Hondarribia and Gastronomic Society
We’ll visit Hondarribia, the town with two faces that looks out over the beaches and cliffs of neighboring France. It is advisable to go with a happy stomach because we will get to know (and enjoy) a gastronomic socieded from the inside. How? Eating, drinking, toasting and celebrating life like the Basque people.
Hondarribia and Gastronomic Society Tour
There are shorter routes to get to Hondarribia from San Sebastián, but we we’ll travel along the most beautiful: the panoramic road of Mount Jaizkibel, the third highest coastal mountain in Spain. We’ll take the opportunity to explain a few things about this route of sailors, pirates and the best modern gastronomy.
Hondarribia, 2-in-1 village
The advantage that Hondarribia has is that it’s a single town that seems like two: one a medieval fortress located on the highest ground (with thick walls, cobblestone streets, slopes, wooden balconies full of flowers, an ex-palace of Emperor Carlos V that hides tapestries based on paintings by Rubens...); the other, a typically Basque fishing village (white houses, colored windows, a large tree-lined esplanade where fish used to be sold, tiny bars with dreamy pintxos...), today a gastronomic hot spot. Because of the former (for being fortified) Hondarribia has witnessed dozens of battles; because of the latter (its fishing port), Hondarribia has witnessed something much better: how its bars and restaurants have become a global point of gastronomic reference, praised even by the New York Times.
Basque “txokos,” Season One
What is a gastronomic society? Very simple: a place with a professional kitchen and spacious dining rooms, where Basque food lovers (who are not professional chefs) have gathered for decades to eat, drink, talk, sing and much more. Any time, any day. Although gastronomic societies are private clubs, Ikusnahi gives you the possibility of participating in this local cultural event so that you eat (if you can), drink (if you can), sing (that's easy) or laugh (that, too) like a Basque.
The real thing
We’ll be welcomed by Fernando, a Basque version of Obélix who, it is believed, fell into a pot of marmitako as a child and gained a superpower for the love of cooking and food in all its forms. Fernando will prepare us an authentic Basque dinner using typical seasonal products (and local, of course!), vegetables from the orchards of Hondarribia and fish from the port market that we will have visited at dawn (the fish get up early, what are you going to do?). The menu? Simple and delicious as the very essence of Basque cuisine: anchovies, garden tomato salad (you know, those tomatoes that still have a tomato flavor) with small-batch home-canned tuna, baked monkfish and, for dessert, pantxineta (a cake typical of Gipuzkoa with puff pastry, cream and toasted almonds).
Why not discover also our pintxos tour in San Sebastián too?
- Price: two people 660€
- Extra adult +180€
- Child (10-17 years old) +140€
- Children under 10 years old +25€
- For groups bigger than 8 contact us
Characteristics
- Private tour
- Time: 10:00 and 17:00
- Duration: 6 hours
- Places: Hondarribia
Included
- Professional guide
- Transport
- Traditional meal
- Selection of drinks
- Water
Not included
- Meals, drinks and tickets not listed above
Tour reviews
We cannot go on enough about this tour. The day started with our guide Martin, picking us up at the meeting point. We took a scenic drive through the mountains from San Sebastian to Hondarribia. Not only was our drive filled with breathtaking views, but Martin's vast knowledge of Basque history. We made several leisurely stops to take in the sights and visit historical landmarks, to include the Sanctuary of the Guadalupe. We were able to see the French border and look down into the town of Hondarribia, our eventual destination. When we arrived, we visited the Old Quarter. Martin regaled us with the history of the town and pointed out key landmarks. Our final stop was a visit to a private gastronomic society, which was a real treat. A member prepared a scrumptious meal comprised of local foods for us. We sampled delicious cider, locally made olive oil, and shared in great fellowship. The tour was memorable, entertaining, and more than we imagined. We will forever treasure our adventure and highly recommend it!
Kelley - Mayo 2026
We had a FANTASTIC experience on our tour of Hondarribia and a Basque gastronomic society. We were so lucky to have 2 incredible individuals as our guides. Olatz, our “lead guide” is a true woman of the world, well travelled, but grounded and knowledgeable of her Basque heritage. Iwigo was our “guide in training” a young Basque native able to add contemporary observations of his home town. We were given a great history and culture lesson of the region as we drove and walked through Hondarribia. Believe me, it was Nora dry lecture, but rather fun and clear. As foodies we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at the Klink Society. The food was outstanding, prepared by a remarkable man and chef, Andres. We found that Andres and the society dedicated rousing theirprofits to feed those less fortunate- a noble cause. Take this tour and plan to have one forest travel experiences ever!
RJ - Abril 2026
I had an incredible week with Ikusnahi Tours! Ania was an incredible guide who is so kind, funny and knowledgeable. It feels like you’re spending time with an old friend rather than just a tour guide. These were some incredible off the beaten path experiences including a meal at a private gastronomic society, a pintxos tour, exclusive wineries and experiences I would have never found on my own. I cannot recommend them enough!
Sarah - Marzo 2026
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