expedia
One Key

Earn OneKeyCash when you sign in and book an activity

Tour of the villages of the French Basque Pyrenees: Espelette, Ainhoa, and Sare

By buendía
9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is AU$106 per adult

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 8h 30m+
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages

Overview

  • Discover Espelette and its famous peppers hanging on the traditional façades.
  • Ainhoa, one of the most beautiful villages in France, full of Basque charm.
  • Stroll through Sare, its church, quiet streets, and unique rural atmosphere.
  • Combine guided tours and free time in three jewels of the French Pyrenees.
  • Convenient departure from Bilbao and San Sebastian with a tour guide and a modern bus.

Activity location

    • Bilbao
    • Bilbao, País Vasco, Spain

Meeting/Redemption Point

    • Federico García Lorca Pasealekua, 1, 20012 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, España | Your Buendía Travel guide will be waiting for you inside the San Sebastián Bus Station, on Level 0, next to the luggage lockers and restrooms.
    • Donostia / San Sebastián, Euskadi, Spain

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

English tour from San Sebastian

  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • English

English tour from San Sebastian

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:30 AM
Price details
AU$106.16 x 1 AdultAU$106.16
Total
Price is AU$106.16
Until Fri, 29 May

Spanish tour from San Sebastián

  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • Spanish

Spanish tour from San Sebastián

Language options: Spanish
Starting time: 9:30 AM
Price details
AU$106.16 x 1 AdultAU$106.16
Total
Price is AU$106.16
Until Fri, 29 May

English tour from Bilbao

  • Activity duration is 10 hours and 30 minutes10h 30m
    10h 30m
  • English

English tour from Bilbao

Language options: English
Starting time: 8:00 AM
Price details
AU$112.69 x 1 AdultAU$112.69
Total
Price is AU$112.69
Until Fri, 29 May

Spanish tour from Bilbao

  • Activity duration is 10 hours and 30 minutes10h 30m
    10h 30m
  • Spanish

Spanish tour from Bilbao

Language options: Spanish
Starting time: 8:00 AM
Price details
AU$112.69 x 1 AdultAU$112.69
Total
Price is AU$112.69
Until Fri, 29 May

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Official, bilingual guide (English, Spanish-speaking)
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Transport by private, air-conditioned bus
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Guided walking tour of Sare
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Guided walk in Ainhoa
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Guided walking tour in Espelette and free time
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Meals & drinks
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Entrance fees to monuments or museums

Know before you book

  • Not allowed: Pets (assistance dogs allowed)
  • Not suitable for: People with mobility impairments, Wheelchair users

What you can expect

Discover the charm of the French Basque Country on an unforgettable excursion from Bilbao, also departing from San Sebastian, ideal for those who want to explore some of the most beautiful and authentic villages across the border.

After leaving from Bilbao and picking up the rest of the group in San Sebastián, we'll enter a landscape of green hills and traditional farmhouses until we cross into France and reach Sare, considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. Upon arrival, we'll stroll through its historic centre and visit the Church of Saint-Martin de Sare, one of its main symbols. Surrounded by nature and with a strong Basque character, Sare offers a perfect first contact with the region.

The route continues to Ainhoa, a small, picturesque village with a linear structure that stands out for the beauty of its high street, flanked by white houses with colourful shutters. Here we can admire the architectural ensemble and visit the Church of Ainhoa, as well as the traditional wash house and the area around the town hall, which reflect the history and daily life of the area.

The last stop will be in Espelette, internationally famous for its iconic red pepper, the “piment d'Espelette”, which adorns the façades of its houses. This lively town combines tradition, gastronomy, and a unique atmosphere. Here you will have enough time to enjoy lunch at your leisure, taste local products, and stroll through its colourful streets. Be sure to visit the Church of Saint-Étienne or head to the Espelette Pepper Interpretation Centre to learn more about this iconic product.

After a day full of scenery, culture, and flavours, we'll head back to San Sebastian and Bilbao, bringing to a close a complete experience that combines the best of the French Basque Country: charming villages, living traditions, and unique cuisine.

A perfect tour for those looking to discover places with personality, history, and beauty in a single day.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Bilbao
    • Bilbao, País Vasco, Spain

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Federico García Lorca Pasealekua, 1, 20012 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, España | Your Buendía Travel guide will be waiting for you inside the San Sebastián Bus Station, on Level 0, next to the luggage lockers and restrooms.
    • Donostia / San Sebastián, Euskadi, Spain
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Federico García Lorca Pasealekua, 1, 20012 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, España | Your Buendía Travel guide will be waiting for you inside the San Sebastián Bus Station, on Level 0, next to the luggage lockers and restrooms.
    • Donostia / San Sebastián, Euskadi, Spain
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Mazarredo Zumarkalea, 60, Abando, 48009 Bilbao, Bizkaia, España | The BUENDÍA TRAVEL guides will be waiting in front of the floral sculpture of Puppy (Mazarredo Zumarkalea, 60, 48009 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain).
    • Bilbao, Euskadi, Spain
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Mazarredo Zumarkalea, 60, Abando, 48009 Bilbao, Bizkaia, España | The BUENDÍA TRAVEL guides will be waiting in front of the floral sculpture of Puppy (Mazarredo Zumarkalea, 60, 48009 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain).
    • Bilbao, Euskadi, Spain