A weekend in Hendaye, in the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, will immerse you in the unique ambiance of the Basque Country. Spend your first day in France, visit the city and admire the Basque Corniche. Then head back up the beach and enjoy the stunning views of the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean. Have lunch in a restaurant on the waterfront and try the local culinary specialties. Be sure to visit the Château d’Abbadie. The next day, take a boat to Fontarrabie, Spain, and enjoy its warm atmosphere before making a stop in the old walled city.
A week-long stay in Hendaye in the Basque Country gives you time to discover an exhilarating destination. Enjoy Hendaye, then Fontarrabie, before exploring the Basque coast and its major cities, including Biarritz and Bayonne in France, and San Sebastian in Spain. In these areas, you'll find plenty of traditional villages to visit, like Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Espelette. For a stunning panorama of the region, head to the Col d’Ibardin. On the way, find Campanile hotels in Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, for example.
Traveling to Hendaye for a family stay is a great way to enjoy all that the ocean has to offer. With young children, you’ll prefer the Hendaye and St. Jean-de-Luz beaches, which are more sheltered and secure. You can also hike through the Pyrenees to reach the Col d’Ibardin or Larrun, which can also be accessed by cable car. As you ascend, you’ll see pottoka, the wild ponies that are native to the Basque Country, cows and even sheep roaming wild and free.