The Best Towns to Stay in Basque Country (Where to Base Yourself)

Published October 1, 2026

Deciding where to stay in France and Spain’s Basque Country gives you many options, from the major city of Bilbao to the seaside city of San Sebastián, to Biarritz just over the French border. After three weeks in the region exploring these cities alongside smaller towns, I’m sharing a guide to where to base yourself in the Basque Region (both French and Spanish).

If you’re starting to plan a trip to the Basque Region, you’ll have many choices, from inland cities like Pamplona (in Navarre, part of the wider cultural Basque Country) to major coastal destinations along the Basque Coast. The Basque Region straddles both France and Spain on the western border along the Bay of Biscay, with several amazing towns and cities to explore.

We spent three weeks here, basing ourselves in a few of the major cities like Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Biarritz. But along the way, we discovered and spent many days in some of the other incredible Basque towns like Zumaia and Getaria in the Spanish Basque Country, and Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz in France.

There is a lot to choose from, so I’m going to give my intel from our time there to help you plan your trip and pick the right base for you. If you’re unsure of how to plan your itinerary, I have a 10-day Basque Country Itinerary (coming soon!) that includes all the highlights. Continue below to see the best towns to stay in France and Spain’s Basque region.

The Best Towns to Stay in Basque Country (Where to Base Yourself)

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Map of the Spanish and French Basque Region

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Best Towns to Stay in France and Spain’s Basque Region (For 7-10 Days)

If I had to pick the three best bases for a 7-10+ day trip across the Basque Region in France and Spain for first-time travelers, they would be Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Biarritz. All three of these are major cities with plenty of amenities and things to do in each, but are also well positioned to explore the region. These are the most convenient, offering the most choices for accommodations.

Beyond the three classic cities, there are a few smaller, more slow-going towns and villages that I feel offer a wonderful alternative for exploring this region as well. I’d look to places like Hondarribia in Spain and places like Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Bayonne on the French side. You could switch out some of the major cities for these as well.

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Best Towns to Base Yourself in the Spanish Basque Country

Bilbao: Best Major City for Art and City Life

When it comes to all things art and city life, Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country to explore. It’s the capital of Biscay (Bizkaia), one of the three provinces of Spain’s autonomous Basque Country. The city is happening, and there is a lot of development and change occurring within it. With the arrival of the Guggenheim in 1997, the city went from its historically industrial reputation to a city on the map for arts and culture.

With the arrival of the Guggenheim, a resurgence continued to grow in Bilbao. The well-preserved Casco Viejo (Old Town) is quintessential Basque. Small streets, lined with pintxo bars and one large square (Plaza Nueva), are the heart of the historic city. Today, Bilbao makes for a wonderful place to stay in the Basque Country for experiencing the incredible art museum and its historic old town.

Recommended Time: 2 Nights

Where to Stay in Bilbao

Read my guide on where to stay in Bilbao for my full list of recommendations.

Hotels

1. Enea Living (Where I Stayed / My Top Choice), for a chic apart-hotel near the Casco Viejo
2. Batimont Suites and Apartments (Where I Stayed), for a well-designed apart-hotel near the city center
3. The Artist Grand Hotel of Art, for the best luxury hotel right next to the Guggenheim
4. Meliá Bilbao, for the best family-friendly hotel with a pool
5. Hotel Tayko Bilbao, for a chic boutique hotel in Casco Viejo with a Michelin-starred restaurant

Airbnbs

1. Chic Minimal 1 Bedroom Apartment Near Lots of Dining, for the best bright, elevated stay
2. 2 Bedroom Old Town Apartment with Elevator, for the best located stay
3. 2 Bedroom Loft Near the Guggenheim, for the best contemporary stay

San Sebastián: Best Major City for Seaside and Cuisine

It’s hard not to love San Sebastián — what more could you ask for when it comes to a coastal getaway with a plethora of incredible food? San Sebastián is a delight for those who want a compact city center that is connected to beaches and several nearby destinations. I personally find San Sebastián to be one of the best bases in the region.

San Sebastián itself offers a lot to do with pintxo bars, the San Telmo Museum, and several outdoor experiences nearby like its beaches, Santa Clara Island, Monte Igueldo, and the Pagoeta Natural Park. Go just a bit further, and you’ll be able to explore nearby places like Zumaia, Hondarribia, and even a day trip to cities like Pamplona and Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Recommended Time: 4 Nights

Where to Stay in San Sebastián

Read my guide on where to stay in San Sebastián for my full list of recommendations.

Hotels

1. Hotel Arbaso (My Top Choice), for amazing design and beautiful interiors
2. Villa Favorita, for the best adults-only luxury hotel
3. Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, for the best historic luxury hotel
4. Hotel Villa Soro, for the best luxury stay with a countryside feel

Airbnbs

1. 2 Bedroom Apartment with AC and Parking (Where I Stayed), for the best stay near Ondarreta Beach
2. Bright, Cheery Studio Apartment with Self Check-In, for the best designed stay
3. 1 Bedroom Modern Apartment with Elevator Access, for a newly renovated stay
4. 1 Bedroom Cozy Apartment, for an architectural stay

Hondarribia: Best Small Coastal Town

Hondarribia was one of those towns that completely surprised me in character and charm. It sits right on the French border, and just across the way is Hendaye when you look north. The town of Hondarribia itself is split into two distinct areas: a fortified old town and then a seaside port. The historic old town has these incredible cobblestone streets lined with exceptionally preserved stone houses with colorful shutters.

I had the chance to spend some time in this small city, and I feel it’s the best smaller coastal town on the Spanish Basque Country side. You’re quite close to towns and cities in France, and a short drive northeast of San Sebastián. Hondarribia has a lovely central area as well with several restaurants around the Plaza de Armas, its main central square. It feels very Basque, and doesn’t feel as heavily touristed.

Recommended Time: 2-4 Nights

Where to Stay in Hondarribia

Hotels

1. Villa Magalean Hotel & Spa (My Top Choice), for the best luxury boutique hotel
2. Parador de Hondarribia, for a central Old Town historical property
3. Hotel Río Bidasoa, for the best hotel with a pool near town

Airbnbs

1. Charming 2 Bedroom Apartment in Historic Center, for the best newly renovated stay with balcony
2. Renovated Stone 2 Bedroom Apartment in Plaza de Armas, for the best designed stay
3. Charming 1 Bedroom Penthouse with Optional Paid Parking, for the best architectural stay

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Best Towns to Base Yourself in the French Basque Country

Biarritz: Best Major Coastal City

As you get over the French border, there is no better place to spend a few nights than the sparkling resort city of Biarritz. It’s one of my personal favorite places to go in France and makes for a wonderful break on the coast. The city is this mix of laidback surf town meets chic French city break, and I find it to be the best unfussed but elevated experience for a destination.

Biarritz offers a lot to do, from its city center and grand Les Halles Market to its beaches and picturesque coves. You have wonderful hotel choices here from boutique stays to grand palaces, which means there is something for everyone. Nearby, you can easily go explore other major destinations in the French Basque region as well, which makes it a convenient base. I recommend Biarritz to all first-time travelers to this region because you just can’t go wrong.

Recommended Time: 4+ Nights

Where to Stay in Biarritz

Read my guide on where to stay in Biarritz for my full list of recommendations.

Hotels

1. Le Talaia Hotel & Spa Biarritz (Where I Stayed / My Top Choice), for the best overall hotel in Biarritz with a pool
2. Hôtel du Palais, for the best luxury hotel in Biarritz
3. Regina Experimental, for the best design hotel
4. Le Garage, for a laidback stay near Miramar Beach
5. Hotel de Silhouette, for the best boutique design hotel in the center
6. Hôtel Roc Seven Biarritz, for the best hotel near Port-Vieux
7. Hôtel Saint-Julien, for the budget design stay

Airbnbs

1. 1 Bedroom Apartment With Ocean View Terrace by Miramar Beach, for panoramic ocaen views
2. Chic 1 Bedroom Apartment by the Grande Plage, for the best elegant stay
3. Chic 1 Bedroom Apartment Steps from Port-Vieux, for the best calm stay near the beach
4. Cozy 1 Bedroom With Parking Near Les Halles, for the best located stay
5. 1 Bedroom Luxury Lodge Style Apartment in Bibi, for the best designed stay with garden
6. Chic 2 Bedroom Designer Apartment in Bibi, for the best artful stay

Saint-Jean-de-Luz: Best Charming Seaside Town

As someone who has personally visited Saint-Jean-de-Luz several times, I recommend this city as an alternative to Biarritz for people who want somewhere smaller that still packs a lot of charm. This Basque fishing port has a wonderfully condensed city center that is mostly pedestrian. Then, just behind it, there’s a long stretch of sand with an incredible beach and seaside hotels.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz has changed a lot over the last few years. I remember as a kid it was a more sleepy getaway, but today several restaurants have opened, and it is a happening place to be. In fact, the next time I return to the Côte Basque, I would choose to spend a few nights in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and consider this as a base for exploring the French Basque Region.

Recommended Time: 3-4 Nights

Where to Stay in Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Hotels

1. Thalazur Saint-Jean-de-Luz, for the best boutique hotel
2. Grand Hôtel Spa & Thalasso, for the most luxurious hotel by the sea
3. BIZIPOZ Hotel, for a chic affordable hotel in town
4. La Réserve, for an upscale luxury getaway just outside of town

Airbnbs

1. 2 Bedroom Chic City Apartment, for the best stylish apartment
2. 2 Bedroom Apartment with Ocean View Terrace, for the best sea-view apartment with a private terrace

Bayonne: Best Inland City for Culture

Bayonne is one of those cities that once you arrive, you wish you could stay a bit longer. Besides being known for the “Fêtes de Bayonne,” an annual party with everyone dressed in red and white in July, it’s a city steeped in regional cuisine and culture. As the French capital city of culture for Pays Basque, Bayonne is loaded with Michelin-rated restaurants and a charming old town.

Bayonne is one of those places you pick to stay if you want to explore further into the countryside of the French Basque Region. You’re still a short drive from the coast of Biarritz, so it does work well as a base, but you’re more inland where the Nive and Adour rivers meet. The city does have dozens of restaurants and cafes, alongside charming historic pedestrian streets with a riverside food hall. So you’ll find plenty to do there, with lots of options for day trips.

Recommended Time: 2+ Nights

Where to Stay in Bayonne

Hotels

1. Hôtel & Restaurant Des Basses Pyrénées, a chic renovated hotel at an affordable price
2. Hôtel Villa KOEGUI Bayonne, for the best modern upscale hotel
3. Mercure Bayonne Centre – Le Grand Hôtel, for a well-rounded hotel

Airbnbs

1. A Chic 1 Bedroom Luxury Flat in the Heart of Bayonne, for the best luxury stay
2. Charming 2 Bedroom Apartment with Balcony in Old Town, for the best Old Town views
3. Cute 1 Bedroom Apartment in Old Town, for an updated top floor flat with elevator

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