Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
lower town, straight shopping streets serve a local clientele, and a pleasant walkway takes
strollers along the beach.
Tourist Information:
There are two TIs. One is located on the main square, Plaza
de Armas, across from the parador; the other is at Minatera 9, near the port (both July-
Septdaily10:30-13:30&15:30-20:00;Oct-JuneTue-Sat10:00-13:30&15:30-18:30,Sun
10:00-14:00, closed Mon; tel. 943-645-458,
www.bidasoaturismo.com
).
Arrival in Hondarribia:
For some beach time, drivers can use the metered parking
by the port (marked with blue lines, prepay for parking at machine). If you're here during
the week off-season, the giant lot on the beach is free. Drivers who only want to explore
the Old Town should follow signs to
Casco Viejo
and park at the free, tree-lined lot imme-
diately across from the gate in the city wall; look for its giant coat-of-arms (Alameda de
Daniel Vázquez Díaz). Buses into town stop near the main square.
Sleeping in Hondarribia:
Accommodations are pricey here, but it's a nice small-
town alternative to San Sebastián.
$$$ Parador El Emperador,
with 34 rooms housed
in a former imperial fortress, is the town's splurge. Tourists are allowed to have sangria
in the
muy
cool bar, though the terraces are for guests only (Sb-€188, Db-€248, Db with
view-€270, includes breakfast, elevator, free Wi-Fi, Plaza de Armas 14, tel. 943-645-500,
www.parador.es
,
hondarribia@parador.es
).
$$ Hotel San Nikolas,
facing the parador
from across the square, offers a more affordable alternative, with 17 nicely appointed
rooms (many with views) above a local café (Sb-€41-61, Db-€66-83, Db with sea view-
€83-99, higher price is for mid-July-mid-Sept, can be even cheaper Mon-Thu off-season,
elevator, free Wi-Fi, Plaza de Armas 6, tel. 943-644-278,
www.hotelsannikolas.es
,
Hondarribia Connections:
From Hondarribia, buses go to
San Sebastián
's Plaza de
Gipuzkoa (about 3/hour, 35 minutes on express buses #E23 or #E21, departs near main
square—#E21 also stops at airport; or twice as long on local public buses #E26 and night
bus #E77) and to
Irún
near the French border (2/hour, 20 minutes, buses #E25 and night
bus #E77). A
boat
goes to
Hendaye
(4/hour in summer, 2/hour off-season, 10 minutes,
runs about 11:00-19:00 or until dark).
Route Tips for Drivers:
Leaving San Sebastián passing Zurriola Beach in Gros, first
follow signs to
Irún/Frantzia;
signs for
Hondarribia
appear after about 20 minutes. If
continuing on to St-Jean-de-Luz, signs to
Baiona
lead back to the main highway and the
French border. Have coins ready to chuck into the automatic tollbooth.
