Sitting atop a hill overlooking the bay, Hondarribia’s walled old quarter makes it unique in Gipuzkoa, being the only city which still retains its renaissance fortifications. The area has been declared a Monumento Histórico Artístico (Historic Artistic Monument). Once inside the walls, it’s not hard to see why – the surprising grid system of cobbled streets is lined with beautiful buildings with cast-iron balconies and wide carved eaves. Another part well-worth visiting is the Barrio de la Marina (the ‘Fisherman’s’ Quarter). It’s a fascinating area, whether for admiring the traditional fisherman’s houses or for sampling the Basque region’s pintxos.

The Santuario de Guadalupe (the Virgin of Guadeloupe Shrine) is another interesting place to visit. According to legend, the image of the Virgin of Guadeloupe was discovered by two shepherd boys. The exact date of her discovery remains unknown, but she was already widely venerated in the sixteenth century. The shrine affords incomparable views of the Bahia de Txingudi (Bay of Txingudi). Following the northern side of Monte Jaizkibel (Mount Jaizkibel) from Guadelupe brings you to the town of Donibane, the route encompassing some unrivalled views of the impressive cliffs which, falling into the Cantabrian Sea, form the spectacular Gipuzkoan coast.

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