9 brilliant things to do in the Basque Country for families
Not only is the Basque Country coastline a world-class surfing destination, but it's also popular with families seeking sun, sand, culture and cuisine. Straddling the northeast tip of Spain and the southwest corner of France, it has a language and identity all of its own.
Known as Euskadi in Basque, the road signs are written in its mother tongue Euskara, as well as in Spanish or French depending on which side of the border you happen to be travelling.
The main airports at Biarritz, Bilbao and San Sebastian*, make it easily accessible from the UK and it's well connected to high-speed rail networks.
Ferry links from Portsmouth direct to Bilbao offer families the freedom to take the slow road, by car or campervan, for a trip along the length of this dramatic coastline at the foot of the Pyrenees.
Here, we take a look at the vast selection of things to do for families along the Basque coast, from the beaches and bike rides to child-friendly museums and a neogothic fairytale castle.
Tried and tested by our writer, these experiences are all kid-approved with a spin on how to ensure everyone is able to make the most of their holiday to the Basque Country.
Getting to the Basque Country: you'll find fabulous deals on holidays to San Sebastian, short breaks to Bilbao and Biarritz in France with First Choice.
Be inspired by the Guggenheim
Bilbao is home to the internationally renowned Guggenheim Museum. Its construction is a work of art, with an exterior made out of 33,000 titanium sheets that seen from a distance, combine to form the shape of a ship to represent the city's industrial heritage.
Kids will love the welcoming sight of a giant puppy that guards the entrance, a 43-foot West Highland terrier made out of flowers, created by artist Jeff Koons to inspire hope, optimism and a sense of security.
Once inside, there are 20 galleries to explore laid out over three floors, all centred around the Atrium, a key feature of Frank Gehry's architectural design.
Navigating the space is an adventure in itself, while collections of modern and contemporary art, in temporary and permanent exhibitions, provide endless fascination and intrigue.
Future generations will appreciate the museum's commitment to the environment as Spain's first member of the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC), an international community of arts organisations with the aim to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Discover Basque history in San Sebastian
La Concha Bay is the beating heart of this city by the sea. San Sebastian* has three beaches including the surf beach Zurriola, La Concha and Ondarreta, where shallow and clear waters make it safe for children to swim.
Stronger swimmers can paddle out to Santa Clara Island in the middle of the bay, backed by views of the statue of Christ atop the headland of Monte Urgull.
Back on the mainland, a visit to the Basque Maritime Museum offers an insight into the Basque Country's seafaring heritage, asking visitors the question, why is the sea important to you?
No visit to this renowned culinary capital is complete without a pintxos crawl. Grown-ups should pair their pintxos with the local cider, txakoli, or a glass of wine from the region.
Bathe in crystal clear waters in Zarautz
Soak up the sun, build a sandcastle and bathe in the clear waters of Zarautz which boasts the longest beach in the Basque country at 2.5 km.
The promenade is lined with surf shops, restaurants, a playpark and sculptures by various artists, including one depicting celebrated chef and TV personality in Spain, Karlos Arguiñano.
You can try his signature pintxos Toldotxo at various bars in town. It's made using local ingredients to resemble the red and green striped beach huts that line the seafront.
At the eastern edge of the beach, a wooden-clad walkway separates the beach from the Iñurritza biotope, a huge sand dune that's protected for its ecological importance. It leads to the mouth of River Iñurritza where young children can paddle safely in the shallow waters at low tide, far from the surfers and the breaking waves.
Ride the waves like a pro in Biarritz
Surfing is now an Olympic sport and there's no better place to practice than in Biarritz, the surf capital of Europe.
A Californian film crew first began riding the waves at Cote des Basques, while making the film The Sun also Rises in 1956. They acquired the nickname 'les tontons surfeurs' (surfing uncles) and it's thanks to them, as well as the natural formation of the waves here, that surfing in Europe took hold.
Today, there are pop-up surf shops all along the seafront daring you to give it a go. Smaller kids can get a feel for the waves on a bodyboard, while older children and good swimmers can quickly progress to stand-up surfing. The thrill of catching a wave and riding it to shore will stay with them long after it breaks.
Cycle along the coastline
Cycle along the Sentier du Littoral between Bidart and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the coastal path that clings to the coastline all the way from Biarritz to Hendaye.
If you're staying at one of the many campsites along this stretch, it's a good way to do a bit of grocery shopping from the market in Les Halles, without having to battle with the traffic that can be highly congested in peak season.
All along this stretch there are natural sea pools that form at low tide, perfect for little feet to paddle safely among the rockpools.
Get starry-eyed in a fairytale neogothic castle
Perched on the clifftops above Hendaye on the French side of the border with Spain, Château Abbadia is a commanding sight. Built in the late 19th century by revered architect Viollet-le-Duc, it's the former home of scientist Antoine d'Abbadie who had a passion for geography and astronomy.
He gifted the house to the Académie des Sciences, which still owns it today and it's full of fascinating objects from his travels and scientific research.
Visit a local market in Saint-Jean-de-Luz
To fully appreciate local food and drink, you have to experience a local market, and St-Jean-de-Luz has one of the best in the Basque Country. The colours and smells of speciality produce are proudly displayed in Les Halles, including artisan Brebis cheese, Bayonne ham, black cherry jam and Espelette peppers.
The poissonerie is a particular highlight featuring a huge variety of fish in all shapes and sizes, including locally caught blue-fin tuna that will surprise young eyes with their sheer size. As the market closes, the workers and shoppers spill out into the lively restaurants that line the nearby streets for a leisurely lunch.
Ride Le Petit Train de la Rhune
Le Petit Train is a rack railway, introduced in 1924 to traverse the steep mountainside of La Rhune. It's a scenic and rickety ride to the summit that sits on the border of France and Spain. As you reach the top, be prepared for the difference in temperature; at 905 metres it can be chilly and clouds roll in quickly.
Enjoy the panoramic views out to sea and inland over the mountain peaks of the Pyrenees. On a clear day, you can see all along the Basque and Landes coastline.
Soaring above, witness the ethereal beauty of vultures circling the sky, with their enormous wingspan. And on the descent, look out for Pottok wild horses, an ancient breed native to the Pyrenees.
Leaving the station behind you in Sare, a traditional Basque village, head underground at Grottes de Sare, which offers tours of caves dating back to the Neolithic era and the original Basques settlers.
Swim with sea life in Biarritz
Biarritz Aquarium is located along the art deco seafront of this elegant city, overlooking La Rocher de la Vierge, a rocky outcrop with a statue of the Virgin Mary on top.
Twice a day crowds gather by the pool on the terrace to watch the seals being fed. Smaller children will get the best experience in the viewing room where the seals put on a playful underwater display, ducking, diving, twisting and turning as they play with their food.
Tickets include a visit to nearby Cité de l'Ocean, a museum shaped in the form of a wave that presents an informative guide to the wonders of the ocean.
While the simulated surf entertains the big kids, children can wander inside a blue whale, the largest mammal on earth. In the 3D cinema, the whole family can swim with seahorses, giant squid and jellyfish.
Weather in the Basque Country
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
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| Sea temperature °F |
The above guide shows the climate in San Sebastian. Find out more about conditions across the region in our complete climate guides to France* and Spain*.
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