Bayonne, Biarritz & St Jean de Luz Private Tour from San Sebastian

Medieval chocolate quarter, a 44-meter lighthouse, and pirate stories along the Basque Coast

A private, guided tour departing from San Sebastian hotels covers Bayonne, Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz over eight to nine hours, with a live guide speaking English or Spanish and all transportation included. You walk the half-timbered streets of Bayonne's historic center and its UNESCO-listed cathedral, stroll the Biarritz seafront to a lighthouse built in 1834, visit the local food market, and explore the 13th-century church and coastal roads of Saint Jean de Luz. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Food and entry tickets are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bayonne, Biarritz, and Saint Jean de Luz

• Arrive in Bayonne city center
• Stroll cobbled streets and visit chocolate stores
• See Saint Mary of Bayonne Cathedral
• Walk along Biarritz beaches and shore
• Visit Biarritz lighthouse
• Explore Les Halles food market
• Drive along La Corniche coastal road
• Stroll Saint Jean de Luz streets
• Visit St. John the Baptist church
• Have lunch in Saint Jean de Luz or Biarritz market

The experience

You start from your San Sebastian hotel and head west into France, arriving in Bayonne to walk its cobbled medieval quarter on foot. The city earned its reputation as the French capital of chocolate, and the guide will point out the chocolate shops and half-timbered buildings that line the streets. The centerpiece is the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Bayonne, a Gothic structure that became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 and a French Historic Monument in 1862. The guide will explain its place in the city's story.

From Bayonne, the route moves to Biarritz and its beaches. You walk along the shore to reach the lighthouse, a 44-meter structure built in 1834 that stands as one of the coast's landmarks. The guide then takes you to Les Halles, the vibrant food market where locals shop for cheese, charcuterie and bread: a place to watch everyday life unfold rather than a staged stop. If you choose to eat, the market offers fresh options, or you can lunch in one of Saint Jean de Luz's restaurants instead.

The drive to Saint Jean de Luz follows La Corniche, a coastal road that cuts along steep cliffs and rock formations rising from the sea. In the town itself, the guide shares stories of the Corsairs and pirates who operated from this harbor, then walks you through the 13th-century Church of St. John the Baptist, known for its distinctive hull-shaped wooden vault. The return journey retraces the coast back to San Sebastian.

What’s included

• All transportation from San Sebastian including petrol, parking and tolls.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a private experienced guide and driver speaking English or Spanish.
• walking access to the medieval quarter of Bayonne and its UNESCO cathedral.
• the Biarritz seafront and lighthouse.
• Les Halles food market in Biarritz.
• the coastal drive along La Corniche.
• the Church of St. John the Baptist in Saint Jean de Luz.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (10 to 17 years) · Infant (under 10)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Ikusnahi Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you follow the commentary in whichever language you book. The private format means the pace stays with your group, and the eight- to nine-hour span fits a full day from San Sebastian without rushing the three towns or the coastal drive between them.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 17 years); Infant (under 10).

What is the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Bayonne, and why does the guide spend time there?

The Cathedral of Saint Mary of Bayonne is a Gothic structure that became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 and a French Historic Monument in 1862. The guide includes it as one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France and a centerpiece of Bayonne's medieval quarter.

Can I eat during the tour, and where would that happen?

Yes. You can stop for lunch in one of the restaurants in Saint Jean de Luz, or eat at Les Halles, the food market in Biarritz, which serves fresh local cheese, charcuterie and baked goods. Food is not included in the tour price.

What is La Corniche, and what will I see there?

La Corniche is one of the most beautiful coastal roads in Basque Country, running between Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz. The drive offers scenic views of steep cliffs and layers of rock emerging from the ocean.

What is the lighthouse in Biarritz, and how do I reach it?

The lighthouse is a 44-meter structure built in 1834 that stands on the Biarritz shore. You walk along the seafront from the beach to reach it, enjoying views of the sea along the way.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off in San Sebastian?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in San Sebastian are included in the tour price. The guide and driver will collect you from your hotel and return you at the end of the day.