Private Basque Country Tour Hidden Villages and Culinary Delights
5600488P4
5600488P4
5600488P4
5600488P4
5600488P4
5600488P4
5600488P4
5600488P4
5600488P4
5600488P4
5600488P4
5600488P4
Overview
Discover hidden gems in Basque villages, including traditional architecture and off-the-beaten-path trails
Enjoy a scenic drive through the picturesque Basque countryside
Benefit from insider knowledge with a private local guide for a tailor-made experience
Taste local delicacies, including wine, cheese, and charcuterie from regional producers
A personal call or WhatsApp chat after booking
Customize your tour to match your wishes
Pick up and drop off of your choice and transport in a premium van
Tour at a glance
What's included
- Private transportation
- On-board WiFi
- Bottled water
- Booster seat
- Government fees
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Airport and departure taxes
- Parking fees
Not included
- Meals
- Gratuities
Itinerary
-
1
Biarritz
Rocher de la Vierge: famous for its panoramic views of the ocean and bay. Accessible via the Eiffel footbridge Grande Plage & Côte des Basques: Discover the legendary beaches of Biarritz with secret spots and anecdotes about the history of the city Les Halles de Biarritz: Visit this magnificent covered market and taste delicious regional products—Bayonne ham, cheeses, pintxos, seafood, oysters, Basque cake... Biarritz Lighthouse: historic lighthouse with a panoramic view of the city, the coast, and the mountains stretching to the Spanish Basque Country Port des Pêcheurs: discover this small, typical port district with its fish restaurants and authentic atmosphere.
1h Admission free -
2
Bidart
Six magnificent beaches stretch for 5 km, from the family-friendly Uhabia to the renowned surfing spot of Parlementia, not to mention wild coves such as Erretegia. Sainte-Madeleine Chapel: A historic monument, it was built in the 12th century. Perched on a cliff, it offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. It pays tribute to fishermen who have lost their lives at sea. The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (16th century) in the center of the village. It is surrounded by the parish cemetery, where you can still see a few disc-shaped stones used to decorate old Basque tombs. Bassilour Mill: An old 18th-century mill converted into a pastry shop where you can taste their delicious traditional Basque cake prepared on site. Main square: This is the heart of Bidart, with its lively cafés, historic fronton court, and Basque pelota players (a racket sport that is the ancestor of tennis).
1h Admission free -
3
Guethary
Picturesque port: Charming little port with boats in dry dock—a real picture-postcard setting Saraleguinea Museum (optional): Contemporary art in a listed villa, with superb gardens and temporary exhibitions (sculptures and ceramics) Wild beaches & cliffs: Discover small beaches and hidden paths, with views of natural pools at low tide. Panoramic view: From the Pierre-Lious Terrace, breathtaking views of the ocean and surfers at the local spot of Parlementia.
1h Admission free -
4
Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church: a majestic monument, it was here that the marriage of King Louis XIV to the Infanta Maria Theresa of Spain was celebrated on June 9, 1660. The church is listed as a historic monument. Visit the historic center with its narrow streets and traditional Basque houses. Promenade Jacques Thibaud: an ideal pedestrian walkway for strolling and admiring the bay of Saint Jean de Luz.
1h Admission free -
5
Sare
Lunch in a typical Basque restaurant with mountain views. Visit the village, listed as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France,” where you can feel the heritage of this town marked by smuggling along its border with Spain. Smugglers crossed from one side of the border to the other to transport alcohol, tobacco, and even animals... Legend has it that they crossed the mountain passes wearing espadrilles on their feet so as to be silent and not be spotted by customs officers.
1h Admission free -
6
Ainhoa
Visit a family farm and taste traditional Basque cheese and ham. Meet the producers and take the time to chat with these authentic artisans, who will be delighted to share their ancestral know-how.
1h Admission free -
7
Espelette
World-renowned for its PDO chili peppers, Espelette is a charming, picturesque village. The chili peppers drying in the windows, its cobbled streets, and its century-old shops bear witness to its rich heritage. Avoid the tourist trap shops and follow me to discover the real Espelette, off the beaten track.
1h Admission free
Meeting & pickup
Hotel pickup is included for all travellers.
Explore the hidden gems of the Basque Country with itineraries adapted to your interests and pace, starting and ending where you choose around Biarritz, Bayonne, Saint Jean de Luz, Hendaye, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Pampelune, Hossegor, Seignosse, Capbreton, Bordeaux...
Schedule
Good to know
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Traveller reviews
An absolutely genuine and authentic experience that gave us a true appreciation of Basque Country, the people, the culture and the food. Ettiene was just the most pleasant person to spend the day with and he always went out of his way to take care of us. We spent 5 days in Biarritz and surrounding countryside and it was a once in a lifetime adventure.
Our group of four couples had a most enjoyable trip to the Basque region of Spain and southern France, guided by Etienne Lecuivre of The Basque Way. Our excellent experience with him started with our planning our itinerary together. Of all the guiding firms we contacted, Etienne clearly had the best knowledge of the region and command of the English language, which proved to be most helpful the entire trip. Not only did he command English, but he also spoke French, Basque, Spanish, and probably other languages. We asked him to design an itinerary where we could focus on the people, culture, art, history, and food/wine of the region. For our week with Etienne, we spent three nights in Bilbao and four nights in San Sebastian. From there we took walking tours of the cities and excursions to the surrounding cities/villages of the Basque region. Etienne performed in every respect. He provided a comfortable Mercedes van that accommodated us 8 with luggage, he drove us the entire week and guided us in many locations personally. Since he knew of our particular interest in history and culture, he also subcontracted guides in several locations. Cameron guided us in Gernika and Getaria and provided excellent walking tour of the history and culture of the region. In Hondarribia, Marta was excellent. Charles guided us in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Bayonne and couldn’t have been more informative, positive, and educational. One day we spent in the countryside of the region and Etienne’s colleague, Arnaud, guided us there. He has particular insight in the region, is a native of the area, and introduced us to things that most tours would not have covered. He was also excellent and even challenged us to a game of Pala on an outside court in one of the villages. One of the highlights of the week was a preparing our own meal with a local chef Jerôme in Bayonne at L’Appartenance. All in all, we can recommend Etienne and The Basque Way without reservation.
Our family of four wanted to experience the real Basque Country, and Etienne delivered. He took us off the beaten path to places we never would have found on our own, sharing local stories and insights that made every stop memorable. It felt less like a tour and more like spending the day with a knowledgeable local friend. Lunch was another highlight—an authentic Basque restaurant with delicious local food and zero tourist-trap vibes. Etienne strikes the perfect balance of culture, humor, and flexibility, keeping both adults and kids engaged. We left with great memories and a genuine appreciation for the Basque Country. Just be warned: he may ruin every other guided tour for you!
Etienne came with a nice, comfortable car and shared so much history and interesting anecdotes along the way. So glad we found him and enjoyed his unique insight into Basque Country. The restaurant he brought us to was one of the highlights of our trip - delicious and such fresh seafood!
Etienne, the founder of The Basque Way, worked closely with us to create a tour that suited our needs - and an opportinity to experience some of the best of the Basque Country. He gently guided us towards the best spots, experiences and restuarants. Everything was expertly set up and booked well in advance. He also assisted with recommendations for hotels. None dissapointed. On the tour itself, additional experiences were added that addressed our interests. This included a wonderful tour of a private txakoli vineyard and tasting. Etienne picked us up in his spacious luxury Mercedes van at Bilbao airport and guided us around old and new Bilbao. The short drive between Bilbao and San Sebastian was a delight - especially the lunch stop in Getaria. In San Sebastian we were handed over to another of his local expert guides - Fermin. Fermin was an excellant guide showing us all his personal best beach and country spots. It made the experience more real. On the way to Biarritz we had a day with local guide Mikel in Hondarribia. Mikel grew up in Hondarribia and it showed. A visit to his own Gastonomic Society was a highlight. Fermin picked up on the journey, guiding us through the highlights of the Biarritz coast and countryside including the best food of the whole trip at Iparla in Bidarray. Etienne completed the journey by depositing us at our hotel in Bordeaux. Altogther a fantastic experience with delightful and knowledgeable people who doubled as guides and drivers. All the hassle of travel were removed enabling us to relax and enjoy all that was on offer served up on a plate.
Not so often you come across such an experience that is so special that you hesitate to share it with everyone else, however we will let you all in. Etienne had arranged a 3 day excursion along the Basque coastline starting in Biarritz and ending in San Sebastián. He brought us along the way to the most charming and delightful small villages that we would have never known existed. He brought an amazing amount of history and knowledge along with culinary experiences that far exceeded any expectations. He was a pleasure to work with planning our trip and always was responsive with communication. From castles to beaches we feel we had a truly once in a lifetime journey and are thankful for all the passion and planning he demonstrated. We absolutely recommend Etienne for your trip!
Etienne and Hugo picked up my family of 12 members in a van and a sedan. We were picked up at our hotel in Lourdes exactly at 10:00 am. We drove for 3 hours to San Sebastián through small picturesque towns. The ride was safe, comfortable and enjoyable with both Etienne and Hugo giving us a brief but informative and interesting history of France’s and Spain’s Baque region. We arrived in time for lunch at a modern restaurant with the most beautiful view of the beach! We had the best Paella which was pre-ordered by Etienne. We had 4 kinds of starters, 2-kinds of Paella and 3 kinds of desserts! It was a gastronomy! Then we walked to La Concha, the cathedral and after about an hour had the best Basque Cheese Cake! We walked around the old town a little bit more while Etienne and Hugo walked back to get the vehicles so we can continue exploring the old town on our own. They picked us up at the old town and rode back to Lourdes. My family and I had the best time! Great ride, good food, stunning views and most specially, the best company! Etienne and Hugo are now part of our family! Thank you Etienne and Hugo for a remarkable day in San Sebastián! You are the best!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had an excellent experience exploring the Basque Country with Etienne and Hugo. Both were knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely passionate about the region. What made the experience special was not only the beautiful landscapes, villages, and culture we discovered, but also the way everything was explained with enthusiasm, local insight, and attention to detail. The tour was very well organized, the pace was comfortable, and throughout the day I felt more like a guest than a customer. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, your stories, and your love for the Basque Country. You helped turn a great trip into a memorable experience. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to discover the region beyond the typical tourist attractions. Un grand merci ! Eskerrik asko! Thank you very much!
Reviews are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor from verified travellers.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this experience last?
It lasts 7h.
Is hotel pickup included?
Hotel pickup is included for all travellers.
Can I cancel for free?
Yes. Cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.
Which languages is the guide available in?
Guide languages: EN, FR, ES
On which days does it run?
It runs Every day. Starts 00:00, 08:00, 08:30, 09:00 +8
How fast is the booking confirmed?
Instantly. Your e-ticket arrives by e-mail right after booking.
Is this a private tour?
Yes, this is a private experience for your group only.
Where do I complete the booking?
On viator.com, a Tripadvisor company, with live availability and secure payment. TourViaGo is a Global Partner of Viator.
Product code 5600488P4
More in Biarritz
5.0 (49)
Private tour
361841P1
5.0 (15)
5598427P2
5.0 (13)
Private tour
260378P3
5.0 (10)
Private tour
447742P1