A taste of Spain, brought to you from the shores of Hendaye
This cute beach town in northern France is a stone's throw away from Spain, if you can throw a stone 1,000 feet. It's that close, really. And that's one of many cool things with Hendaye vacation rentals: not only do you get a taste of Spain in France, you'll also enjoy a beautiful blend of history and present day here in Basque Country. Old Basque Town has a healthy dose of medieval sights, while the marina and casinos have modern flair. And of course, this is the Atlantic coast, so shore up your umbrella at 1 of the gorgeous beaches.
A border town where bored is the last thing you'll be
Hendaye's got a beautiful bay where you can admire the ocean and Spanish coast as you stroll down Boulevard de la Mer. While you're there, we bet you'll have some fun at Casino Sokoburu. Or you can sneak away to the stunning Concha Bay in Spain, and find out why it's 1 of Europe's most popular urban beaches. Chateau d'Abbadie is a lavish castle and observatory, and maybe you'll see some sheep grazing atop the jagged cliffs at the adjacent wildlife refuge Domaine d'Abbadia. Or marvel at the Bay of Biscay marine life at Aquarium de Biarritz, just 18 miles north.
Basking on the beach is a must in Basque Country
Hendaye vacation rentals are the perfect way to experience the cross-cultures of Basque Country. The Old Basque Town neighborhood has lots of shops and a weekly street market where you can sample the local treats, like Basque cider, Idiazabal cheese, or some wine-poached cherry soup. Hendaye beach and the adjacent marina are sweet spots to soak up some sun. And if you'd rather be in the water than next to it, discover the sea beds with some snorkeling or diving. Wanna rough it for a night or 2? Do it right in town at 1 of the many campgrounds.
A comfortably warm climate for singin' in the rain
Warm and wet is the name of the weather game with Hendaye vacation rentals. Most rainy days are in winter and spring, but temps stay comfortably even-keel all year. August is the hottest month with highs in the low 70s, while January brings a chill to the ocean air, with temps in the 40s. You'll wanna wear that wetsuit if you swim in the spring, when water temps dip to the 50s. The water and the crowds heat up in the summer, when the town has events highlighting the local Basque goodies, like the Festival of the Sea in July.
See Spain, you may, from the shores of Hendaye
One look at the landscape and you'll fall in love with Basque Country. This is where the Pyrenees Mountains meet the sandy beaches of the Bay of Biscay. If you go any further south, you'll be in northern Spain, just across the Bidasoa River. In fact, Hendaye is the furthest point in southwest France. The wildlife refuge Domaine d'Abbadia is all oceanside cliffs and clear water for miles. Plus, it's an eco-rich area, so keep an eye out for native animals or birds, like royal eagles, brown bears or Pyrenean brook salamanders. And maybe you'll find some morel mushrooms!
Traveling to and around Hendaye
The nearest airport is in San Sebastian (EAS), located 1.4 mi (2.2 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you could also fly into Biarritz (BIQ-Pays Basque), which is 13.9 mi (22.4 km) away.
If you prefer to travel by train, Les Deux Jumeaux Station, Hendaye (XHY-Hendaye Train Station) and Hendaye Station are the main stations in the city.
