Explore two of the most beautiful villages in the French Basque Country on this day trip to Espelette and Ainhoa. We’ll also cross into Navarre to visit the famous Zugarramurdi caves. A must-do experience!
Day Trip Details
Would you like to discover two of the most unique and beautiful villages in the French Basque Pyrenees? At the indicated time, we’ll begin this day trip to Espelette and Ainhoa. We’ll also complete the route with a visit to the famous Zugarramurdi caves. Ready? Let’s go!
First, we’ll head to Espelette, a village famous for its dried red peppers. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of this town, considered one of the most beautiful villages in the French Basque Country, where we’ll admire its white façades decorated with strings of peppers.
We’ll also immerse ourselves in its history and lively atmosphere as we stroll through Espelette’s historic center to see landmarks such as the Church of Saint-Étienne and the Castle of the Barons of Espelette. It’s not all about peppers!
After a 1-hour visit, we’ll return to the minibus and head to Ainhoa, just 15 minutes away. Located on the border between Spain and France, this village is another of the great highlights of the French Basque Country, thanks to its traditional timber-framed houses. During our approximately 45-minute tour of Ainhoa, we’ll stop at its main attractions, including the Church of the Assumption, the old washhouse, and the Town Hall.
Once we’ve enjoyed these lands that perfectly blend the culture and traditions of both countries, we’ll cross into Navarre to visit the Zugarramurdi caves.
Nestled in the heart of the Baztán Valley, these karst caves invite us to delve into the legends of Navarrese mythology. During the 1 hour and 15-minute visit, we’ll discover the beauty of these galleries sculpted by water while listening to the many stories of covens and witchcraft hidden within them. The perfect ending to the day trip!
Finally, we’ll head back to the starting point, where we’ll say our goodbyes after a total of 5 hours.
Meeting Points
When booking, you can choose where you’d like to begin the day trip:
- Tour from Bayonne: at 9:15 am at the Bayonne Tourist Office, located at 25 Pl. des Basques, 64100 Bayonne, France
- Tour from Biarritz: at 9:30 am at the Biarritz Tourist Office, located at Sq. d'Ixelles, 64200 Biarritz, France