Hondarribia, a medieval jewel by the sea

Hondarribia is one of the Basque Country’s best preserved medieval destinations. So, setting foot in its medieval quarter is all it takes to experience the charm of Hondarribia's historic past. Its old town, surrounded by walls, offers the visitor a stroll through cobbled streets, squares steeped in centuries of history and buildings of great heritage value.

Among its main points of interest is the Puerta de Santa María (Saint Mary’s Gate) , which, with its heraldic coat of arms and Gothic style, marks the entrance to an enclosure where defensive architecture, stately homes with wooden eaves and wrought-iron balconies and little historical corners tell the story of the town’s history over the years.

The same is true of Calle Mayor, the Plaza de Armas and the Charles V Castle – now a Parador hotel – which towers over the city and serves as a reminder of its historical importance on the border with France. Walking along the moat and the 17th-century ramparts gives you a sense of what life was like in the town and how its defences were organised.

Without a doubt, this visit is a must for anyone interested in cultural tourism, medieval history and architecture in a unique seaside setting.