Hondarribia, Fuenterrabía in Spanish, with about 17,000 inhabitants, is a town in the Basque Country, in Gipuzkoa, at the mouth of the Bidasoa river, which marks the border with France. Facing it, across Txingudi bay, is French Hendaye. It is one of the prettiest towns on the Basque coast.
History
Its frontier position made Hondarribia a stronghold for centuries, besieged many times by the French. The most famous siege was in 1638, lasting over two months: the townspeople's resistance was credited to the help of the Virgin of Guadalupe, still honoured today with the Alarde.
What to see
- The Parte Vieja, the walled old town, with cobbled streets, houses with wooden balconies and coats of arms, and the Santa María gate.
- Charles V's castle, a medieval fortress enlarged in the 16th century, now a parador, on Plaza de Armas.
- The Gothic church of Santa María de la Asunción y del Manzano, where in 1660 the proxy wedding of Louis XIV of France and the Infanta Maria Theresa took place.
- The Marina quarter, the old fishermen's district, with balconies and shutters painted green, blue and red, and San Pedro Kalea, full of pintxo bars.
- The sanctuary of Guadalupe, on Mount Jaizkibel, with coastal views.
Nature and sea
Hondarribia's wide, sheltered beach suits families. Mount Jaizkibel has scenic clifftop trails and the Higer lighthouse. Boats link Hondarribia with Hendaye in a few minutes.
Festivals and food
The Alarde, on 8 September, is a costumed military parade commemorating the 1638 siege, with thousands of participants, drums and fifes. Food: pintxos, grilled fish, txangurro (stuffed spider crab), txakoli and cider. Hondarribia has several Michelin-starred restaurants.
Getting there
Hondarribia is about 20 km from San Sebastián, linked by bus. San Sebastián airport is right next to the town. Euskotren trains reach Irun, a few kilometres away.