Hondarribia with Kids: A Beautiful Day in the Old Town

During our Christmas adventure to the Basque Country we left for our last day a charming town Hondarribia.

Why Hondarribia is worth a morning with kids

Hondarribia is a colorful fishing village that is both rich in architecture as well as in gastronomy. As you have seen, about gastronomy I mention in each post about every place we visited in Basque Country. 

We left this beautiful place for our last day, as we had our return flight only 2min ride from there. 

Walking the old town: walls, balconies and the Parador

We started by visiting the well-preserved Old Town (Casco Viejo) with its beautiful and colorful houses. Green, white and red predominate which are the colors of the Basque flag. The font is inspired by the inscriptions in old basque tombstones and cemeteries. 

Even if we went on December, we were lucky enough to have a sunny day. This made us and our kids to enjoy plenty of this town and its ́ beauty.

The streets are full of impressive buildings, then we saw the church and Parador El Emperador. Both old enough to make you feel as in a Medieval times, and both with a special beauty. Here to mention that Parador is a special kind of hotels, and all of them in Spain are committed to reclaiming Spanish heritage. This fact makes every Parador very special and unique, and each time you will stay, it will be a total experience, as the rooms are different as well.

The bay and the view to France

Going further, closer to the city center, the Medieval feeling went away, and we saw buildings that are different in colors, but still make a perfect view as a whole. The cobbled streets across the town only do more to add to Hondarribia’s idyllic Basque charm.

We went to the bay, and it was such a calm view of the Gulf of Vizcaya, and curiously, we saw on the other side France, Hendaya. A place that we were walking only in the morning and enjoying the beach. Although, Hondarribia is in Gipuzkoa in the Spanish Basque Country, it’s right on the border with the French Basque country so you can quite literally see France from your doorstep.

On our way back to the car, we took one last walk around the promenade and we headed to the airport.

How to get to Hondarribia

Hondarribia is right next to San Sebastián airport, the easiest last stop before a flight home. We drove over from our apartment in Hendaye in a few minutes and flew out the same afternoon. From Hendaye you can also take the little ferry across the Bidasoa bay: under 10 minutes, with departures every 30 minutes in season. Kids love arriving in another country by boat. Check the current timetable and fares with the operator before you go.

Where to stay in Hondarribia with kids

For a family, Hotel Jauregui is the practical choice: duplex apartments for four, five or six people with a kitchen, a few streets from the old town. For one special night, the Parador de Hondarribia is the castle on Plaza de Armas itself. We stayed across the bay in Hendaye, which is cheaper, and did Hondarribia, San Sebastián and Zumaia as day trips. The whole route is in our Basque Country with kids guide.

Hondarribia with kids: FAQ

Is Hondarribia worth visiting?

Yes. Its walled old town, colourful Basque houses and castle-Parador make it one of the prettiest towns on the Basque coast, and it’s small enough to see in a morning with children.

How far is Hondarribia from San Sebastián?

About 20 km. San Sebastián airport is in Hondarribia itself, so it’s an easy first or last stop on a Basque Country trip.

Can you take a ferry from Hendaye to Hondarribia?

Yes. A small passenger ferry crosses the Bidasoa bay in under 10 minutes, with departures every 30 minutes in season.

Is Hondarribia good for kids?

Yes. The old town is compact, there’s a beach and a marina, and crossing from France by boat is an adventure in itself. The cobbled streets inside the walls are bumpy with a pushchair.