Hondarribia (Spanish: Fuenterrabía) is a fishing town in the province of Guipuzcoa, Basque Country of Spain on the Bay of Txingudi, by the border with France. It is the last remaining walled town in Guipuzcoa.
Hondarribia has been settled since the time of the Romans, and became a full-fledged village in the 13th century. As a town historically on the border, whether between Navarre and Castille, or between Spain and France, Hondarribia has enjoyed a tumultuous past. After citizens sought protection under the Castilian crown in 1203, Hondarribia became a point of conflict between Castille and the kingdom of Navarre, supported by France. The town was repeatedly besieged by French and Navarran forces throughout the 1300s up until the Thirty Years' War in the mid 1600s, when Spain and France reconciled their borders under the Treaty of the Pyrenees. After the signing of this treaty (which fixed the French border to its current state), Hondarribia remained a border town, across the Bay from France.
There are two sections of town that are of special interest to the traveler:
- The old city — With its medieval walls still intact, the historic part of town is home to the castle of Charles V, Zuloaga Palace, Casadevante Palace, the gothic church of Nuestra Señora del Manzano, and Calle Pampinot, among other sights.
- La Marina — full of multicolored houses and their resident fishermen, along San Pedro and Santiago Streets.
Hondarribia's beach, ports, lighthouse, the beach of Ondarraitz (on the other side of the bay), and the neighboring hillsides are just as attractive, and make it clear why Hondarribia has enjoyed its position as a vacation destination for more than 100 years.
The old city — With its medieval walls still intact, the historic part of town is home to the castle of Charles V, Zuloaga Palace, Casadevante Palace, the gothic church of Nuestra Señora del Manzano, and Calle Pampinot, among other sights.
La Marina — full of multicolored houses and their resident fishermen, along San Pedro and Santiago Streets.
- Military Tattoos. Early September (7 to 11, but in 2007 it could be seen at Sep 3). A civilian-military city parade commemorating the victory over the largest siege by French troops led by the Prince of Condé on Sept 8, 1638. The victory is attributed to support of Guadalupe Virgin, patron saint of Hondarribia. A spectacular show involving most of the local population from morning time to about 11PM. 20 groups walk around the streets wearing traditional red berets, and plays fifes and drums--the same melody again and again. Young girls in traditional costumes head each group. One of the group is made of woodmen wearing sheep skin caps. The rest of the population are applauding to all of them in support. Obviously, it's virtually impossible to drive into the town during the event, and all pintxos bars are heavily overcrowded till the very closing time.
Military Tattoos. Early September (7 to 11, but in 2007 it could be seen at Sep 3). A civilian-military city parade commemorating the victory over the largest siege by French troops led by the Prince of Condé on Sept 8, 1638. The victory is attributed to support of Guadalupe Virgin, patron saint of Hondarribia. A spectacular show involving most of the local population from morning time to about 11PM. 20 groups walk around the streets wearing traditional red berets, and plays fifes and drums--the same melody again and again. Young girls in traditional costumes head each group. One of the group is made of woodmen wearing sheep skin caps. The rest of the population are applauding to all of them in support. Obviously, it's virtually impossible to drive into the town during the event, and all pintxos bars are heavily overcrowded till the very closing time.
Hondarribia is on par with San Sebastian and Bilbao as a gourmet destination of the Basque country.
- Yola Berri, Calle Zuloaga / San Pedro Kalea 22 (across the street from Jáuregui Hotel, +34 943 642-780, +34 943 645 611. Open and offering pintxos from 11AM. One of the most cited places for pintxos in the town.
- Gran Sol, Calle San Pedro, 65, +34 943 64 27 01. Kitchen closes before 23:00. Second most cited places for pintxos. Won many gastronomic awards for creativity in pintxos. Has both a bar full of tapas and a more formal restaurant for having a dinner. Pintxos €1.40-2.40, main courses €5.10-10.35.
- Enbata, San Pedro 22 (at the Jáuregui Hotel. Kitchen close after 11:30PM.
- Txantxangorri. In 2007 participates in Lo Mejor de la Gastronomia annual competition of pintxos bars.
- Itxaspe. In 2007 participates in Lo Mejor de la Gastronomia annual competition of pintxos bars.
Yola Berri, Calle Zuloaga / San Pedro Kalea 22 (across the street from Jáuregui Hotel, +34 943 642-780, +34 943 645 611. Open and offering pintxos from 11AM. One of the most cited places for pintxos in the town.
Gran Sol, Calle San Pedro, 65, +34 943 64 27 01. Kitchen closes before 23:00. Second most cited places for pintxos. Won many gastronomic awards for creativity in pintxos. Has both a bar full of tapas and a more formal restaurant for having a dinner. Pintxos €1.40-2.40, main courses €5.10-10.35.
Enbata, San Pedro 22 (at the Jáuregui Hotel. Kitchen close after 11:30PM.
Txantxangorri. In 2007 participates in Lo Mejor de la Gastronomia annual competition of pintxos bars.
Itxaspe. In 2007 participates in Lo Mejor de la Gastronomia annual competition of pintxos bars.
- Horixe, c/Santiago 45, +34 943 640-455. Pizza and other quite touristic dishes. One of the few places you can eat during the mass city events like the city parade. Nothing special in the rest of the year. Main course: about €8-11.
Horixe, c/Santiago 45, +34 943 640-455. Pizza and other quite touristic dishes. One of the few places you can eat during the mass city events like the city parade. Nothing special in the rest of the year. Main course: about €8-11.
- Sebastian, Calle Mayor (downstairs). Closed Sun and Tue, in November. Has a fireplace.
- Restaurant Suggari, +34 943 643 123. Fine dining restaurant, specialising in local produce with an alfresco eating area.
Sebastian, Calle Mayor (downstairs). Closed Sun and Tue, in November. Has a fireplace.
Restaurant Suggari, +34 943 643 123. Fine dining restaurant, specialising in local produce with an alfresco eating area.
- Alameda. Closed Sun and Mon, and beginning of Oct and Jan. Michelin star restaurant.
- Arroka Berri. Closed Sunday nights, Tuesdays and the whole of February.
Alameda. Closed Sun and Mon, and beginning of Oct and Jan. Michelin star restaurant.
Arroka Berri. Closed Sunday nights, Tuesdays and the whole of February.