Route 5

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN BAYONNE (BAIONA)

The capital of flavor and history in the French Basque Country. Following your transfer from Biarritz Airport, the day centers around the heart of the city.

Main Activities

• Guided tour of the historic center: A route encompassing Saint-Mary’s Cathedral, the Old Castle (Château-Vieux), and the City Hall.

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

• Sweet culture: Visit to the Chocolate Museum to discover the city’s artisanal heritage.

• Free time: Shopping and dinner at the Les Halles market.

Recommended Accommodation

• Camping Eden Villages Bela Basque

DAY 2: BAYONNE – BIARRITZ – SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ

The Basque coast: tradition and sophistication. A journey through the region’s most iconic maritime landscapes.

Morning in Biarritz

• Stroll through history: Walk along the old fishermen’s quarters and traditional squares (Port Vieux, Rue Mazagran).

• Free time: Explore the Les Halles market and the downtown shopping districts.

Afternoon in Saint-Jean-de-Luz

• Royal heritage: Visit to the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, the setting of King Louis XIV’s royal wedding.

• Gastronomic tour: Tasting of marinated olives, preserves made with piment d’Espelette, Ossau-Iraty cheese, piperade, and artisanal cured meats.

• Wine and cider culture: Introduction to Irouléguy wines and sagardoa (Basque cider).

Recommended Accommodations

• La Réserve (Saint-Jean-de-Luz – Accessible).

• Camping Eskualduna or Hôtel Ibaia (Hendaye – Accessible).

• Les Frères Ibarboure (Bidart – Accessible).

DAY 3: SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ – LARRUN – BERA – DONAMARIA – ELGORRIAGA

A cross-border sensory experience. The transition from the coast to the valleys of Navarre.

Highlights of the Day

• Petit Train de La Rhune (Optional): A 1924 rack railway train that ascends to 905 meters, offering panoramic views of the Pyrenees and the coastline.

• Border crossing: Technical stop at Ventas Peio (Bera de Bidasoa) for a tasting of foie gras and cheeses.

• Lunch: Restaurante Donamariako Benta (Accessible), featuring contemporary Navarrese cuisine in a rural setting.

• Santesteban: Heritage walk and tasting of urrakin egina or txantxigorri (traditional local sweets).

• Lekunberri: Relax at Elgorriaga Spa, the thermal resort with the highest salinity in Europe.

Recommended Accommodations

• Camping Izarpe or Aralar (Lekunberri – Accessible).

• Hotel Luze el Toro or Mirador de la Ultzama (Accessible).

DAY 4: LEKUNBERRI – URBASA NATURAL PARK

Cheese and oil culture. Immersion in the artisanal production of Tierra Estella.

Idiazabal Cheese Route

• Arranged visits: Guided tours organized through the Gaztak association.

• Technical stops: Quesería Antsonea (Artaza) and Quesería Gaztak (Lezaun) cheese dairies.

Oil Culture in Allo

• Biosasun: Discovery of centuries-old olive trees and organic agriculture production featuring high polyphenol levels.

Recommended Accommodation

• Camping Iratxe (Ayegui), Acedo (Mendaza), or Artaza Urederra (Accessible).

DAY 5: URBASA – ESTELLA-LIZARRA

Medieval heritage and rural development.

Culture and Tradition

• Pacharán Zoco (Dicastillo): Visit to the distillery to learn about the production process, from sloe berry cultivation to the final tasting.

• Estella-Lizarra: Visit to the Church of San Pedro de la Rúa (Romanesque cloister) and the Palace of the Kings of Navarre (12th-century civil architecture).

• Local Gastronomic Highlight: Dinner in the old town to try piquillo peppers and pochas (white beans) with chistorra sausage.

Recommended Accommodations

• Camping Lizarra or Aritzaleku (Accessible).

• Hostal Rural Casa Nahia (Lorca) or Agroturismo Mari Cruz (Villanueva de Arce).

DAY 6: ESTELLA – SAN ADRIÁN – OLITE

Canning traditions and royal towns.

Morning: The Harvest Industry

• San Adrián: Visit to the Canning Museum (Museo de la Conserva – La Fábrica Vieja) to understand the evolution of Navarre’s agri-food industry.

• Mendigorría: Ruins of the Roman city of Andelos and the Archaeological Museum.

Afternoon: Wines and Fortresses

• San Martín de Unx: Specializing in rosé wines (Bodega Máximo Abete).

• Ujué: Visit to the fortified church and tasting of Andiaga honey.

• Olite: Tour of the Royal Palace. Visit to iconic local wineries (Ochoa, Reyna de Copas, or Cosecheros Reunidos).

DAY 8: TUDELA – PUENTE LA REINA – PAMPLONA

The return to the French Way (Camino Francés).

Highlights of the Return

• Puente la Reina: Stroll through the town where the main Jacobean pilgrimage routes converge, and a visit to the Church of Santa María de Eunate.

• Pamplona: Final immersion into the old town.

Gastronomic Selection in Pamplona

• Pintxos and Tradition: Bar El Bosquecillo, Mesón de la Tortilla (Accessible), Bar La Granja (Accessible), Bar Fitero, Bar Gaucho (Accessible), Café Iruña.

• Signature Cuisine: Restaurante Alhambra, Baserriberri (Accessible), Restaurante Rodero, Restaurante Enekorri, Restaurante Tubal (in Tafalla).

Recommended Accommodations

• Hotel La Perla, Tres Reyes, or Maisonnave (Accessible).

• Hostal Casa Otano or Hotel Pamplona Catedral (Accessible).

DAY 9: PAMPLONA

End of the trip. Transfer to Pamplona Airport (20 min).

MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF THE ROUTE

Architectural Heritage

• Cathedrals: Bayonne (UNESCO), Tudela, and Pamplona.

• Fortresses: Royal Palace of Olite, Walls of Bayonne, and Citadel of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

• Romanesque: Cloister of Estella-Lizarra and Church of Eunate.

Natural Heritage

• Coastline: Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

• Mountains: Urbasa-Andía Natural Park and Mount Larrun.

• Desert: Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve.

EVENTS CALENDAR 2025

French Basque Country

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

• Bayonne: Fêtes de Bayonne (Late July).

Navarre

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

• Tudela: Vegetable Week (Semana de la Verdura): April 26th to May 4th.

• Estella-Lizarra: Fiestas de la Virgen del Puy (May 23rd to 25th).

• Olite: Classical Theatre Festival (July 18th to August 3rd).

• San Martín de Unx: Rosé Wine Festival (First Sunday of June).

REGIONAL SYNERGIES

• Baztan Way (Camino Baztanés): Connection between Bayonne and Pamplona, linking up with the French Way (Camino Francés).

• Route of the Three Walled Cities: Joint cultural promotion project between Bayonne, Hondarribia, and Pamplona.

• Witch Hunt Route: Itinerary through museums and caves linked to the cross-border history of the Inquisition.