What to see in Hondarribia from Sunbilla: old town, La Marina and one-day guide
Hondarribia is one of the coastal day trips that best complements a rural stay in Sunbilla. In a single day you can move from the woods and valleys of northern Navarra to a fortified town on Txingudi Bay, with a medieval centre, former fishing quarter, pintxos, waterfront walks and views towards France.
The key to understanding Hondarribia is that it has two very different environments: the walled old town on higher ground and the lower Marina district facing the harbour and bay.
Hondarribia in one day: quick route
• Start at Santa María Gate and enter the medieval old town.
• Walk up Kale Nagusia to Arma Plaza and Carlos V Castle.
• Visit the area around Santa María de la Asunción y del Manzano Church.
• Continue through Plaza Gipuzkoa and part of the fortifications.
• Head down to La Marina for lunch or pintxos.
• Finish on Paseo Butrón, by the bay or beach; add Jaizkibel if you have extra time.
1. Enter through Santa María Gate
Santa María Gate is one of the characteristic entrances to the fortified centre and a natural place to begin. Beyond it, stone streets preserve the historic structure of the old town.
From here, Kale Nagusia leads towards Hondarribia's monumental core between heraldic houses, balconies and buildings from different periods.
Arma Plaza and Carlos V Castle. Photo: Zarateman / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0.
2. Arma Plaza and Carlos V Castle
Arma Plaza is one of the central spaces of the old town and offers views towards Txingudi Bay. It is dominated by Carlos V Castle, now operating as a Parador.
The square is also a useful orientation point before exploring the inner streets, walls and viewpoints.
3. Santa María de la Asunción y del Manzano
Close by stands Santa María de la Asunción y del Manzano Church, a Gothic building with Renaissance elements constructed between the 15th and 16th centuries.
Even without an in-depth heritage visit, the church and its surroundings are part of the essential old-town route.
4. Walk the streets and fortifications
Inside the walls, cobbled streets are lined with wrought-iron balconies, carved eaves and historic facades. Calle Mayor, San Nikolas and Plaza Gipuzkoa form an easy walking sequence.
Walking around part of the fortifications also helps explain Hondarribia's long strategic importance on the border.
5. Go down to La Marina
La Marina changes the atmosphere completely. It is the old fishing quarter, and San Pedro and Santiago streets contain some of Hondarribia's most recognisable colourful facades.
Painted balconies and narrow houses reflect the town's maritime tradition and now sit alongside bars, restaurants and terraces.
La Marina district. Photo: Zarateman / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0.
6. San Pedro Street and pintxos
San Pedro Street is one of the best places to take a break. Food ranges from pintxos and seafood cooking to more elaborate restaurant menus.
There is no need to turn lunch into a competitive bar crawl: choosing one or two places and leaving time to continue walking generally makes for a better day.
San Pedro Street, Hondarribia. Photo: Larraitz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
7. Paseo Butrón and Txingudi Bay
From La Marina, Paseo Butrón follows the waterfront with views towards Hendaye and Irun. It is an excellent way to finish the urban part of the visit.
Passenger boats also cross from this area to Hendaye, making it possible to add a short international boat trip to the day.
8. Hondarribia Beach
Hondarribia beach is roughly 800 metres long and provides showers, changing rooms, lifeguards, parking and facilities for visitors with reduced mobility.
In summer it can be a natural end to the day; outside the bathing season it is still a good seaside walk.
9. Jaizkibel if you have more time
Jaizkibel rises west of Hondarribia and offers some of the area's widest coastal views. With good visibility and enough time, add the Guadalupe sanctuary or one of the mountain viewpoints.
On a first one-day visit, prioritise the old town and La Marina rather than trying to cover everything.
10. Hondarribia or Hendaye?
They are not interchangeable. Hondarribia concentrates fortified heritage, old streets and gastronomy; Hendaye adds an Atlantic beach, seafront and a different perspective on Txingudi Bay.
On a long day you can explore Hondarribia and cross by boat for a few hours in Hendaye. For slower travel, give each side its own day.
Where to stay for a Hondarribia day trip from Navarra
El Eco de los Robles is in Sunbilla and allows visitors to combine a nature-based stay in Navarra with day trips to the Basque coast. The whole house sleeps six guests plus two additional places and includes a garden, seasonal swimming pool, barbecue area and private parking.
That leaves other days free for Baztan, Bertiz, Malerreka, Zugarramurdi-Urdax or the Bidasoa Greenway.
Frequently asked questions about Hondarribia
What are the must-see places in Hondarribia?
For a first visit: Santa María Gate, Kale Nagusia, Arma Plaza and Carlos V Castle, Santa María Church, the walls and the Marina district.
Can you visit Hondarribia in one day?
Yes. A day gives enough time for the walled old town, lunch or pintxos in La Marina and a walk beside Txingudi Bay.
What is the difference between the old town and La Marina?
The old town is the fortified upper town with stone streets, noble buildings and walls; La Marina is the former fishing quarter, known for colourful houses and balconies.
Can you cross from Hondarribia to Hendaye by boat?
Yes. Small passenger boats cross Txingudi Bay between the Hondarribia waterfront and Hendaye.
Does Hondarribia have a beach?
Yes. Hondarribia beach is about 800 metres long and offers showers, changing facilities, lifeguards, parking and accessible services.
Is Jaizkibel worth visiting?
Yes if you have extra time and good visibility. The mountain offers coastal scenery and viewpoints over the Bidasoa area and the Bay of Biscay.
Where should you stay to combine Hondarribia with Navarra?
Sunbilla gives you a rural base in Navarra while allowing a dedicated day trip to Hondarribia and the coast.
Sources consulted
Official Basque Country tourism and Hondarribia-Irun tourism information for the medieval old town, Santa María Gate, Arma Plaza, Carlos V Castle, La Marina, Paseo Butrón and beaches.
Information reviewed in September 2026. Boat services and beach facilities can vary by season.
Image credits
Cover image: Zarateman / Wikimedia Commons, Arma Plaza and Carlos V Castle, CC0 1.0.
Interior image 1: Zarateman / Wikimedia Commons, La Marina district, CC0 1.0.
Interior image 2: Larraitz / Wikimedia Commons, San Pedro kalea, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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