Ainhoa on Foot: What You Can Do Without the Car

A car is useful for exploring the French Basque Country. But one of the things we love about staying at Les Hauts d’Ainhoa is that you don’t need to get into it every time you want to go somewhere.

From the house, a footpath leads up towards Ainhoa before joining a quiet country road into the village. In around 20 minutes, you can be wandering along Ainhoa’s main street, sitting on a terrace, having lunch or setting off into the surrounding hills.

You can even visit a local producer, buy artisan gingerbread or walk out for a special dinner.

Here are some of our favourite things to do in Ainhoa without taking the car.

Walk into Ainhoa village

Around 20 minutes from Les Hauts d’Ainhoa

Ainhoa is one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, and it’s small enough to explore slowly on foot.

Even better, the centre of the village is now pedestrianised. For years, Ainhoa suffered from through-traffic heading towards the Spanish border and the shops at Dantxaria. Today, that traffic is kept out of the historic centre, making the main street much quieter and more pleasant for pedestrians.

You can now take your time looking at the traditional white Basque houses with their red or green timberwork. Look a little more closely and you’ll see carved lintels above some of the doors, often bearing the names of the families who built the houses and their dates of construction.

Ainhoa developed as a stopping place on one of the routes towards Santiago de Compostela, and its history is still visible in the layout and architecture of the village.

There are small shops to browse, terraces where you can stop for a drink and plenty of details that are easy to miss when you simply pass through.

Visit the church and cemetery

In the heart of the village stands the Church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption.

Step inside and you’ll see the wooden galleries typical of traditional churches in the Basque Country. And here’s a tip that’s easy to miss: bring a €1 coin with you. There’s a little mechanism inside the church that switches on the illuminations and music, allowing you to see the interior properly and experience it rather differently.

The cemetery surrounding the church is worth exploring too. Look out for the traditional Basque stèles discoïdales – distinctive circular gravestones decorated with carved symbols.

It’s a peaceful place and one of the best spots in Ainhoa for noticing some of the traditions that make this part of France so distinctive.

Discover Ainhoa’s artisan gingerbread

Another of our favourite stops is Les Pains d’Épices d’Aïnhoa, where artisan gingerbread has been made in the village since 1992.
There are several different recipes to discover, including some using ingredients associated with the Basque Country, such as chestnut and buckwheat flour and Piment d’Espelette.
It’s a lovely place to pick up something for later – or something edible to take home with you.
One piece of local advice: check that they’re open before you go. Their opening days and hours can vary, particularly according to the season. They post regularly on Facebook, which is useful for checking the latest information.

Visit a local sheep farm

For a glimpse of rural life beyond Ainhoa’s main street, you can also visit Ferme Olatxarea, a working sheep farm around 1.5 km from the centre of the village.
The farm produces its own AOP Ossau-Iraty, the sheep’s-milk cheese of the western Pyrenees, as well as other sheep’s-milk products.
It’s a chance to meet a local producer, learn a little more about how the cheese is made and, of course, taste some.
Visits need to be arranged in advance, so don’t simply turn up – call the farm beforehand to organise your visit.
This is one of the things we parw(pticularly like about exploring Ainhoa on foot: within a relatively small area you can go from one of France’s most beautiful villages to the working farms and countryside that surround it.

Stop at Ezkurra for an apéritif

Back in the village, Ezkurra is an easy place to stop without committing to a full restaurant meal.
Have a drink on the terrace, share a charcuterie board or stop for a snack. They also serve homemade ice cream, making it a particularly tempting destination on a warm afternoon.
It’s informal and relaxed – a lovely place to sit for a while and watch village life go by.
And because you’re on foot, there’s no need to worry about who is driving home.

Walk out for lunch

For such a small village, Ainhoa has a remarkable choice of good places to eat – and several are within walking distance of Les Hauts d’Ainhoa.
Argi Eder is the closest, at around 15 minutes on foot.
Ithurria Côté Bistrot, around 20 minutes away, is one of our favourite choices for a relaxed lunch. In warmer weather, its shady terrace is particularly lovely.
Maison Oppoca, also around 20 minutes away, is another favourite and has the advantage of being open throughout the year.

We’ve put together a separate guide to where to eat in Ainhoa, including which restaurants we choose for different occasions.

Walk up to the Chapelle de l’Aubépine

If you feel like stretching your legs a little more, head uphill towards the Chapelle Notre-Dame de l’Aubépine.
The chapel sits above Ainhoa and is associated with a local story of the Virgin Mary appearing to a young shepherd in a hawthorn bush – aubépine in French.
The climb takes you above the village and rewards you with lovely views over Ainhoa and the surrounding Basque countryside.
This is more of a proper walk than a stroll along the village street, so wear suitable shoes and take some water, particularly in warm weather.

Go for a longer walk in the hills

Ainhoa is surrounded by wonderful walking country.
Waymarked paths lead from the village into the hills, so you don’t need to drive somewhere else before you can start walking.
The GR10, the long-distance trail crossing the French Pyrenees between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, also passes through this part of the Basque Country.
You certainly don’t have to embark on a long-distance trek. Following part of a marked route for a couple of hours can be enough to leave the village behind and enjoy the landscape.
For a longer walk, plan your route beforehand and take appropriate footwear, water and sun protection.

Walk out for dinner

A car-free day doesn’t have to end when the shops close.
Maison Oppoca is around 20 minutes away on foot and is one of our favourite places for a relaxed dinner.
For a special occasion, the main Restaurant Ithurria is also around a 20-minute walk from Les Hauts d’Ainhoa. The food and service make it somewhere we’d happily choose for a birthday or celebration.
Being able to walk there means everyone can enjoy the wine without somebody having to volunteer to drive home.
Just remember that this is the countryside. If you’re walking home after dark, bring a small torch or use the light on your phone, as the route isn’t illuminated all the way.

Or simply have a slow day

You don’t actually have to do very much at all.
Have a slow breakfast. Read outside. Enjoy the view towards the mountains. Wander into Ainhoa for a coffee or lunch. Buy some gingerbread or local cheese. Come home for the afternoon and then walk back to the village for an apéritif or dinner.
One of the pleasures of staying somewhere rural is having the time to slow down.
And one of the pleasures of Les Hauts d’Ainhoa is being able to do that without feeling cut off from village life.

Do you need a car in Ainhoa?

For a whole holiday in the French Basque Country, we recommend having a car.
You’ll want one for days at the coast, visiting Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz, exploring villages such as Sare and Espelette and discovering more of the Basque Country on both sides of the French-Spanish border.
But you certainly don’t need to use it every day.

From Les Hauts d’Ainhoa, you can walk into one of France’s Plus Beaux Villages, visit local producers, have lunch, go hiking, stop for an apéritif and walk out for dinner.

Sometimes, leaving the car parked is part of the holiday.

Where to Eat in Ainhoa: Restaurants You Can Walk to & Local Favourites 

One of the pleasures of staying in Ainhoa is how well you can eat without travelling very far at all.

In fact, from Les Hauts d’Ainhoa, several of our favourite restaurants are within walking distance. A footpath from the house leads towards the top of the village, followed by a quiet country road into Ainhoa itself.

So you can leave the car behind, walk into the village for lunch or dinner, enjoy a glass or two of wine and wander home afterwards.

Here are our favourite places to eat in Ainhoa, plus a few tips for choosing the right one.

Maison Oppoca – our year-round favourite

Around 20 minutes on foot from Les Hauts d’Ainhoa

Maison Oppoca is one of the restaurants we return to again and again.

Set in the centre of Ainhoa, it serves Basque cooking with a contemporary touch, using fresh produce sourced from local producers. The menu changes with the seasons, and in warmer weather there is a terrace overlooking the surrounding countryside.

But one of the things we particularly love about Oppoca is the welcome. The owners are genuinely friendly and the restaurant has a warm, relaxed atmosphere – the sort of place where you immediately feel comfortable.

It also has one considerable advantage for visitors coming to the Basque Country outside the summer season: Maison Oppoca is open all year round.

From Les Hauts d’Ainhoa, it’s about a 20-minute walk. Take the footpath towards the village and then continue along the quiet road into the centre.

Choose Oppoca for: a relaxed dinner, local and seasonal cooking, a friendly welcome and a restaurant you can enjoy at any time of year.

Ithurria Côté Bistrot – for a long, relaxed lunch

Around 20 minutes on foot

Ithurria is something of an institution in Ainhoa, but there are actually two quite different ways to eat here.

Côté Bistrot is the informal one – and one of our favourite places for lunch.

The food is excellent but the atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed. In warmer weather, the shady terrace is particularly lovely. It’s just the place for a leisurely lunch when you don’t have anything particularly urgent planned for the afternoon.

Côté Bistrot serves lunch only, so don’t save this one for the evening.

It’s around a 20-minute walk from Les Hauts d’Ainhoa, using the same footpath and quiet road into the village.

Unlike Maison Oppoca, Ithurria closes for part of the year, so always check the current opening dates before planning your visit.

Choose Côté Bistrot for: an informal lunch, a shady summer terrace and excellent food without the formality of a gastronomic restaurant.

Restaurant Ithurria – for a special occasion

Around 20 minutes on foot

The main restaurant at Ithurria is quite a different experience and the one we’d choose when we wanted to celebrate something special.

The cooking is refined and firmly rooted in the Basque Country, making use of seasonal ingredients, produce from the restaurant’s own garden and local specialities.

But what we particularly appreciate about Ithurria is the atmosphere.

This is unquestionably a special-occasion restaurant, but it isn’t snooty. The waiting staff are extremely well trained while remaining warm and welcoming, so dinner feels like an occasion without ever becoming intimidating.

If you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary – or simply want one memorable dinner during your holiday in the French Basque Country – this is a lovely choice.

And there’s another bonus: you can walk there.

At around 20 minutes on foot from Les Hauts d’Ainhoa, nobody has to volunteer to be the designated driver.

Choose Restaurant Ithurria for: a celebration, a memorable dinner and polished but genuinely welcoming service.

Argi Eder – refined Basque cooking close to the house

Around 15 minutes on foot

Argi Eder is actually the closest of Ainhoa’s main restaurants to Les Hauts d’Ainhoa.

Set in a beautiful traditional Basque house surrounded by greenery, it is around 15 minutes away on foot.

Chef Philippe Dottax’s cooking is based around fresh, seasonal produce from the Basque Country. The restaurant works closely with local producers for ingredients including meat, trout, fish, vegetables and dairy products.

It’s another good choice when you’d like a more refined meal, and the setting is particularly attractive.

Argi Eder itself describes its food as local cuisine with Basque flavours, combining traditional ingredients with a more contemporary approach.

Like Ithurria, Argi Eder is seasonal rather than open throughout the year, so check its current opening calendar before booking.

Choose Argi Eder for: refined Basque cooking, local produce and a beautiful setting – all just a short walk from the house.

Mikelenborda – for a hearty, informal Basque meal

A short drive from Les Hauts d’Ainhoa, towards Dantxaria

For something completely different from Ainhoa’s more refined restaurants, Mikelenborda is a local favourite.

It’s very informal, the portions are generous and the food is excellent. You’ll find a mixture of local families, workers and walkers here, which gives it a lively, unpretentious atmosphere.

The service is another reason people return. Even when the restaurant is busy, the waiting staff are remarkably friendly and efficient.

Come here hungry. This isn’t somewhere for tiny, elaborate plates – it’s somewhere for a generous meal after a morning walking in the Basque hills.

Choose Mikelenborda for: big portions, excellent food, a lively local atmosphere and a very informal meal.

Ezkurra – for an apéritif, a snack or something sweet

Around 20 minutes on foot from Les Hauts d’Ainhoa

Not every outing needs to involve a three-course meal.

Ezkurra is a lovely place to stop for a drink, a snack or a charcuterie board in the village. It’s informal and relaxed, with a terrace that’s perfect for an apéritif after a walk around Ainhoa, and if you’re lucky you’ll see a pelota game on the square.

It’s also a good address to remember in the afternoon: Ezkurra serves homemade ice cream, so it’s an easy place to stop for something sweet while exploring the village.

From Les Hauts d’Ainhoa, it’s around a 20-minute walk via the footpath and quiet road into the village.

Choose Ezkurra for: an apéritif, drinks on the terrace, a charcuterie board, a casual snack or homemade ice cream.

Which restaurant should you choose in Ainhoa?

It really depends on the occasion.

For a friendly, relaxed dinner at any time of year, we’d choose Maison Oppoca.

For a long summer lunch on a shady terrace, we’d head to Ithurria Côté Bistrot.

For a birthday, anniversary or special dinner, we’d book Restaurant Ithurria.

For refined Basque cooking in a beautiful setting particularly close to the house, Argi Eder is only around 15 minutes away on foot.

And when you want something hearty, informal and very local, head to Mikelenborda – preferably with an appetite.

That’s quite a choice for a small Basque village.

What to eat while you’re here

Wherever you decide to eat, look out for some of the ingredients and dishes that make food in the French Basque Country so distinctive.

Depending on the season and the restaurant, you might come across local trout, line-caught hake, Kintoa pork, Bayonne ham, axoa, sheep’s cheese, gâteau basque and, of course, Piment d’Espelette.

If you’d like to know what to look for on the menu, read our guide to 8 Foods to Try in the French Basque Country.

A local tip: always check opening days

Restaurant opening hours in rural France can take visitors by surprise.

Many restaurants close for one or two days during the week, and some of Ainhoa’s restaurants close completely for part of the year. Opening days can also change between seasons.

It’s always worth checking directly with the restaurant and reserving a table before you set off – particularly in summer and on holiday weekends.

Staying in Ainhoa

Being able to walk out for a really good meal is one of the things we love about the location of Les Hauts d’Ainhoa.

You have the peace of the countryside and views towards the Basque mountains, yet the centre of one of France’s Plus Beaux Villages – and several excellent restaurants – are only a walk away.

And if you don’t feel like going out at all?

Pick up some local cheese, charcuterie, good bread and a bottle of wine and enjoy dinner at home.

Sometimes that’s the best restaurant of all.

A week in the French Basque Country: 7 days from Ainhoa

A week in the French Basque Country gives you enough time to see the mountains, coast and villages without rushing through them.

Ainhoa makes a particularly good base because so much lies within easy reach. You can walk in the foothills of the Pyrenees, spend a day beside the Atlantic, cross into Navarre, visit neighbouring villages and still leave space for long lunches and slower days.

That last part matters.

The temptation with a new destination is to fill every day. But this is a region that rewards doing a little less.

Here is how we would spend seven days in the French Basque Country from Ainhoa.

Day 1: Ainhoa and the hills

Start locally.

Spend the morning exploring Ainhoa itself: the main street, traditional Basque houses, church and cemetery.

The village becomes much more interesting once you understand its position between Bayonne and Navarre and its connection with the Camino Baztanés, one of the historic routes towards Santiago de Compostela.

→ Read the history of Ainhoa

If the weather is good, walk up towards the Hawthorn Chapel — Chapelle de l’Aubépine above the village.

You can simply walk to the chapel and back or continue further into the hills if you want something longer.

Then stay in Ainhoa for lunch and keep the afternoon easy.

The first day does not need another destination.

→ Discover hiking around Ainhoa

Day 2: Sare, the caves and Espelette

For the second day, explore two of Ainhoa’s best-known neighbours.

Start in Sare.

If the weather is good, spend some time walking around the village and surrounding countryside. If it is wet or uncertain, the Grottes de Sare make an excellent alternative.

Then continue to Espelette.

This is a good place to slow down over lunch, explore the village and discover local food products, particularly piment d’Espelette.

You will also find gâteau basque, charcuterie and sheep’s milk cheese throughout the area.

→ What to eat in the French Basque Country

Day 3: Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the coast

After two inland days, head for the Atlantic.

Start in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, ideally in the morning.

Walk through the old centre, visit Les Halles if they are open, wander around the harbour and spend some time beside the bay.

Then stay for lunch.

In the afternoon, either remain in Saint-Jean-de-Luz or choose one extra coastal stop.

Guéthary is good for a smaller village atmosphere.

Bidart is ideal for beaches and coastal scenery.

Biarritz works better if you want shops, architecture and a livelier afternoon.

I would not try to do all three.

→ Discover the best beaches near Ainhoa

Day 4: Do less

By the fourth day, resist the urge to plan another full excursion.

This is the day to enjoy where you are staying.

Have a slow breakfast. Walk into or around Ainhoa. Buy local cheese. Spend time by the pool or in the spa if the season allows. Read. Have lunch somewhere nearby.

For such a small village, Ainhoa has an unusually interesting food scene, from local farm produce to Ithurria, its Michelin-starred restaurant.

A slow day also gives you flexibility if the weather has changed your plans earlier in the week.

And if you do suddenly feel restless, Espelette, Sare and the Spanish border are all close enough for a spontaneous outing.

Day 5: Cross into Navarre

One of Ainhoa’s biggest advantages is how close it is to Spain.

Drive across the border towards Urdax, Zugarramurdi and the Baztan Valley.

Urdax makes an easy first stop, while Zugarramurdi is known for its caves and its history connected with the Basque witch trials.

Then continue deeper into the Baztan Valley.

The landscape remains recognisably Basque, but the architecture, villages and atmosphere gradually change.

This is a good day for driving slowly, stopping when somewhere looks interesting and having lunch in Navarre rather than trying to follow a rigid checklist.

The fact that you can spend the morning in France, the afternoon in Spain and return to Ainhoa for the evening is part of what makes the area so interesting.

Day 6: Biarritz and one more stretch of coast

Give Biarritz its own day rather than squeezing it into another itinerary.

Walk along the seafront, explore the centre, stop for coffee and take time to see the town properly.

Depending on the weather, you might visit the aquarium, spend time on the beach or simply walk along the coast.

For lunch, stay in Biarritz or head somewhere nearby.

If you still want more coastline later in the day, stop in Guéthary or Bidart on the way back towards Ainhoa.

Or don’t.

After nearly a week, you may prefer a slow return inland and an evening at the house.

Day 7: Choose your own version of the Basque Country

By the final day, you will probably know what you want more of.

So leave this day open.

If you want more mountains

Choose a longer walk around Ainhoa, Sare or La Rhune.

→ Hiking in the French Basque Country: 10 things to know

If you want more food

Visit a market, buy Ossau-Iraty directly from a producer or return to the village where you had your favourite lunch.

→ Discover Ossau-Iraty and where to buy it around Ainhoa

If you want another city

Spend the day in San Sebastián.

It deserves more than a rushed afternoon, particularly if food is part of the reason you are visiting.

If you want absolutely nothing

Stay in Ainhoa.

A week-long holiday does not need to end with another attraction.

What if it rains?

The Basque Country is green for a reason.

Rain does not need to ruin this itinerary. It simply changes the order.

Use wetter days for the Sare Caves, museums, markets, long lunches, food producers, Biarritz Aquarium or a spa.

Save walks and the coast for clearer weather.

One advantage of staying for a week rather than a weekend is that you have enough flexibility to move things around.

→ What to do in the French Basque Country when it rains

Do you need a car?

For this itinerary, yes.

Ainhoa itself is easy to explore on foot and several walks begin nearby, but a car makes the wider region dramatically easier to enjoy.

The important point is that you will not necessarily be driving long distances every day.

Most of the destinations in this itinerary are close enough for easy day trips, and several days involve very little driving at all.

That is one of the reasons Ainhoa works so well as a base.

When is the best time for a week in Ainhoa?

Late spring, summer and early autumn all work well, but they offer slightly different holidays.

Spring is green, quieter and excellent for walking.

Summer is best for combining the mountains with proper beach days and long evenings outside.

Early autumn often brings comfortable walking temperatures and a calmer atmosphere once the busiest summer weeks are over.

Whichever season you choose, keep some flexibility in the itinerary.

The weather can change quickly between the Atlantic and the Pyrenees.

Why stay inland rather than on the coast?

Many first-time visitors naturally think of Biarritz or Saint-Jean-de-Luz when they hear “French Basque Country”.

They are wonderful places to visit.

But staying inland gives you something different.

From Ainhoa, the Pyrenees are immediately around you, Spain is only a few kilometres away, and Sare and Espelette are close by. At the same time, the Atlantic is still near enough for easy day trips.

That means you do not have to choose between mountains, villages and the coast.

You can have all three while returning to the same quieter base each evening.

For a full week, that balance becomes especially valuable.

A week that does not feel overplanned

The best thing about spending seven days in Ainhoa is not how much you can fit in.

It is how much you do not need to fit in.

There is time for walking, beaches, villages, food and Spain — but also for weather changes, long lunches and afternoons when nobody particularly wants to go anywhere.

That is probably the best way to experience this part of the Basque Country.

Continue exploring

→ 3 days in Ainhoa: villages, mountains and coast
→ How to get to the French Basque Country from the UK & Ireland
→ Things to do in Ainhoa and the French Basque Country
→ What to eat in the French Basque Country
→ Hiking around Ainhoa
→ Beaches near Ainhoa

How to get to Ainhoa and the French Basque Country from the UK and Ireland

The French Basque Country can feel much further away than it really is.

Ainhoa sits in the foothills of the Pyrenees, close to the Spanish border and around half an hour by car from Biarritz airport. From the UK, there are several practical ways to get here: fly directly to Biarritz, use Bilbao as an alternative airport, come by ferry with your own car, or make the journey by train.

Which option is best depends largely on where you live in the UK and whether you want a car during your stay.

The easiest option: fly to Biarritz

Biarritz has direct seasonal connections with London, and depending on the year’s flight programme, there are also direct services from Edinburgh. For visitors coming from Ireland, Dublin is another direct destination served from Biarritz. Routes and frequencies change seasonally, so it is always worth checking the current airport timetable before booking.

The airport is only about 27 km from Ainhoa, with a drive of roughly 30 minutes.

In 2026, Biarritz has direct links with London Stansted on Ryanair and London Gatwick on easyJet. The Biarritz airport schedule also lists a direct seasonal Ryanair service to Edinburgh. Flight schedules vary by season, so it is always worth checking the current programme before booking.

From London, the flight itself is only around 1 hour 45 minutes.

That makes Biarritz remarkably convenient for a part of France that feels very different from the usual short-break destinations.

From Biarritz airport to Ainhoa

If you are staying for several days, I would normally recommend hiring a car at the airport.

You can reach Ainhoa by taxi or public transport, but having a car makes it much easier to explore Sare, Espelette, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the coast and the Spanish side of the border.

Ainhoa itself is small and walkable, and several walks start directly from the village, but the wider region is much easier to enjoy with your own transport.

Bilbao: a very useful alternative

If the Biarritz flights do not work for your dates or departure airport, Bilbao Airport is the next option I would check.

It is further away — around 150 km from Ainhoa and roughly 1 hour 45 minutes by car — but it has a much wider choice of UK connections.

Bilbao Airport currently lists direct routes to London Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton, as well as Manchester and Bristol.

That can make Bilbao particularly useful if you live outside London or if the seasonal Biarritz schedules do not line up with your holiday.

The drive from Bilbao to Ainhoa is straightforward and also gives you the option of stopping in San Sebastián on the way.

For a longer holiday, flying into Bilbao and out of Biarritz — or vice versa — can also work well if the fares and car-hire arrangements make sense.

Should you hire a car?

For a holiday based in Ainhoa, yes, ideally.

You do not need a car every minute of the day. The village can be explored on foot, mountain walks begin nearby and it is perfectly possible to spend a slow day without driving anywhere.

But a car gives you enormous flexibility.

From Ainhoa you can easily reach:

Sare and Espelette
Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the Atlantic coast
Biarritz and Bayonne
Urdax, Zugarramurdi and the Baztan Valley in Navarre
numerous walking routes and small villages that are awkward to reach by public transport

The distances are generally short, which is part of the appeal. You are hiring a car to give yourself freedom, not to spend the holiday driving for hours every day.

→ See our 3-day Ainhoa itinerary

Coming by ferry with your own car

For British visitors who prefer to bring their own car, the ferry to northern Spain is an interesting alternative.

Brittany Ferries operates services from Portsmouth to Bilbao and Santander, allowing you to arrive with your own vehicle and avoid the long drive through northern France.

The Portsmouth–Bilbao crossing is a longer, cruise-style journey — Brittany Ferries lists it at around 36 hours for its 2027 programme — but for a longer holiday, especially with plenty of luggage, bikes or children, some travellers may prefer starting the holiday on board rather than spending a full day on motorways.

From Bilbao, allow roughly two hours to reach Ainhoa.

Santander is another possibility. From Santander to Ainhoa is around 250 km and about 2 hours 45 minutes by car.

This option makes most sense for a longer stay, when having your own car and being able to bring more luggage outweighs the longer journey.

Driving through France

You can, of course, cross the Channel and drive all the way south.

From Calais to Ainhoa, the road distance is roughly 1,040 km and the driving time is around 10 hours before substantial breaks, so most people would sensibly treat it as a two-day journey.

Using a western Channel crossing can shorten the French driving section. From the Normandy area, the drive south is still substantial but more manageable.

This is a good option if the journey itself is part of the holiday — perhaps with a night in the Loire, Bordeaux or elsewhere en route.

For a straightforward week in the Basque Country, flying is usually considerably easier.

Travelling by train from London

It is also possible to make the journey without flying.

The Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris takes around 2 hours 16 minutes.

From Paris Montparnasse, direct TGV trains to Bayonne can take just under four hours.

You do need to transfer across Paris between Gare du Nord and Montparnasse, so this is not a single seamless train journey. But for anyone who enjoys rail travel or prefers not to fly, it is perfectly realistic.

Bayonne is around 26 km from Ainhoa and roughly half an hour by car.

From there, you could hire a car, take a taxi or arrange onward transport.

The train is unlikely to be the fastest option door to door, but it can be a very pleasant way to arrive in the south-west of France.

Biarritz or Bilbao: which airport should you choose?

If the flights work, choose Biarritz.

It is much closer to Ainhoa, the onward journey is easy and you can be in the village remarkably quickly after landing.

Choose Bilbao if:

it offers a much better flight from your part of the UK
Biarritz flights do not operate on your travel dates
fares are significantly better
you would like to include Bilbao or San Sebastián in your trip

There is no need to regard Bilbao as an inconvenient second choice. It is simply a longer transfer.

How far is Ainhoa from the coast?

One reason Ainhoa works well for a holiday from the UK is that you are not choosing between the Pyrenees and the Atlantic.

The village is inland, surrounded by green hills and mountain paths, but the Basque coast is close enough for an easy day out.

That means you can spend one day walking, another in Saint-Jean-de-Luz or Biarritz, and another crossing the border into Spain — while returning to the same base each evening.

→ Discover the beaches near Ainhoa

Is the French Basque Country easy for a short holiday from Britain?

From London, particularly during the months when direct Biarritz flights are frequent, surprisingly so.

The flight is short, the airport transfer is short and once you arrive most of the places you are likely to visit are within a relatively compact area.

For visitors coming from other parts of the UK, Bilbao gives you considerably more choice.

And for a longer stay, bringing your own car by ferry can make the journey part of the holiday itself.

The French Basque Country feels tucked away between the Atlantic and the Pyrenees.

Getting here is rather easier than that setting might suggest.

Continue exploring

→ 3 days in Ainhoa: villages, mountains and coast
→ Things to do in Ainhoa and the French Basque Country
→ Hiking around Ainhoa
→ What to eat in the French Basque Country
→ Beaches near Ainhoa

• Makila Golf Club is a public course located in Bassussarry, Labourd. It was founded in 1993 and is a challenging course with a variety of holes. The course is set in a wooded area and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

• Golf du Phare is a public course located in Biarritz, Labourd. It was founded in 1892 and is the oldest golf course in the Basque Country. The course is set in a beautiful coastal location and offers stunning views of the Bay of Biscay.

• Golf de Chantaco is a private club located in Bidart, Labourd. It was founded in 1928 and is a popular choice for both golfers and celebrities. The course is set in a beautiful coastal location and offers stunning views of the Bay of Biscay.

• Golf de Chiberta is a private club located in Anglet, Labourd. It was founded in 1927 and is a popular choice for both golfers and celebrities. The course is set in a beautiful coastal location and offers stunning views of the Bay of Biscay.

• Real Golf Club de Zarautz is a links course located in Zarautz, Gipuzkoa. It was founded in 1916 and is one of the oldest golf courses in Spain. The course is set in a beautiful coastal location and offers stunning views of the Bay of Biscay.

• Real Nuevo Club Golf de San Sebastián Basozabal is a private club located in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa. It was founded in 1972 and is a popular choice for both golfers and non-golfers. The course is set in a wooded area and offers stunning views of the city of San Sebastián.