Route 3

Valleys and Cities with Soul

  • DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN PAMPLONA

    Welcome to the historic capital of Navarre. Start of the gourmet experience in a vibrant city that combines medieval history with one of the best pintxo cultures in the world.

    Highlighted Activities

    • Guided Tour: Walk through the old town and its walls (Accessible).

    • Culture: Visit to the Pamplona Cathedral Museum (Accessible).

    • Gastronomy: Pintxos and wine route along the iconic Estafeta and San Nicolás streets.

    Dining Guide in Pamplona (Old Town and Surroundings)

    Establishment Specialty / Type Accessibility
    Bar Gaucho Haute cuisine in miniature Accessible
    Restaurante Alhambra Signature Navarrese cuisine –
    Baserriberri Creative gastronomy Accessible
    Café Iruña Historic and iconic –
    La Mandarra de La Ramos Tradition and local produce Accessible
    Txirrintxa Craft brewery and grill Accessible
    Rodero Gastronomic vanguard –
    Molino de Urdániz Haute cuisine (2 Michelin Stars) Near Pamplona

    EAT

    Recommended Accommodations

    • Historic Center: Hotel La Perla, Hotel Tres Reyes, Hotel Maisonnave, Hotel Pamplona Catedral.

    • Surroundings and Suburbs: Castillo de Gorraiz Hotel & Spa, Hotel Luze el Toro, Basoa Suites (treehouse cabins).

SLEEP

  • DAY 2: PAMPLONA – SAN MIGUEL DE ARALAR – LEKUNBERRI

    Between the spirituality of the mountains and the flavor of Idiazabal.

    Route Highlights

    • Bikain Cheeses (Quesos Bikain): Tasting of Idiazabal cheese made with Latxa sheep’s milk in the Larraun Valley.

    • Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar: Visit to the Romanesque temple and enjoyment of the panoramic mountain views.

    • Mendukilo Caves: Guided underground tour through the heart of the Aralar mountain range.

    • Finca Mascarada (Lekunberri): Visit to the farm of free-range native pigs and a technical lunch centered around their cured meats.

 

VISIT

Here is the translation for Day 3, maintaining the exact same structure and natural, polished English:

DAY 3: LEKUNBERRI – SANTESTEBAN – DONAMARIA – SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ

Thermalism, heritage, and crossing the border.

Route Highlights

  • Elgorriaga Spa: Thermal circuit in high-salinity waters to start the day.

  • Santesteban and Lesaka: Heritage walk and tasting of typical sweets (urrakin egina). In Lesaka, enjoy a chistorra pintxo and cider.

  • Donamariako Benta: Lunch featuring contemporary Navarrese cuisine in a privileged rural setting.

  • Petit Train de La Rhune: Ascent on a rack railway train (dating from 1924) up to 905 meters to look out over the Bay of Biscay.

  • Saint-Jean-de-Luz: Route through the Les Halles market and a guided tasting of Ossau-Iraty cheese, Bayonne ham, and Irouléguy wines.

Here is the translation for Day 4, maintaining the exact same structure and natural, polished English:

DAY 4: SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ – AINHOA – ESPELETTE – BIARRITZ

Postcard-perfect villages and Basque essences.

Route Highlights

  • Ainhoa: Visit to the Maison du Patrimoine to learn about local history through its panoramic cinema.

  • Espelette: Visit to the covered market (Wednesdays) and a gourmet lunch at Restaurante Euzkadi, specializing in cuisine featuring the iconic local red pepper.

  • Biarritz: Relaxing afternoon exploring Port Vieux, the Les Halles market, and the luxury shopping areas.

DAY 5: BIARRITZ – BAYONNE

The capital of chocolate and ham.

Route Highlights

  • Historic Center: Visit to Saint-Mary’s Cathedral (UNESCO), the Old Castle (Château-Vieux), and the Vauban walls.

  • Central Market: Technical tasting of Bayonne ham, Basque cake, and regional cheeses.

DAY 6: BAYONNE – SALIES-DE-BÉARN – OLORON-SAINTE-MARIE

Béarnese elegance and the culture of salt.

Route Highlights

  • Salies-de-Béarn: Visit to the Salt Museum and its natural production facility. Tasting of paté béarnais and Jurançon wine.

  • Oloron-Sainte-Marie: Visit to the Cathedral and a tasting of traditional sweets (macarons béarnais and gâteaux basques).

DAY 7: OLORON-SAINTE-MARIE – PAU

Royal histories and Jurançon vineyards.

Route Highlights

  • Soupçons en Jurançon: A fun clue-hunting experience in the vineyards, including interaction with winemakers and private tastings.

  • Pau: Walk along the Boulevard des Pyrénées and a visit to the National Museum of the Castle of Pau (birthplace of Henry IV).

DAY 8: DEPARTURE FROM PAU

Transfer to Pau Airport (22 min) for your return flight.

Here is the translation for the final summary section, keeping the exact table layout, button code, and natural, polished English:

MAIN CULTURAL AND NATURAL ATTRACTIONS

Zone Main Attractions
Inland Navarre Pamplona Walls, Urdax Caves, Aralar Sanctuary.
Baztan / Bidasoa Monastery of San Salvador, Lesaka Homesteads (caseríos), Zugarramurdi Caves.
French Basque Coast Port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Rocher de la Vierge in Biarritz, Bayonne Cathedral.
Béarn / Pyrenees Thermal town of Salies-de-Béarn, Oloron Cathedral, Castle of Pau.

VISIT

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND FESTIVALS 2025

Navarre

  • Sanfermines (Pamplona): July 6th to 14th.

  • Croquette Week (Semana de la Croqueta): May 23rd to June 1st.

  • Baztandarren Biltzarra (Elizondo): April (Friday following Easter).

  • Flamenco On Fire: August 22nd to 31st.

French Basque Country and Béarn

  • Fêtes de la Saint-Jean (St-Jean-de-Luz): June 19th to 23rd.

  • Fêtes de Bayonne: Late July.

  • Espelette Pepper Festival (Fête du Piment): October 25th and 26th.

  • Foire de Pau (Pau Fair): September.

TERRITORIAL SYNERGIES AND CONNECTIONS

  • Baztan Way (Camino Baztanés): Jacobean route connecting Bayonne with Pamplona, serving as a link to the French Way (Camino Francés).

  • Walled Cities Network: Cultural alliance between Bayonne, Hondarribia, and Pamplona.

  • Witchcraft Route: Itinerary through the historical enclaves of the Inquisition in Navarre and France (Zugarramurdi-Urdax-Sare).

  • Atlantic Pyrenees: Network of trails and mountain experiences connecting Navarre with the Béarnese valleys.

Lizaso
Río Onin
4. Circuit 1 jour 7 Salies de Béarn_maisons salisiennes 002 ©ADT64
Donamaria