Things to do in the Basque Country

Stay near the most beautiful towns in the Basque Country, in a 4-star campsite

Renting a chalet, a mobile home or a pitch with all the comforts of home at the 4-star Basque Country campsite Sunêlia Col d’Ibardin is much more than staying in a luxury open-air hotel in southwest France. From the establishment, you can reach the most beautiful towns of the Basque Country in less than 30 minutes by car.

On the seaside, you can take surfing lessons on the beaches of Hendaye, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz, seaside resorts renowned for their superb spots. After your water activities, take time to admire the landscapes of the Bay of Biscay and the Bidasoa estuary that separates France and Spain.

Take the coastal path along the Basque coast and discover the local heritage that bears witness to the region’s eventful history: the Abbadia castle and the Maison Rouge villa in Hendaye, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the imperial chapel and the Musée de la Mer (Sea Museum) in Biarritz…

On the land side, enter the heart of the Basque Country to lift the veil on its charming villages: Bayonne, world-famous for its férias and ham, Espelette and its famous chillies, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a stopover town on the road to Santiago de Compostela, Ainhoa and Ascain with their traditional houses, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, Sare which is home to the Basque cake museum…

Want to broaden your horizons? By boat, train or car, head for the land of Cervantes and take with you a flavour of Spain drawn from San Sebastian and Fontarrabia.

Visit the must-see tourist attractions of the Basque Country

Ready for your active holidays as a couple, with family or friends in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques? Located between the sea and the mountains, crossed by rivers suitable for white water sports, the 64 is a delight for visitors who wish to carry out several outdoor activities on their holiday location.

On the menu, we reserve for you beautiful hikes or mountain bike rides on the banks of the Nive and in the Iraty forest, the ascent of the Ibardin pass and the Orhy peak to discover the Basque country in all its splendour, a rafting trip on the Gave de Pau, speleology in the caves of Sare and breathtaking waterfalls in the Holzarte (Larrau) and Kakuetta (Sainte-Engrâce) gorges.

History and architecture enthusiasts will not fail to include in their programme of visits the emblematic monuments of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques such as the Abbadia castle in Hendaye, the Sainte-Marie cathedral in Bayonne and the Sainte-Eugénie church in Biarritz.

Are you looking for ideas for must-see visits that your children will enjoy to make your stay at camping Col d’Ibardin unforgettable? Climb aboard the Rhune train for a unique mountain adventure with a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, cross Chingoudy Bay by boat and admire the intriguing Pheasant Island, get lost in the Cité de l’Océan and the Biarritz Aquarium.

Tell yourself, as you gaze out over the Bidasoa estuary, that Spain is just around the corner, on the other side. And, to recover from your emotions, lounge on the Grande Plage de Biarritz while watching the surfers!

Fall under the spell of the Basque way of life and culture

You don’t need to visit the Basque Country to know that traditions are deeply rooted here. The pediments laid out in towns and villages will remind you that here, pelota is the king sport.

As you lose yourself in the ruelles des cités de caractère, you will fall under the spell of the houses with their colourful facades and their architecture characteristic of the region, from which hang dried chillies: the famous Espelette chillies.

Want to experience several atmospheres? Take the time to soak up Biarritz la Bourgeoise with its beautiful villas overlooking the ocean. Then immerse yourself in Bayonne la Festive which, when the fine weather arrives, becomes more and more effervescent as the férias approach.

Savour its ham, sheep’s cheese, some pintxos, Biscayan-style cod and buy your favourite local produce at the market to take the edge off. Venture into the heart of Béarn and seek a complete change of scenery in the Pyrenees National Park which is home to extraordinary preserved landscapes.

Treat yourself to a spa treatment to relax your muscles and already think about winter sports: the Basque Country takes on a different charm each season. Do not hesitate to consult the website dedicated to tourism in the Basque Country for any further information.