't be in such a hurry to leave, if you just arrived! And you have done it to one of the most beautiful villages in the Basque Country, if not the most. In Hondarribia (or Fuenterrabia in Spanish) there are all the factors to conquer the traveler: a well-preserved medieval historical center, a fishing neighborhood of colorful houses and an unbeatable gastronomy. If you decide to visit it, surely these ideas come in handy with the best things to see and do in Hondarribia.

First of all you have to differentiate between your two neighborhoods more important:

The historic center: the old quarter of medieval origin that still retains remains of its walls, with stone palaces and charming streets.
La Marina: is the neighborhood where fishermen resided, with small houses with colored facades.

Park the car near the Plaza San Juan de Dios and start the visit to the old town. Here you can not miss the following:

Santa Maria Gate. It has been the gateway to the town for centuries, so we cannot start the visit in any other way. Look at the shield of the city carved over the arch.

Nagusi Kalea. Although the name at the moment sounds weird, weird, it is neither more nor less than Calle Mayor (you will see that it is repeated in other Basque towns). When you cross the arch you will enter this cobbled and steep street directly, surrounded by some of the most emblematic buildings in Hondarribia.

Church of Our Lady of Manzano. At the end of Main Street is this impressive Gothic church. The protruding bell tower was built somewhat later, following the baroque style. If it is open do not miss the opportunity and check out its interior and its organ.

Main Square. This is the main square of the city, the place where ammunition and weapons were stored (hence its name) and where celebrations, appointments and even bullfights were held.

Carlos V. Castle If you are not blind, it will not be difficult to recognize it. It is the mole that rises on the side of the Plaza de Armas. In the 10th century it was built as a fortress and for centuries it has been the residence of the governors of the city. Even here they have come to host royals. Now you can do it yourself, since 1968 it is a Tourism Parador. Even if you don't have a reservation in a room, you can always reach the bar and get an idea of the interior of the palace.

Gipuzkoa Square. This corner of the historic center of Hondarribia is one of our favorites. It is a small medieval square surrounded by arcades and with a very interesting ambient. There are several bars and terraces where you can stop and take the first pintxo of the day (don't binge because a few more come).

The door of St. Nicholas. It is the other gateway to the city. If you cross the bridge that crosses the moat (now Harresilanda Street) you will have the best views of the old walls. You can even walk down to get to theBulwark of the Queen.

We see that you cannot wait, that your stomach begins to complain and there is already a desire for pintxos, right? Well, it's what happened to us right now. So it is best to go to the La Marina neighborhood, near the old port and where fishermen's houses were concentrated.

Take a walk and look at the traditional Basque houses, with their colorful facades and balconies full of flowers. Get up and down theSan Pedro Street and choose the place to take some pintxos and pots. The choice is not easy, because the number of bars and restaurants is huge, but we are sure that you will not fail!

And after this, to lower the food, walk the Butrón Walk towards the Cantabrian or back to the parking lot by the Bidasoa Walk. Either roasting yourself in the sun (very lucky) or taking a dip in the Hondarribia Beach, at the north end of the city and past the new port. Or catch the car and go up to the Guadalupe Shrine, with beautiful views of the estuary. Or since you are, cross the border (by car or by boat) and visit the nearby Hendaye.

As you see, there are lots of things to see and do in Hondarribia. For us, the most beautiful village in the Basque Country.

Useful information

:: Where to park in Hondarribia?

There are several free places to park in Hondarribia. On both sides of the roundabout in the Plaza San Juan de Dios there are areas with many places (parking 1 and 2 on the map). On the way back we also saw quite a lot of places in the white area on Paseo Bidasoa (parking 3), although we are not sure if it is easy to get here with the car. As always, be careful of the OTA signs, the areas for residents.

:: How to get to Hondarribia?

It is located 20 km from San Sebastian. If you come by car, it will be easy for you. If you do not have, from San Sebastian there are buses with the Lurralde Bus company that leave from the Plaza Gipuzkoa and arrive in Hondarribia in 30-45 minutes. The suburbs of Renfe arrive in Irún, from there you can take another bus to Hondarribia.

:: Where to eat in Hondarribia?

It is best to go to the neighborhood of La Marina. In the streets of San Pedro and Santiago there are lots of bars and restaurants to eat. There are places with daily menus and others where you can have a drink and choose the pintxos that most attract your attention. We went to Yola Berri and super good! The pintxos cost € 1.60 - € 1.80 and the cowboy € 1.20.

:: Where to sleep in Hondarribia?

Here you have a banner with the best offers to stay in Hondarribia:

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