Hola! We're looking for the best base from which to visit Donostia/SS, Hondarribia, St. Jean de Luz, Pasai Donibane, Getaria, Zumaia (any others?) in the first half of May 2023. We will have a car and will be looking for easy access to sites within an hour drive. How many days are suggested if we average 1/2 to 1 day per town? 3 to 5 days? We prefer charm/quaint, scenery, history. We don't like to change locations too frequently. We understand that the area receives a lot of rain. We will choose another location closer to Bilbao for the towns and villages closer there. Thank you, for taking the time to answer!
Posted by
Washington DC
28082 posts
I've been to that area but without a car, so my response is based on a look at the map and the driving-time estimates provided by ViaMichelin.com.
Hondarribia is just about dead in the middle of that stretch, based on driving time, and it is a very attractive place. On the lower (water) level are some restaurants, then there's a medieval area up on the hill. As of 2016 the local tourist office was somewhat obscurely located on the waterfront, a fair walk beyond the restaurants. I only day tripped to Hondarribia, but I don't think it has a great many sights. I think I might go a bit stir crazy there if I stayed a long time and was returning from my sightseeing jaunts by mid-afternoon. It would be fine if you were gone for most of the day.
I don't know anything about the hotel situation in Hondarribia. I think you'd be smart to investigate the availability of parking before making a final decision.
If you're going to Zumaia and Getaria, you may as well hit Zarautz also.
On the French side of the border I really liked Bayonne. It's a small city rather than a beachy holiday town. It has some museums. The chocolate museum had a very generous tasting room as of 2017. Decent chocolate; not 100-euros-per-kilo chocolate.
Not having a car, I didn't get to any of the small inland villages in that part of France. I believe Rick mentions them--perhaps briefly--in his guide to Spain. Since you'll have a vehicle, I'd give serious thought to seeing at least one or two of them.
Posted by
OP
America's Vancouver and the First
111 posts
Gracias acraven. You have so much good info to share. To be sure, we'll be going inland as we're driving from Zaragoza through Rioja. I wanted to ask my questions in area specific chunks so those will come later .
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7157 posts
We spent no more than three hours in each Getaria and Zumaia. Taking the back road along the coast they are less than four miles apart. Check for parking locations and plug them into your navigation system, or bookmark them on Google maps. That will save time when arriving in town. In Zumaia we parked along Julio Beobide Ibilbidea. In 2017 it was free, but may not be any longer. There are actual parking lots in the town. From where we parked we walked to the beach, saw the flysch rock formations, then walked up to San Telmo chapel and the point.
In Getaria we parked along Sahatsaga Ibilbidea. It was free, if you can find a spot, and very near the port.
To me, Hondarrbia is worth a full day at most. The historic center at the top of the hill is fairly compact. It can be reached by an elevator on Sabin Arana Goiri Kalea across from Javier Ugarte Park if you don’t feel like walking up the hill. We stayed at the Parador in the historic center. It is pricey. The lower town is where most of the restaurants are located.
Across the border we stayed in Bayonne. Unfortunately, when we were there it was a holiday and most places were closed. We stayed at the ibis Styles Bayonne Centre Gare. It’s in a great location and reasonably priced. Having been in that area previously we didn’t spend much time visiting Saint Jean de Luz or Biarritz. From Bayonne we drove over to Saint Jean Pied de Port then back into Spain.
We spent 20+ days in mainly La Rioja and Aragón last May and could have used more. There are plenty of things to see. Rather than making a list, here’s a link to photos from that trip. Maybe you’ll get some ideas if you haven’t researched that area yet.
Posted by
OP
America's Vancouver and the First
111 posts
Gracias, jaimeelsabio...Your information is quite helpful for the amount of time you spent in the little villages. We are probably half-day people as well. I agree, it will be helpful to plot the parking on google. I will have questions about La Rioja and Aragon (sorry for the lack of accent) and I've peeked at your lovely photos so we will chat more about that! We don't have a need to stay IN a village and I will be checking to see what is available in the area of Hondarribia or Donastia.