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Voykit pocket guide · Spain
Hondarribia
Spend a half‑day in Hondarribia’s walled old town and marina; add a night if you want a relaxed dinner and sunset walk.
Hondarribia is a small Basque border town with a compact historic centre, a lively pintxos scene and a beach. Its sights are within walking distance, so a single half‑day covers the main attractions; an overnight stay lets you enjoy evening pintxos and the waterfront.
- Country
- Spain
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (cool, rainier)
- Stay
- 0.5–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR, €). Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, including tapas bars and taxis in the cities.
- Daily spend
- Budget €40–60 excl. bed · Mid €60–100 excl. bed · High €100+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- EU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.
- Emergency
- Police 091 · Fire & ambulance 062 · General emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin plugs; UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Bar or café: Leave small change or nothing.; Restaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro.; Hotel porter: €1–2 a bag.; Guide on a free walking tour: €10–15 a person is the expected payment.
- Water
- Tap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas. Ask for 'agua del grifo' in restaurants — by law since 2025 they must offer it free (check local application).
- Toilets
- Few public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee). Stations and shopping centres have free or cheap toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Pintxos | €1.40–2.40 each |
| Coffee | €1.20–2.00 |
| Meal (mid‑range restaurant) | €12–20 |
| Bus ticket (local) | €2–3 |
| Ferry to Hendaye | €6–8 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- EAS · San Sebastián Airport
- 15 km (9.3 mi) away; shuttle bus every 15–30 min9.3 mi (15 km) away; shuttle bus every 15–30 min
- BIQ · Biarritz Airport (France)
- 20 km (12 mi) away; flights to major EU hubs12 mi (20 km) away; flights to major EU hubs
Typical fares
- Bus Irún ↔ Hondarribia round‑trip
- ≈ €4 per person
- Ferry Hondarribia ↔ Hendaye
- ≈ €7 per person
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town is walkable; local bus connects to Irún (4 km (2.5 mi)) and San Sebastián (15 km (9.3 mi)). Ferry runs frequently to Hendaye (France).Town is walkable; local bus connects to Irún (2.5 mi (4 km)) and San Sebastián (9.3 mi (15 km)). Ferry runs frequently to Hendaye (France).
See and do
Known for
- medieval walls and Castle of Charles V
- pintxos bars such as Yola Berri and Gran Sol
- Marina and Ondarraitz beach
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| San Sebastián | Bus from Hondarribia to San Sebastián, about 30 min | ≈45 min total |
| Hendaye (France) | Ferry from Hondarribia harbour, 10 min crossing | ≈20 min |
Sleep
- Hotel Río Bidasoa
- Mid‑range, €80‑100 per night, garden breakfast
- Parador de Hondarribia
- Historic castle hotel, €200 low season, €372 high season
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Barkatubarkatu |
| Thank you | Eskerrik askoeskerrik asko |
| How much is it? | Zenbat da?zenbat da? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Non dago komun?non dago komun? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Two kisses on the cheek (right then left) between friends and when introduced socially; handshake in business; avoid: Being stiff — Spaniards stand close and touch arms
- Meal times: Late lunch and dinner; long sobremesa (chat after eating); avoid: Rushing to leave or asking for the bill with the last bite
- Noise: Join in the lively conversation; avoid: Reading loud voices as anger
- Siesta hours: Keep noise down in residential buildings 15:00–17:00 and after 23:00; avoid: Phone calls to people at lunch time
- Dress: Smart casual in cities; locals rarely wear shorts in Madrid in town; avoid: Swimwear or bare torsos away from the beach
- Regional pride: Ask about local dishes and festivals; avoid: Assuming Catalan or Basque are dialects of Spanish
Scams and watch-outs
- Limited parking in the old town; use public transport or walk.
- Summer festivals can crowd pintxos bars; expect queues until late.
Generally safe; stay aware of pickpockets in crowded festivals and keep an eye on traffic when crossing narrow streets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Hondarribia yet. Suggested stay: 0.5–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- medieval walls and Castle of Charles V
- pintxos bars such as Yola Berri and Gran Sol
- Marina and Ondarraitz beach
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Hondarribia, revision 5316224 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5316224
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/hondarribia). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.