Hondarribia
A walled town at the mouth of the Bidasoa River on the French border, with cobbled streets and colourful fishermen's houses, and pintxos to rival San Sebastián's.
Hondarribia lies about 20 kilometres east of San Sebastián, on the west bank of the Bidasoa River mouth, directly across from Hendaye in France. The old town is completely enclosed by walls. Beyond the gate, steep cobbled streets lead to stone houses with wooden balconies and family coats of arms.
At the highest point, the Plaza de Armas, stands a castle first built in the 10th century and expanded under Charles V. It is now a state-run hotel (Parador). Outside the walls, the Marina district is the old fishermen's quarter, where houses have wooden windows painted in bright green, blue, and red, and the streets are lined with pintxos bars.
Outside town are beaches and a coastal path, and boats from the harbour run across to Hendaye in France. The bus from San Sebastián takes about 40 minutes, making it ideal for a half-day trip.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Pasai Donibane
- Mount Ulia
- Zurriola Beach
- Kursaal Congress Centre and Auditorium
- Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
- San Telmo Museum
- Parte Vieja, San Sebastián
- Basilica of Santa María del Coro