Basque Country campervan road trip: a 3-day itinerary from Biarritz
By the Mendi Camper teamPublished 5 min read
Three days are enough to enjoy both faces of the Basque Country: the ocean and white villages with red shutters, then the green hills inland. This loop of about 200 km starts and ends in Biarritz, comfortably within the 150 km per day included with our vans.
Day 1: the coast, from Biarritz to the Basque Corniche
Pick up your van in the morning and follow the coast south. Stop in Bidart and Guéthary, a former whaling port that is now a renowned surf spot, for a coffee facing the waves.
In the afternoon, wander around Saint-Jean-de-Luz: the harbour, the old shipowners' houses and the sheltered beach in its bay. At the end of the day, drive the Corniche road between Ciboure and Hendaye: flysch cliffs plunge into the ocean, one of the finest sunsets on the coast.
Day 2: La Rhune, Sare, Ainhoa and Espelette
Head inland. At the Col de Saint-Ignace, the little rack railway climbs to the top of La Rhune (in season, check the timetable): a 360° view over the ocean and the Pyrenees. Hikers can also walk up.
Have lunch in Sare, then drive to Ainhoa, listed among the most beautiful villages in France, with its single street of traditional Basque houses. Finish in Espelette, home of the famous AOP chilli pepper: in autumn, strings of peppers dry on the façades.
Day 3: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and the Irouléguy vineyards
Drive through Itxassou and the Pas de Roland, then on to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (about an hour from Biarritz), a fortified town and starting point of the Camino de Santiago into Spain. Walk up to the citadel for the view over the valley.
On the way back, stop at an Irouléguy winery, the Basque Country's small mountain vineyard, then at Cambo-les-Bains and the gardens of Villa Arnaga before returning the van.
Our practical tips
In summer, visit the villages early in the morning and keep the coast for the evening: seaside car parks fill up quickly. Inland roads are narrow but perfectly manageable with our vans.
For the night, choose motorhome areas and campsites: our guide “Where to sleep in a campervan in the Basque Country” explains the rules. And when you pick up the van, ask for our current favourite spots: we are happy to share them.
