Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and San Sebastián Tour Bilbao

Biarritz, the royal seaside resort

Biarritz rose to fame in the nineteenth century, when Empress Eugénie persuaded Napoleon III to build a summer villa on the beach, now the Hôtel du Palais. European royalty followed, and the town kept its elegant seafront, its Art Deco buildings and a lighthouse over the headland.

On a Biarritz tour from Bilbao you see the Grande Plage, the promenade and the Rock of the Virgin, a rocky islet reached by a footbridge. Biarritz is also the cradle of European surfing, so you may see surfers on the waves. Is Biarritz worth visiting for a day? Yes, for the sea views alone, and the guide adds the story behind the grand villas.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the harbour town

Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a colourful fishing port set in a sheltered bay, protected by breakwaters. In 1660 Louis XIV married the Spanish infanta Maria Theresa in the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, whose wooden galleries and painted ceiling are among the finest in the Basque Country.

The guided visit takes you through the pedestrian streets, past half-timbered houses with red and green shutters, and down to the harbour where boats still unload their catch. Many travellers searching for a day trip to Saint-Jean-de-Luz enjoy the small-town atmosphere, a relaxed contrast to the larger resorts on either side of it.

San Sebastián and Mount Igueldo

San Sebastián, or Donostia, sits around the curve of La Concha Bay, with a sandy city beach, a promenade and an old town of narrow lanes and lively squares. After the French stops you arrive here for a sightseeing visit and some time to explore.

The highlight is Mount Igueldo, the hill at the western end of the bay. Access is included, and its viewpoint gives one of the best panoramas over the city, the beach and the open sea. Searching for the best view in San Sebastián usually leads here. Visit on a clear day if you can, and bring a light layer, as the top is breezier than the town below.

Crossing the border and the Basque coast

The route follows the Basque coast between two countries, so you move in a single day from Spain to France and back. The guide uses the drive to describe Basque language, traditions and the landscapes between Bilbao and the border. A minibus or coach is used depending on group size.

Because the tour crosses into France, carry a valid passport or national identity card. The guide helps with timing at each stop so the day runs smoothly. Lunch is not included, and the meeting point in Bilbao is shown on your voucher after booking, with the full group leaving together at 08:20.