PSGMARTINO

We are going to be spending a week in San Sebastian in September for a wedding. We would like to take a day to explore some nearby coastal towns... St Jean de Luz; Biarritz... What others are worth a visit and what is the best way to explore them? Is there a bus or train or should we rent a car for the day?

Thank you!

Robert2533

You can drive the coastal route from Hendaye to Ciboure and then on to Guethary, Bidart & Bayonne. The bus takes too long and forget the train for exploring this area.

Take a look at Maribel's Guide to the Pays Basque for more information (www.maribelsguides.com).

bobthenavigator

I would get a car for 3 days and try to include the French Basque country at St. Johns Pied du Port in a loop to include the coast as far as Biaritz.

PSGMARTINO

Thanks for the suggestions... Is this an easy area to drive around?

Michael

Saint-Jean-de-Luz

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57627163616289

Apshawaya

I would definitely say it is a pretty easy area to drive around in. There is no problem crossing the border from Spain to France. Also, all of the coastal towns you will want to visit will be off of the same main road and the drive is not to Biarritz is not so long anyway.

I personally like Saint-Jean-de-Luz better that Biaritz, but they are not so far away from each other, so it is easy to check out both. And it is worth it too!

I also like Hondarribia and Pasai Donibane in Spain. They are also on the way to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biaritz. But, it may be too much to do in one day. Ultimately though, if you do not have so much time, I would always choose going to France. It is a different culture and it always nice to eat some French crepes.

You may find this page below on San Sebastian helpful too. I have a good bit of information on it and the articles at the bottom may help you with a few specific aspects of your trip.

http://www.apshawaya.com/san-sebastian.html

amer_can

Apshawaya says it all very well. I would second these suggestions..Play it by ear and stop where ever you feel the area calls to you!!! Driving is easy and all roads led to somewhere.Do the smaller roads and enjoy!!

HappyTrvlr

Make sure you go up into the nearby hills to visit Sare, Ainhoa, Espellette, Acain, Basque villages, charming.

Cathinjoetown

Bayonne gets overlooked somewhat as it's inland but on the confluence of two rivers, pretty old town and excellent small museum of Basque history. We've had a great lunch twice at Le Bayonnais on the quai just outside the museum and just across a short bridge from the old town.

Guess we need to give St. Jean de Luz a second chance, we didn't like it much on a day trip. I just returned from two nights in Hondarribia, quiet alternative to San Seb., at least where we stayed. There is a frequent express bus to/from San Sebastiàn, 2.30€, half an hour.

Oops, just re-checked your first post, you've probably come and gone by now. I'll leave this for others, also interested in what you ended up doing.