Road trip in the Basque Country: the best itinerary for a week

Fancy a week's road trip along the Atlantic coast? HawaiiSurf reveals the most beautiful places in the Basque Country to discover in a converted van. Discover our complete, easy-to-implement van itinerary to quench your thirst for adventure!

The Basque country: between ocean and mountains

Situated between the Atlantic Ocean, the mountains and Spain, the Basque Country is a treasure trove of diversity and beauty to discover. There are two Pays Basque: French and Spanish. Here, we'll focus on the French, taking into account the coastline as well. Rich in history, culture, sport and scenery, you'll never be bored! With surfing, rugby, pelota, rowing and Basque strength, there's plenty to keep you entertained... And then of course there are the summer festivities and village festivals. The Atlantic coast offers magnificent beaches, great surfing spots, beautiful walks and breathtaking sunsets! For mountain lovers, the hinterland and the Pyrenees abound with hikes and incredible views! Each town has its own particularities and story to tell, so all you have to do is discover them!

Parking rules to know before you leave

When it comes to parking, the best thing to do is contact your local town hall directly, to find out about the rules and the very definition of parking. According to the FFCC, " parking on a public road (street, parking lot, parking area) means parking your vehicle for a day or a night on its four tires, without any chock or external object". So be careful not to confuse parking with camping. If you unfold your awning or set up your outdoor furniture on the public highway, then you're camping and could be fined. The French Code de l'Urbanisme clearly stipulates the principle of free parking for motorhomes. Once installed on an authorized site, a van has the right to park both day and night (without chock and without external objects). However, there are certain limits.

The law does not authorize:

- Parking for more than 7 days in the same parking space.

- Parking for more than 3 months on a serviced lot.

- Dangerous or protected locations, such as shorelines, classified or listed sites, historic monument protection zones or nature reserves.

En cas de doute ou tout simplement pour anticiper vos points d’arrêts, on vous recommande fortement l’utilisation de « Park4night » ! Cette application vous indique tous les lieux autorisés pour dormir en van, les parkings classiques, les campings et les aires de stationnements. Vous aimeriez tenter l’expérience du road trip mais vous n’avez pas encore de van ? Si la location de vans aménagés Volkswagen vous intéresse, notre partenaire So Van se fera un plaisir de vous conseiller !

The Basque Country by van: the best itinerary for a week, in our opinion

1. Biarritz, the emblematic seaside town on the Atlantic coast.

Biarritz is a must if you're visiting the Basque coast! It's an emblematic town full of history. There's no shortage of anecdotes in Biarritz... surfing, history, museums, architecture, urban legends... you'll never tire of it! The city center is also full of great places to eat seafood, meat or party.

Villa Belza, Biarritz.

If the weather's not cooperating, you can also enjoy a hot chocolate at Miremont's while taking in the view of Biarritz's Grande Plage , or cuckoo to the seals at the Musée de la Mer. When it comes to sport, it would be a shame to come to Biarritz and not surf a little! Numerous surf schools are on hand to introduce you to the sport. Once you've visited Biarritz and its highlights, we invite you to continue along the coast from Ilbarritz at low tide to Plage de l'Uhabia in Bidart. An alternative route is available at high tide. A beautiful coastal walk from Biarritz to Saint Jean de Luz awaits the most curious among you!

❤️ Must-sees: The lighthouse, Hôtel du Palais, Rocher de la Vierge, Port des Pêcheurs, Place Sainte-Eugénie, Port Vieux beach, Musée de la Mer, Villa Belza and Côte des Basques beach.

🚙 Où garer mon van ? En descendant sur le littoral, vous trouverez deux parkings à Biarritz. Le premier parking de la Milady au bord de la plage et le deuxième à 5 minutes à Ilbarritz. Pour dormir, nous vous conseillons de réserver à l’avance votre emplacement dans les nombreux campings d’Ilbarritz et Bidart.

2. Guéthary & Saint Jean de Luz, the pretty coastal villages.

Guéthary is a typical village of the region. Once a small whaling port, this coastal village has not ceased to make us dream! The stroll along the beaches to the port is very pleasant. Parlementia beach is a must for local surfers. Next, a short stroll to the center of town, with its pediment and terraced cafés, for a moment out of time. On the way to the coast, the beautiful, unspoilt beaches in the Acotz district are ideal for cooling off and admiring your best sunsets.

guéthary pays basque

Saint Jean de Luz is also a coastal village famous for its history and pleasant lifestyle. Like Guéthary, the town had a fishing port, but this also served as a departure point for many Basque explorers and fishermen. But it's its history with French royalty that makes the town so popular. Saint-Jean's culinary highlight: the Maison Adam and their authentic Basque macaroons. Delicious! The town center is very pleasant, with picturesque alleyways and the Rue Gambetta full of small shops. To round off the day in style, take a stroll along the long beach to Sainte-Barbe and you'll fall under its spell.

❤️ Must-sees: Sainte-Barbe, Place Louis XIV, Rue Gambetta, Grande Plage promenade, Acotz beaches, Guéthary harbor, Parlementia.

🚙 Where can I park my van? Summer parking is more complicated for the van. Parking lots have to be paid for and checks are very frequent. We therefore advise you to book a night at the campsite in the Acotz district.

3. Sare, one of the most beautiful villages in the Basque Country.

Located at the foot of the Rhune, Sare is one of France's most beautiful villages. Leave the coast and cross the country via the Col de Saint Ignace, where the ocean gives way to the Basque mountains. You'll finally arrive in the center of the little village ofSare, a real postcard! It's time for a coffee on the terrace... The ideal place: the small bars and restaurants opposite the pediment in the main square. Afterwards, you can enjoy a stroll along the medieval route, or take in a bit of history at the Sare caves, or a visit to the Etxola wildlife park. If you're passing through Sare, you absolutely must climb to the summit of La Rhune! By train or on foot, for the more courageous. The view of the French and Spanish coasts and the Pyrenees is just incredible! The Lizarrieta pass is also a very pleasant walk. Whether on foot or by car, this pass is a unique place. You'll find some very nice restaurants here, as well as numerous hiking trails.

The village of Sare. Photo credit: Teddy Bear.

❤️ Must-sees: the fronton in the main square, the Rhune, the Lizarrieta pass, the Etxola wildlife park, the summer market on Thursday mornings, the medieval route, the Sare caves.

🚙 Où stationner mon van ? L'aire de la route des platanes est très apprécié des voyageurs. L'emplacement est à deux pas du village, vous avez la possibilité de prendre de l'eau et de faire vos vidanges !

4. Saint Jean Pied de Port, the medieval Basque village.

Situated inland, this typical village will plunge you straight into Basque culture. This medieval village lies on the route to Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims from all over the world gather at the medieval citadel bridge over the Nive to begin their pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. It's a well-known haunt for walkers, adding an extra charm to thispretty fortified town! The best way to discover this small village is to stroll through the narrow streets towards the famous citadel. Once you're up there, you'll enjoy a lovely view of the whole town. An ideal activity for history buffs! The surrounding area also offers a wealth of outdoor activities. For hikers, the GR10 trail through the Pyrenees awaits you to explore the beautiful mountain paths. Adventure sports such as rafting, canyoning and paragliding are also available nearby.

Village of Saint Jean Pied de Port. Photo credit: Le Ptitre Porter.

❤️ Must-sees: The citadel, the Santiago de Compostela trail, hiking along the GR10 path, nearby outdoor activities. 🚙 Where can I park my van? The motorhome area at "Camping du Fronton", has large, shaded pitches with individual electricity included. Close to the town center and within easy reach of shops.

5. Artzamendi - Baigura - Mondarrain, the emblematic hikes of the Basque Country.

For these hikes, we recommend that you take a good

deux jours. Il faut aussi se reposer ! Nichés dans l’arrière-pays, à proximité de Bidarray et d'Itxassou, ces cols sont de véritables paradis pour les randonneurs.

Artzamendi - Baigura - Mondarrain. Crédit photo : legeektrotteur

Ils offrent un accès facile à une multitude de sentiers balisés, vous permettant de profiter de superbes paysages tout en vous immergeant dans la nature préservée. Que vous soyez un randonneur passionné ou un amateur occasionnel, vous trouverez des options adaptées à vos envies. C’est également un terrain de jeu parfait pour les amateurs d’aventure et de sensations fortes. Les possibilités d’activités sont nombreuses : partez à l’aventure en VTT, découvrez les cascades lors d’une séance de canyoning, testez-vous à l’escalade sur de nombreuses parois rocheuses ou lancez-vous dans une excitante descente en rafting sur les rivières voisines. De plus, ces randonnées offrent une atmosphère authentique où vous pourrez vous immerger dans la culture basque et explorer les charmants villages pittoresques des environs. 🚙 Où stationner mon van ? Artzamendi se situe à proximité du village d’Itxassou, c’est le seul endroit où vous avez une aire de camping-car pas loin. L’aire se situe à l’entrée du Camping Hiriberria mais l’accueil est prolongé en dehors des périodes d’ouverture du camping.

6. Hendaye - Fontarrabie - Jaizkibel, on the Spanish border.

corniche pays basque

Let's continue our coastal drive towards the Spanish border. But first, a compulsory stop on the route de la Corniche! This unique natural site offers an incredible view of the coastline. The walk then continues to Hendaye, which boasts a huge beach ideal for swimming or surfing. The Domaine d'Abbadia, the Plage des Deux Jumeaux and the marina are also must-sees. If you're going to be in port, you might as well take the Marie-Louise boat to Fontarrabie! The shuttle makes the crossing in just 5 minutes, taking you to Spain to sample some delicious tapas. After your meal, a little digestive stroll is in order! We advise you to park your van at the Fontarrabie lighthouse. Stroll along the narrow lanes that lead to pretty coves with views of the bay's sailboats. A real little corner of paradise! Need some fresh air and a place to park your van in the middle of nowhere? No problem! Mount Jaizkibel, on the border with the Spanish Basque country, is just the place! It's also a very pleasant hike or mountain bike ride!

❤️ Les incontournables : La corniche, le domaine d’Abbadia, la plage des Deux-Jumeaux, le port de plaisance d’Hendaye, le centre-ville de Fontarrabie, le phare de Fontarrabie, le mont Jaizkibel.

🚙 Where can I park my van? At the top of Jaizkibel, you'll find a camping area with a magnificent view of the mountains and the ocean. Information isn't available on Park4Night, but you won't be able to miss it - you'll drive right past it with the GPS!

And there you have it, all the keys you need for a road trip to the Basque Country that's as relaxing as it is rejuvenating! We hope you find our article useful for your next van vacation. See you next week for new adventures!

Camille, HawaiiSurf.