The historic center of Fontarrabie

The typical, picturesque village of Fontarrabie is one of the region's finest examples of Basque-Spanish culture and architecture. With its facades of brightly-colored wood contrasting with the surrounding white, its pedestrian streets, ancient fortifications and cathedral, it's a Basque journey summed up in one town. Numerous cafés and "pintxos" bars line the route for a gastronomic break.

Details

1457206
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.08 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 30 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 31 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 31 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start: Car park

(S/E) From the car park, take the exit leading to the town center and head for the nearby Church of the Marina.
Continue straight ahead, leaving the church behind. Cross the first street, "Zuloaga Kalea",
before joining "San Pedro Kalea", which you follow to the left.

Walk down this street, lined with plane trees, to the roundabout at Place San Kristobal.
Cross the roundabout to take the "Javier Ugarte Kalea", which you follow for about 100 m before taking the first turn on the right. Follow this street up to a square lined with arcades, the Gipuzkoa Plaza.

(1) Turn right into "Satarka Kalea", then left at the end of the street into Uria Harresia Kalea. It passes the ancient medieval gateway, "Puerta de San Nicolas", and runs alongside the old town wall. Turn left at the old tower and continue along the old walls to reach the "Puerta de Santa Maria".

Go left up the "Nagusia kalea". It climbs steeply to reach the Church of Santa María de la Asunción y del Manzano and its majestic bell tower. Leave it on the right and turn left at the end of the street into the Place d'Armes or Arma Plaza.

(2) Cross the plaza to Ipanaldeko kalea, which you follow for about 10 m before taking the first left. Follow this street for about 50 m and take the first right, "Juan Laborda" "kalea", which you follow until you reach a small square.
At this point, take the stairs on the other side of the cobbled street and go down to the "Sabin Arana Goiri kalea". Turn right.

(3) Take the first turning on the left, "Zuberoa kalea", and follow it towards the quays. Once on the riverbank, walk up the quays on the left. Follow the riverbank to its end, fork left and then immediately right.
The road then leads back to the car park from which you started(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1 m - Port of Fontarrabie car park - Bidassoa (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 0.67 - alt. 20 m - Gipuzkoa Plaza
  3. 2 : km 1.27 - alt. 31 m - Arma Plaza
  4. 3 : km 1.55 - alt. 5 m - Zuberoa Kalea
  5. S/E : km 2.08 - alt. 0 m - Port of Fontarrabie car park

Notes

Start: Car park

Note: A very easy urban hike for the whole family.

Refrehsments : Numerous cafés and "pintxos" bars are available along the way for a gastronomic or gourmet break.

Worth a visit

  • San Pedro Kalea: an authentic alleyway lined with typical facades and terraces shaded by plane trees.
  • Gipuzkoa Plaza: a typical arcade-lined square in the heart of the historic city center. In summer, a stage is set up for performances.
  • Puerta de San Nicolas, the city's ancient medieval gateway.
  • Old medieval wall with views over the city.
  • Puerta de Santa Maria and Kalea Nagusia.
  • Santa María de la Asunción y del Manzano church.
  • Place d'Armes, with its colorful facades and ocean views.
  • The banks of the Bidassoa River.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Elo79
Elo79

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A rather short but very interesting walk that allows you to discover a very pretty town. Great for exploring the streets, admiring the pretty façades and enjoying beautiful views.

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Hélène0178
Hélène0178

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A route that takes about two hours to climb.

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User 7969015

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little town where you can see Basque architecture

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godillot49
godillot49

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a plunge into the Middle Ages, just across the Bidasoa river

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guiton13
guiton13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Shave!
Thank you

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Pou95
Pou95

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very practical itinerary if you don't know the city, as it allows you to see all the interesting sites.

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titine1
titine1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

No parking problems, as we came by boat from Hendaye for the day.

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Gisèle 94
Gisèle 94

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant way to discover the town's rich architectural heritage.

N.B. We parked at the beach car park (affordable price) as parking is very difficult in August on the way to the town centre.
The route along the sea is pleasant.

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laridany
laridany

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The tour of Fontarrabie is very good, and we followed it so we didn't miss anything.
The colours and different flags on the houses are very typically Basque.
We took the shuttle bus from Hendaye, and the crossing was short and pleasant. Quicker than going round by car

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preventout
preventout

We went for a walk around the fortified town and the fishermen's quarter, without using (although I had charged it) the Visorando documents. But I recommend this walk as it's superb. This tour wasn't too busy because there weren't too many people. I think it must be different in high season. We parked in the (free) supermarket car park when we got to Hondarribia. You don't have to be afraid of walking.

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Thierryb26
Thierryb26
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hondarribia is well worth a visit. Don't hesitate to leave the suggested itinerary and get lost in the adjacent streets...
The car park after the roundabout at the end of Itsasargi Kalea is free except in July and August (which makes the visit along the seafront a little longer).

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cathrando2254
cathrando2254
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An easy, short walk through the village, taking in the main points of interest and suitable for all the family.

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