Biarritz
The city has started to attract surfers from all around the world after the film "The Sun Also Rises" (1957), an adaptation of the Ernest Hemingway novel. It has 6 kilometers of beaches and the town is also famous for seawater therapies. Hotel du Palais is still one of the city's most emblematic buildings. It was built as a private villa for Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III, in the shape of an "E" letter. Being an Andalucian, Eugenie had never forgotten her visits to Biarritz as a child. After she sold the property, it was turned into a hotel and casino that has welcomed many European aristocrats and celebrities. While you are there, make sure that you visit the Lighthouse and the Virgin's Rock for their panoramic views and the historic covered market of Les Halles for buying local specialties.
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Beaumanoir
A small luxury hotel located at a one-hectare peaceful garden 2 kilometers from the city center.
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Hotel du Palais
A Belle Epoque palace with notable restaurants and a spa overlooking the ocean.
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Bistro 2 Genies
A small restaurant promoting quality local products at a relaxed atmosphere.
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Chez Albert
It welcomes guests at a nice terrace facing the open sea on the Port des Pêcheurs (Fishermen Wharf). The menu is made up of wild fish sourced from the St Jean de Luz fish market.
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L'Auberge Basque
Carefully selected local produce (Banka trout, Urruty farm pigeon, Saint Jean de Luz bonito) are served by the talented chef Cédric Béchade at this wonderful inn a few kilometers outside the city.
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Les Rosiers
A small one-Michelin star restaurant managed by a chef couple.
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Saint Jean de Luz
In 17th century, this port city became the main base for Basque pirates and started to shine thanks to the wealth brought in by them. The Old Town has many charming timbered Basque houses dating back to that golden age. Walk along the Rue Gambetta, the main pedestrian street of the city center, to buy local products and to see Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste. This elegant church hosted one of the most important royal weddings in history between the French King Louis XIV and Spanish Princess Maria Theresa in 1660. Maison Louis XIV, the house where the French King was hosted during his visit, is also one of the most charming buildings of the city and is still inhabited by the same family.
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Le Kaïku
One Michelin star restaurant with a contemporary menu at the city's oldest building.
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Maison Adam
You can find best gâteaux and macarons basque at this patisserie founded at 1660.
Zarautz
This summer destination became popular among European aristocracy in the 19th century. The palatial seaside mansions built by them have later been replaced by modern apartment buildings, but today Zarautz is still a main tourist spot due to its 2.5 km-long beach and perfect surfing conditions. Every September the town hosts Rip Curl Pro Surf Zarautz championship.
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Aiten-Etxe
An elegant seafood restaurant along the coast serving traditional Basque cuisine.
Getaria
Located 25 kilometers from San Sebastian, this little old hamlet attracts visitors with its modern port facilities, gastronomical delights and green hills of txakoli vineyards. Famous Spanish fashion designer Cristobal Balenciaga was also born here, so you would find a little elegant museum dedicated to him as well.
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Itxas Etxe
A small restaurant to mix with locals at lunch time.
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Kaia Kai-Pe
A nice restaurant overlooking the port offering great seafood.
Mundaka
The little village of Mundaka was discovered by surfers from around the world in the 1960s. It is a unique place not only because it has the longest left-hand wave of Europe, but also because it offers the best surfing conditions, as it breaks on a rivermouth sandbar, rather than on rocks or corals. Make sure that you visit wetlands of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve for bird-spotting or Laida Beach, which is a one-kilometer-long stretch of golden sand.
Arboleda
This old mining town located in Valle de Trápaga-Trapagaran is a nice recreation area locals go for a day out in the nature and a nice meal at the local gastronomical restaurants around. A cable car dating back to 1926 is still used for the transport there, offering beautiful views of the bay Abra de Bilbao.
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Restaurant Leon XIII
Traditional restaurant specialized at the regional specialty of “alubias con sacramentos” made of beans and sausages.
Getxo
Easily reached by metro from Bilbao in half an hour, Getxo is a lively port right at the mouth of Estuary of Bilbao. The Old Port of Algorta is one of the most popular districts that attract visitors with its small white fishermen’s cottages and several bars serving pintxos (bar snacks). Another attraction is the Vizcaya Bridge, a 19th century ironwork bridge that is under protection as a UNESCO World Heritage. It is an outstanding architectural icon of the Industrial Revolution and the first bridge in the world to carry people and traffic on a high suspended gondola.