Basque Country | Things to Do
Here are some of our favorite things to do in the area.
Our Favorite Restaurants
Great food in and around Sare:
- Hotel Arraya – And don’t forget the the cherry gâteau basque sold out front (Lolo’s favorite)
- Hotel Restaurant Trabenia – We haven’t tried this yet, but comes highly recommended from the chef at Hotel Arraya.
Great food in and around Saint Jean de Luz:
- L’escale – A small, well chosen menu. The grilled calimari (“chipirons”) are delicious
- Maison Ama – A little bit of asian fusion but mostly just delicious fish and an amazing asparagus first course
- Erdiko – We had very good fish stew, grilled calimari, and short ribs here. Kind of a chic space near the beach with outdoor dining. Full menu until 10 pm and half the menu until 11 or 11:30 pm.
- Cafe de Paris – Picturesque place on the water. Another great place the locals frequent for grilled calimari (“chipirons”). The deserts are pretty good too. Service gets slow when it’s busy.
- Arraina – On the water near Fort Socoa, this is a very good seafood restaurant with some meat options as well.
- La Mia Toscana – Simple place with pizza done well
- Akeita Coffee – A relaxed place that does simple breakfast, brunch, and lunch well. Most importantly it has okay coffee and doesn’t close in the middle of the day.
Hiking in the French Basque Country
The region is home to some of the most beautiful and unique hikes in Europe. Download the AllTrails app to discover all the trails in the area.
One of our favorite hikes is la Rhune, a hard but beautiful hike. Lolo used to hike it with her family when she was a kid. You can also take the tourist train to the top of the mountain.
Explore Sare
Sare is a classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
One fun and informative activity is visiting the Grottes de Sare prehistoric caves on a guided tour.
Explore Surrounding Villages and Towns
The Basque country is home to several villages classified by the French government as ‘the most beautiful villages in France’. One of our favorites is Ainhoa village.
Bayonne and Biarritz are the largest towns of the region. Bayonne is classified as a City of Art and History and offers a number of things to do. Biarritz is a fashionable seaside town and is world renowned for its surfing.
Hit the Beach
Visit the beaches along the coast in Saint Jean de Luz (quintessential seaside town).
Drive the Coastal Highway
See the beautiful sights along highway D-912 (“La route de la Corniche“) from Saint Jean de Luz to Hendaye.
Rent Bikes and Explore
Biking is a popular activity in the Basque region. Bike rental places are pretty much everywhere.
Explore San Sebastian and Bilbao in Spanish Basque Country
“Framed by golden beaches and lush hillsides, San Sebastián has undeniable allure, from its venerable dining scene to its grand architecture and packed cultural calendar.”
“Bilbao, an industrial port city in northern Spain, is surrounded by green mountains. It’s famed for the Frank Gehry–designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which sparked revitalization when it opened in 1997. The museum houses prominent modern and contemporary works, but it’s the curvy, titanium-clad building that receives the most attention.”