Cheap flights to Hondarribia
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Quick summary
Country
Spain
Continent
Europe
Airport
EAS
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC+1
Deals already spotted to Hondarribia
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Three names, one border town
Things to do in Hondarribia, the Basque town facing France
Hondarribia in Basque, Fuenterrabía in Spanish, Fontarrabie in French: this town of around 16,800 people sits on the west shore of the Bidasoa estuary, looking across Txingudi bay at Hendaye. Its Basque name means sand ford. Founded in 1203, it combines a fortified old town, a colourful fishermen's quarter and a strong military identity. All the things to do in Hondarribia are within walking distance, which makes it an easy day trip or a relaxed overnight stop.
It also has an unusual arrival point: the airport that carries San Sebastian's name stands here, just 2 km from the centre and roughly 15 to 20 km from San Sebastian (Donostia), depending on the route. You can step off the plane and be in a walled Basque old town within minutes.
The walled town
Gates, palaces and a castle turned Parador
Puerta de Santa María
Enter the walled town through the Puerta de Santa María, with its drawbridge, moat and 1694 coat of arms crowned by the Virgin of Guadalupe, near the statue of the 'Hatxero' soldiers.
Calle Mayor
The cobbled main street climbs between carved eaves, wrought-iron balconies and family coats of arms. Along the way you pass the Baroque town hall (18th century), the Casadevante Palace (17th century), where the truce of 1638 was negotiated, the Zuloaga Palace (18th century) and the Gothic church of Santa María de la Asunción y del Manzano, begun in 1474.
The Castle of Charles V
At the highest point, on Plaza de Armas, stands a fortress of medieval origin reworked for Charles V. Today it is a Parador, and a night inside its walls is an ideal way to experience the town.
The siege of 1638
The town that refused to surrender
Founded in 1203, Hondarribia endured several sieges, including that of 1523 to 1524, which ended when Charles V's forces retook the town. The most famous came in 1638: from June to September, thousands of French soldiers under the Prince of Condé besieged the town and rained shells on it. Only a few hundred inhabitants survived, most of them women and children, yet the town never surrendered, and a Spanish relief army finally defeated the besiegers.
The Alarde of 8 September
Every 8 September, the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, thousands of participants in 20 companies, with fifes, drums, rifles and a cantinera, parade through the streets, climb to the Guadalupe sanctuary on Jaizkibel for an open-air dance, then process back in the afternoon.
La Marina
Pintxos in the fishermen's quarter
Balconies, colour and a working port
Below the walls, La Marina is the fishermen's quarter of colourful balconied houses. This is where the pintxo bars cluster, with Calle San Pedro offering the highest density of bars and terraces above the port; Bar Gran Sol is an award-winning institution. The local drink is txakoli wine, and Hondarribi Zuri is the local grape. The port remains one of the most active in Gipuzkoa, even if fishing has lost some of its importance.
Sea and ridge
Cape Higuer, the beach and Jaizkibel
The town beach was created by a jetty designed by the engineer Iribarren, on Txingudi bay. Cape Higuer lies about 4 km to the north and carries a lighthouse, and behind it rises the Jaizkibel ridge, more than 540 m high, with a loop hike along the coast towards San Sebastian; the Camino del Norte also passes through. The golfer José María Olazábal and the Olympic sailor Iker Martínez both grew up in Hondarribia.
Sights and tours
Key sights and guided tours
| Place | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Castle of Charles V | Medieval origin, the highest point, now a Parador |
| Church of Santa María de la Asunción | Gothic, begun in 1474, with a Baroque tower |
| Casadevante Palace | 17th century, where the 1638 truce was negotiated |
| Zuloaga Palace | 18th century, in the old town |
| Guadalupe sanctuary | Halfway up Jaizkibel, tied to the Alarde |
The town has no major museum; the region's big museums are mostly in San Sebastian, so check them against your tastes. On Plaza de Armas, an interpretation centre for the walled town doubles as the tourist office, and the Arma Plaza foundation runs guided visits of the old town, La Marina and Guadalupe fort, mainly in summer.
Food and drink
Pintxos, txakoli and fish from the port
According to Wikivoyage, Hondarribia stands alongside San Sebastian and Bilbao as a gourmet destination of the Basque Country. Pintxos are eaten mostly along Calle San Pedro in La Marina, with a glass of txakoli, a dry, lightly sparkling white wine from the Hondarribi Zuri grape.
A local detail
On 25 April, St Mark's Day, godmothers give their godchildren an opilla, an egg-topped sponge cake. Kitchens often close before 11 pm, and in summer it is wise to book for sit-down meals.
Getting there
San Sebastian airport and the boat to France
San Sebastián Airport
In Hondarribia itself, 2 km from the centre and roughly 15 to 20 km from San Sebastian (Donostia), depending on the route. Intercity buses serve the airport and the town, with a frequency that varies: check locally. A taxi is quickest to the centre or to San Sebastian. Biarritz airport, in France, is about 20 km away.
Hendaye in 8 minutes
A shuttle boat links Hendaye and Hondarribia in 8 minutes, with a departure every 15 minutes in summer and every 30 minutes the rest of the year; the first crossing leaves around 10 am. By road, Irun is 4.5 km away and Hendaye 6.5 km. Hondarribia has no railway station: the Irun and Hendaye stations, with train services, are a few kilometres away.
Entry rules
Spain and France are both in the Schengen area: for EU citizens the crossing to Hendaye normally involves no systematic checks, but carry ID. Other nationalities should check entry conditions on the official websites.
Getting around
Everything on foot, with boat and bus as back-up
The old town and La Marina are explored on foot, with a few cobbled slopes. Buses link Hondarribia with Irun and San Sebastian, and the shuttle boat goes to Hendaye. A car helps for Cape Higuer and Jaizkibel, but parking near the walls is limited on festival days such as the Alarde.
Budget
A Basque resort budget
Hondarribia is a mid-range to fairly expensive destination, notably for nights in the Parador and gourmet restaurants; pintxos and bar menus remain the cheapest way to eat well. Prices climb in summer and on the Alarde weekend. We give no prices here because they change.
When to go
When to visit Hondarribia?
Spring
Mild and changeable, with frequent showers: a good time for Jaizkibel walks without the crowds.
Summer
The best season according to the guides, June to September: beach, terraces and the crossing to Hendaye, but also more people and higher prices.
Autumn
Early September brings the Alarde on the 8th; after that the climate turns wetter and prices fall.
Winter
Mild but rainy, as along the whole Basque coast; the town is quiet and some terraces close.
How long to stay
How long to stay in Hondarribia
A day is enough for the old town, La Marina and pintxos; a night lets you enjoy the Parador and the town in the evening, once the day visitors have left. Allow two to three days if you combine it with San Sebastian and Hendaye.
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In pictures
Hondarribia in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Hondarribia
Which airport serves Hondarribia and how do I get to the centre?
San Sebastián Airport (EAS), which is located in Hondarribia itself, 2 km from the centre. A taxi is simplest; intercity buses also run, so check locally. San Sebastian is roughly 15 to 20 km away.
Are Hondarribia and Fuenterrabía the same town?
Yes: Hondarribia is the Basque name, Fuenterrabía the Spanish one and Fontarrabie the French one.
When is the best time to visit Hondarribia?
June to September for the beach and terraces; early September for the Alarde. The climate is oceanic, mild and wet, with rain possible all year.
When is the Alarde of Hondarribia?
On 8 September, the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe: companies parade, climb to the Guadalupe sanctuary and process back in the afternoon.
Is Hondarribia expensive?
Mid-range to fairly expensive, especially for nights in the Parador and gourmet restaurants; pintxos remain the cheapest way to eat. Prices rise in summer.
How long should I stay in Hondarribia?
A day for the essentials, a night for the Parador, two to three days if you combine it with San Sebastian and Hendaye.
How do I get around Hondarribia?
On foot in the old town and La Marina; by bus to Irun and San Sebastian; by shuttle boat to Hendaye; by car or taxi for Cape Higuer and Jaizkibel.
What should I eat in Hondarribia?
Pintxos on Calle San Pedro in La Marina, with a glass of txakoli, and fish from the port.
Can you cross to France from Hondarribia?
Yes. A shuttle boat reaches Hendaye in about 8 minutes, every 15 minutes in summer and every 30 minutes the rest of the year.
How much does a flight to San Sebastián Airport usually cost?
It mostly depends on your departure city, the season and how far ahead you book. The "deals" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Hondarribia drops below my budget?
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