Add dates

Things to do in
French Basque Country

Our most recommended things to do in French Basque Country

From Bilbao: Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz, San Sebastian Tour

1. From Bilbao: Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz, San Sebastian Tour

Explore Biarritz and the delightful coastal village of Saint Jean de Luz on this full-day guided tour from Bilbao. Feel a salty breeze near the coast, marveling at the expanse of the blue ocean. Tuck into a tasty local treat before heading into Spain to visit San Sebastian's charming streets. We begin the tour with a guided visit to Biarritz in the French Basque Country, a summer resort for the European Royalty. Discover the best views of the city and its most famous corners. Head to Saint Jean de Luz, a quaint coastal village where you will have time to enjoy the charming streets. Finally, stop in San Sebastian with free time for lunch and to discover the old town, followed by a visit to Mount Igueldo with its spectacular panoramic views over the city. Tasting of local gourmet basque sweet included.

From Bilbao: Biarritz and San Sebastian Full-Day Tour

2. From Bilbao: Biarritz and San Sebastian Full-Day Tour

Delight in the renowned beaches of Biarritz, meander through the narrow streets of Saint Jean De Luz and marvel at the architectural beauty of San Sebastian on this full day tour from Bilbao. Follow the highway towards the east, through stunning natural landscapes, to arrive at Biarritz. Known as the Beach of Kings, it was a magnet for famous and royalty such as Napoleon III, Gary Cooper, and Frank Sinatra, and is still nowadays a very important tourist destination. Stroll through the old port, the Virgin on the Rock, and the scenic streets of this sea-side village. Next, following the panoramic coastal road views, you will continue onto Saint Jean De Luz, a lovely small village located on the French Basque coast. The house of Louis XIV, the Church of Saint Jean Baptist, and charming narrow streets are tourist highlights. Continue the last leg of journey to San Sebastian, the most beautiful city in the Basque Country. Enjoy a guided walking tour into the old historical quarter where some free time for lunch. In the afternoon, you will make a sightseeing tour where you will discover the magnificent views of the Igeldo mount and return back to Bilbao.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Basque country: Boat tour along the Coast

3. Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Basque country: Boat tour along the Coast

The purpose of the boat tour is to help you discover the Basque coast in a different way, by getting as close as possible to the remarkable sites. Leaving from the port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz you will discover the bay of Loya, a little jewel of the Basque coast wedged between the cliffs of the corniche and Hendaye, and overlooked by the castle of Abbadia. We will then head towards Cap Figuier, the beginning of the Spanish coast, the water there is often transparent and very calm. We will make a small stop for swimming and coffee for those who wish. On the way back we will also visit the port of Socoa dominated by its fort.

From San Sebastian: Biarritz & Basque Coast Tour with Lunch

4. From San Sebastian: Biarritz & Basque Coast Tour with Lunch

See the towns along France’s Basque coast on this full-day tour from San Sebastian. Visit fishing villages like Saint Jean de Luz, or villages on the beach such as Biarritz where people from all around the world spend their summer enjoying Basque gastronomy and surfing.  Begin with a stop in Bayonne, a charming small city full of historic buildings and a quaint downtown. Admire harbors with fishing boats as well as popular surfing spots.  In Biarritz, enjoy watching the activity of the young surfers in front of the high-end casinos and traditional restaurants. Walk with your guide through the villages and travel along the coast by private transportation.   During the tour, your group will make a stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy a 2-course lunch at the restaurant with dessert included. The tour ends with drop-off at your hotel. 

From San Sebastian: Biarritz & French Basque Coast Day Trip

5. From San Sebastian: Biarritz & French Basque Coast Day Trip

Experience the best of the French section of the Basque Coast on this day trip from San Sebastián. Explore Saint Jean de Luz, Biarritz, Hondarribia, and Guethary. Discover quaint fishing villages, Michelin-starred cuisine, and breathtaking views.  After getting picked up from your hotel, travel to the city of Biarritz. Here, learn about the city's history as a surfer mecca and enjoy a walk along the seaside promenade. Stop by Les Halles market to experience the best of French cuisine including its cheeses, its charcuterie, and its bakeries and patisseries. Continue to Guethary and learn why Madonna was so captivated by the charming and peaceful seaside village. Next, head to the birthplace of the macaron, the Maison Adam patisserie in Saint Jean de Luz, and learn about the town's pirate history. Travel along the Route de la Corniche to reach Hondarribia, a city at the forefront of world cuisine. Stop for lunch and choose from pintxos or Michelin-starred dining. On the way back, take in views of the Basque coast and Mount Jaizkibel.

From San Sebastian: Flavors of French Basque Country Tour

6. From San Sebastian: Flavors of French Basque Country Tour

Embark on a guided gastronomic adventure through the French Basque Coast of Iparralde, one of the most picturesque regions on the Atlantic Coast. Explore the seaside villages of Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz & Guethary and sample its local specialties. Meet your guide in the morning and be introduced to the history of the area. Enjoy a spectacular drive along the corniche basque to Saint Jean de Luz. Start your culinary journey with a visit to the local ‘affineur’, an expert who receives cheese from producers and holds it in their shop until it’s ready to eat. Sample a selection of ‘raised’ by affineur cheeses. Sip French Basque wine from Irulegui. Next up, take a stroll along the streets of the town listening to the thrilling stories of local pirates, corsairs, sailors, and fishermen. Enjoy free time to visit the 13th-century church of St. John the Baptist with its remarkable hull-shaped wood-paneled vault. If you'd like to try local foie gras, be taken to a farm store stocked with this French delicacy.  To complete your trip to Saint Juan de Luz, visit the pastry shop where macarons were first created in 1660. Buy these confections and head to the surfing and food paradise of Biarritz. After having a glimpse of the Biarritz lighthouse, continue to Les Halles neighborhood and its vibrant food market.  Visit the market’s most-loved bar where locals stop for a seafood aperitif while shopping. Explore the area like a local by trying oysters, shrimps, and snails from Arcachon. Pair your meal with a glass of great white wine from Bordeaux.  Then, discover the truffle heaven, a bar specializing in truffle-flavored charcuterie and gourmet products from the region. Next, make some room for pintxos.  From Biarritz, go back to the other side and explore the picturesque fishing village of Hondarribia. Taste some of the best pintxos in an award-winning restaurant. Learn about modern Basque cuisine and discuss the differences between French Basque and Spanish Basque food. At the end of the day, return to San Sebastian with a full belly and lots of memories.

From San Sebastián: Private Biarritz & San Juan de Luz Tour

7. From San Sebastián: Private Biarritz & San Juan de Luz Tour

Dive into a six-hour exclusive tour from San Sebastián, where the elegance of Biarritz and the charm of Saint Jean de Luz come alive with your personal guide and a luxury vehicle for seamless travel, including hotel pickup and drop-off. The adventure starts with a drive from San Sebastián to Saint Jean de Luz, nestled in the New Aquitaine region. This delightful town beckons with its historic allure and inviting beaches. Wander through its lovely streets, explore the ancient port, visit the expansive main beach, discover the Maison de Louis XIV, and admire the Baroque elegance of the Saint Jean Baptiste Church, among other treasures. Next, the journey takes you to Biarritz, a prestigious city known for its surf, luxury, and history, also located in New Aquitaine. Here, explore major attractions including the Sea Museum, Saint Martin Church, the Russian Orthodox Church reflecting the heritage of Russian nobility, the Imperial Chapel, the opulent casinos by the seafront, and Place Clemenceau, the city's historic heart. After fully experiencing Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz, your private driver ensures a comfortable return to your San Sebastián hotel or a preferred location within the city.

Private E-bike Guided Tour

8. Private E-bike Guided Tour

Explore without limit the must-see sites of the city of the Basque coast towards in a fun and private way, on our latest generation E-bikes. Discover the diversity of the Basque coast through its art of living, its gastronomy, its architectural & cultural identity and its festive spirit. This loop circuit is ideal for singles, couples, & families wanting a ride without technical difficulty. Your ride can start from from either Biarritz, Guethary, Bidart or Saint Jean de Luz, depending on your hotel location, and will follow towards the iconic points of interestof the Bask Coast. You will enjoy the safe and lovely cycle paths during this relaxing stroll that is perfect for nature and ocean lovers. Stop planned during the coastal ride, on the edge of the ocean to enjoy scenic views & secret spots.

Biarritz: 1.5-Hour Group Surf Lesson

9. Biarritz: 1.5-Hour Group Surf Lesson

Enjoy surf lessons open to everyone from beginners to skilled surfers. Discover the famous Biarritz, the French capital of surfing. You’ll be provided with a soft board for your lesson.    Learn to surf with professional instructors.  You’ll start your lesson with a warm up and instructions about your board. Practice standing up on your board on the beach before heading out to try your skills out in the waves.      Guests should be aware that surf lessons only take place during low tide, so the time of the lessons change every day.  Come out and soak up the sun and enjoy the local atmosphere while riding the waves of beautiful Biarritz.

From San Sebastian: French-Basque Countryside Private Tour

10. From San Sebastian: French-Basque Countryside Private Tour

The first stop on the tour is Saint Jean Pied De Port which is considered the start point on the famous St. James Way, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. The Basque language is still spoken on both sides of the border of this stunning medieval town. Next, it's the town of Bidarray, an off the track town in the countryside. Drive along the famous Pass Du Roland to get to Espelette town. Labourd style houses make this town unique, as it's known for its dried red peppers hanging from their facades. Taste some of the typical products of the region. Ainhoa is known for its church, a cemetery full of the traditional disc-topped monuments and white and red houses - a very typical Basque village. Finally, it's Sare, one of the most beautiful villages. Placed at the base of the first mountain in the Pyrenees mountain range, La Rhune, Sare is a major prehistoric site and has carefully preserved.

All activities

34 activities found
Sort by:

Other Sightseeing Options in French Basque Country

Want to discover all there is to do in French Basque Country? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about French Basque Country

Overall rating

4.5
(121 reviews)

We truly enjoyed this tour. It was a great way to see two beautiful places in one day. Our tour guide Bo was extremely knowledgeable, super friendly and really gave us five star service. Both Biarittz and San Sebastian were really pretty and had a great vibe. We enjoyed coffee in the morning at a French Café and having lunch in San Sebastian. I would say the highlight of the trip was the incredible view that Bo took us to overlook San Sebastian. It was breathtaking. We also made new friends. This is the day well spent, and we would recommend it to anybody.

We had a great tour with Alex. He arrived on time in a comfortable van and was a very careful and safe driver. Alex was knowledgeable about a range of topics- Basque history, food, wine, culture, and fishing. We had plenty of time to walk around the 3 towns, doing some shopping, and sampling the local pastries. Overall a great trip and much more enjoyable than trying to drive ourselves.

It was a splendid tour despite a few rain showers. Our tour guide/driver, Borga, was great! As a historian, he has a lot of background to share about the Basque history and culture. It was a very educational experience. The places we visited were very interesting and beautiful. I will surely recommend this day-tour!.

Great knowledge of history and actual facts of the areas I visited and gave hints of where to eat and what are the interesting places to see and visit.

The guide was extremely competent, helpful and an excellent driver!