Tourism
Hendaye,
the last French beach before Spain
Hendaye brings together within a few kilometers what many look for in a Basque Coast holiday: the region’s longest sandy beach in a sheltered bay, an intriguing castle-observatory, a wild corniche, and the Spanish border just a step away.
Located at the southernmost tip of the Basque coastline, only twenty minutes from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, this resort has plenty to offer. Not sure where to start when planning your trip? Don’t worry, our 3-star campsite in the Basque Country is here to help!
Castle-Observatory
Hendaye’s Highlights
- Hendaye beach, about 3 km long, is the largest stretch of sand in the Basque Country and remains sheltered from heavy swells thanks to its bay.
- The Abbadia Castle-Observatory, built by Viollet-le-Duc between 1864 and 1884, houses an astronomical observatory that remained active until 1975.
- To the south of the town, Txingudi Bay marks the natural border with Spain and is home to a Natura 2000-listed bird island.
- The Basque Corniche features about 8 km of flysch cliffs protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral, stretching to the Deux Jumeaux rocks.
- The town is easily accessible: from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, both train and car allow you to reach Hendaye in about twenty minutes.
- Spain and Hondarribia can be reached in just a few minutes from Hendaye!
Hendaia
Hendaye
Beach and Swimming
Hendaye beach owes its reputation to its bay shape: nearly 3 km of fine sand, it remains protected from the powerful Atlantic waves, making swimming pleasant and safer than on the open exposed coast.
According to the Hendaye tourist office, this layout makes it an ideal spot for families and surfing beginners. A dozen schools on the seafront provide lessons for both beginners and experienced surfers.
Its layout reassures parents watching young children, while leaving enough space to set down your towel even during the summer peak, all during your stay at a campsite right near Hendaye.
Traveler Reviews
Many visitors describe Hendaye beach as the most pleasant beach in the southwest for children, a safe stretch of sand where swimming remains easy for everyone.
Nature Side
Wild nature is undoubtedly Hendaye’s most beautiful side, alternating between cliffs, moorland, and wetlands.
And the good news is, several of these sites can be explored on foot, often for free, right along the ocean.
Here are the natural areas not to be missed around the town:
- The Basque Corniche features about 8 km of flysch cliffs between Hendaye and Ciboure, on land protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral.
- The Deux Jumeaux Rocks, witnesses to coastal erosion, can be admired from Pointe Sainte-Anne.
- The Txingudi Bay, formed where the Bidasoa meets the ocean, is home to a bird island listed in the European Natura 2000 network.
- The Abbadia Estate blends meadows, walking trails, and beautiful coastal views around the castle of the same name.
The Merko Lacarra campsite team’s favourite
“At the end of the day, take the walking trail that goes from the Corniche to Pointe Sainte-Anne.
You’ll have a beautiful view of the flysch cliffs and the Deux Jumeaux rocks, far from the hustle and bustle of the main beach.
A few minutes by car from the center of Hendaye, or a beautiful walk along the coast, is all it takes to enjoy a landscape you’ll remember for a long time! ”
Rocks
Heritage Side
The Abbadia Castle-Observatory overlooks the Hendaye cliffs and holds the bulk of the local heritage. Built between 1864 and 1884 by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc for the explorer Antoine d’Abbadie, this neo-Gothic manor also housed an active scientific center.
According to the Abbadia Castle-Observatory, its astronomical observatory operated from 1879 to 1975 and led to the publication of several catalogs listing nearly 50,000 stars.
Want to visit? Allow at least two hours to explore its library, chapel, and observatory.
Local tip: remember to visit the Abbadia estate, admire the town’s half-timbered architecture, and take a walk along the Bidasoa river! These activities are among the most beautiful discoveries in Hendaye!
Sport and Ocean
Hendaye satisfies both board sports fans and outdoor enthusiasts. Indeed, the calm and protected Txingudi Bay is perfect for learning sailing and kayaking, while the more athletic can try jet-skiing or fly-surfing. The main beach remains a surf spot accessible to beginners.
As for hikers, they aren’t left out, as the town marks the start of the GR10 towards the Pyrenees as well as a stage of the Camino del Norte towards Santiago de Compostela.
Feedback from the Merko Lacarra campsite team
“Hendaye Bay remains our go-to for beginners and children: we direct families there as soon as the swell picks up on the Acotz beaches!. ”
Antton, Campsite Manager
Getting to Hendaye from Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Getting to Hendaye from Saint-Jean-de-Luz takes about twenty minutes by train or car, and several other options exist! Here are the main ways to access Hendaye:
- By train, the TER line connects the two stations in just fifteen minutes, making it the fastest option.
- By car, allow an average of 25 minutes via the A63 motorway or the D810 road, then park near the main beach.
- By bus, lines 4, 14, 15, and 26 of the Txik Txak network serve Hendaye, with regular service from Monday to Sunday.
- By bike, the Vélodyssée (EuroVelo 1) follows a route along the corniche, with beautiful landscapes and a few climbs.
- On foot, the coastal path runs along the Basque Corniche for travelers who want to reach the seaside resort at their own pace.
Campsite tip
A Txik Txak stop is located right at the entrance to our campsite in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
It’s convenient for reaching the center of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the Basque coast lines without taking the car or looking for a parking space by the beach!
Want to discover Hendaye without wasting time on the road? From our eco-friendly campsite in the Basque Country, in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and 50 m from the beach, you are ideally placed to explore the entire Basque coast, from Txingudi Bay to the Spanish border! Book your stay now and plan each day as you wish, between beach, nature, and heritage!
Sources:
Conservatoire du Littoral, Abbadia Basque Corniche
La Vélodyssée, Saint-Jean-de-Luz / Hendaye-Plage
Txik Txak, lines 4 and 140
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