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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Highlights of the Basque Country

Basque coast and culture from Hondarribia with mountain railway and Guggenheim

Illustration of Highlights of the Basque Country

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted tour exploring the Basque coast of Spain and France. The journey begins with Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, continues by TGV to Dax, and finishes by coach into Hondarribia, a characterful coastal town with medieval walls and a 16th-century castle. You stay at Hotel Jauregui for all seven nights, providing a stable base from which to take daily excursions. Days include a guided walking tour of San Sebastián, celebrated for its food culture and La Concha Bay; free time to explore Hondarribia's port, old town, and pintxo bars; an afternoon aboard the Petit Train de la Rhune, a 1920s vintage rack railway climbing to 905 metres with views of the Pyrenees and Atlantic; and a visit to Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum with entry included. Great Rail Journeys provides a Tour Manager throughout, daily breakfast, four dinners, all rail and coach travel, and guided tours. This trip suits repeat rail travellers and food enthusiasts; the extended stay in one town and mixture of guided and free days also appeals to couples seeking relaxed coastal exploration.

What to know before you look closer

  • The group maximum is 40 people, making this a larger escorted tour.
  • Only four dinners are included across seven nights; most other meals are at your own expense.
  • Hondarribia is the single base hotel for all seven nights; daily excursions are by coach to other destinations.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Hondarribia

    From London to Hondarribia

    Meeting the Tour Manager at London St Pancras, board the Eurostar to Paris. Continue by rail to Dax in southwest France, then transfer by coach across the estuary and the Spanish border to Hondarribia. Check in to the central hotel for seven nights and have dinner together.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Hondarribia

    At leisure to explore Hondarribia

    Free day to discover Hondarribia at your own pace. Explore La Marina neighbourhood, the port, the beach, the medieval old town (Casco Antiguo), the 16th-century castle and Plaza de Armas. Sample pintxos and local cuisine. Dinner at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Hondarribia

    Excursion to San Sebastián

    Travel by coach to San Sebastián for a guided walking tour of the historic sights, with a stop to see coastal mountain Jaizkibel en route. Free time in the afternoon to explore independently, visit the beach, take a boat trip to Santa Clara island, or visit San Telmo Museum. Return by coach for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Hondarribia

    Free time in Hondarribia

    At leisure to discover more of Hondarribia or the surrounding area. Enjoy the sandy beach, walk along the Bidasoa River estuary, or explore the town's restaurants and pintxo bars. Dinner at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  5. Day 5railovernight: Hondarribia

    St Jean de Luz and the Petit Train de la Rhune

    Cross the French border by coach to the coastal fishing port of St Jean de Luz. Free time to explore and try local seafood for lunch. Afternoon trip on the authentic 1920s rack railway, the Petit Train de la Rhune, from Col de St Ignace to the summit of La Rhune (905m), with views of the Pyrenees, Atlantic Ocean and the Basque coast. Return to hotel for a three-course dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Hondarribia

    Discovering Hondarribia at your own pace

    Another free day to explore at leisure. Walk along the Hondarribia seafront promenade and the Butrón Boardwalk, or follow the Bay Path (Camino de la Bahia). Optional bus to Hendaye or ferry across the Bidasoa River. Dinner at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Hondarribia

    Exploring Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum

    Coach to Bilbao. Included entry to the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, featuring works by Jeff Koons and Louise Bourgeois. Free time to explore Bilbao's Old Town, Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park and Basque tapas restaurants. Coach back to Hondarribia for a final three-course dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    Final breakfast at the hotel, then coach to Hendaye and rail to Paris. Change trains in Paris and join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 5Board the Petit Train de la Rhune, a 1920s vintage rack railway, for a climb from Col de St Ignace to the 905-metre summit of La Rhune, with panoramic views across the Pyrenees and Atlantic Ocean.
  • Day 3Guided walking tour of San Sebastián's historic sights, including the coastal mountain Jaizkibel and the beaches around La Concha Bay.
  • Day 7Included entry to Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, followed by free time to explore the Old Town and Basque tapas restaurants.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 3-star hotel accommodation
  • Eurostar Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 4 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Entry to the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao

Not included

  • Cancellation and travel insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris in Standard Class, TGV rail from Paris to Dax, and return rail from Hendaye to Paris and London. The Petit Train de la Rhune mountain railway is also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from the start in London through the end in London. Guided walking tours are included in San Sebastián and Bilbao.
What is included in the price?
Seven nights at a 3-star hotel in Hondarribia, breakfast daily, four dinners, all rail and coach transport, guided tours, and entry to Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum. Eurostar Standard Class and all intercity rail are included.
How much free time is there?
Days 2, 4, and 6 are entirely free to explore Hondarribia at your own pace. Day 3 includes a guided morning in San Sebastián, then free afternoon. Day 7 has a guided morning at the Guggenheim in Bilbao, then free time in the afternoon.
When does the tour run?
The pack does not list published departures. Contact Great Rail Journeys to confirm available dates.
How much walking is involved?
Guided walking tours cover historic sights in San Sebastián and Bilbao. Free time allows beach walks, estuary paths, and town exploration at your own pace. The vintage mountain railway involves steps to board and disembark at 905 metres elevation.

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