Basque Coast and Landes by campervan: 7 days
From San Sebastián to the endless beaches of the French Landes, taking in Hondarribia and Biarritz along the way. A week of surf, pintxos, pine forests and cliffs, crossing the border without even noticing. Stops and where to spend the night included.
This route has a special charm: you start out eating pintxos in the old quarter of San Sebastián and, almost without noticing, end up sleeping among pine trees right by a French beach that stretches for miles without a soul in sight. The Basque Coast and the Landes are two worlds joined by a border you can barely see any more, and the campervan is the perfect way to stitch them together in a week. Surf, cliffs, postcard villages and endless dunes. Let's get into it.
The map above marks the route. Here it is, day by day.
Days 1-2: San Sebastián and around
Start in San Sebastián, which needs no introduction: La Concha, Mount Igueldo, the old quarter fuelled by pintxos and txakoli. Give it a full day and take your time. Nearby you've got Zarautz and its long beach for a first surf lesson, and the climb up Mount Jaizkibel, with viewpoints over the Cantabrian Sea that demand a stop. For opening times and access, the official Basque Country tourist board is the most reliable source.
From Madrid, San Sebastián is about 450 km away (around four and a half hours), so it's best to set off the evening before and start the route well rested.
Day 3: Hondarribia and the crossing into France
Head up to Hondarribia, one of the prettiest towns in the Basque Country, with its walled old town and colourful harbour. From here you cross into France almost without realising it: no checks, no paperwork, you just keep driving. The first French stop, Hendaye, immediately tells you the plan is switching languages but not beauty.
Day 4: Biarritz, surf and elegance
Biarritz is the chic jewel of the coast: a lighthouse, beaches dotted with surfboards everywhere, Belle Époque mansions and a surf-and-good-living vibe. This is where European surfing was born, so if you fancy giving it a go, this is the place. Have dinner with a view of the Atlantic and soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere before heading into wilder territory.
Days 5-6: Hossegor and the Landes pine forests
Now things change gear. Hossegor and Capbreton are the surfing mecca, with serious waves and a lively young crowd. And to the north opens up the world of the Landes: Europe's largest pine forest runs straight down onto Atlantic beaches that vanish into the distance, with campsites tucked among the trees right on the sand. This is where the campervan really shines: you park among the pines, breathe in resin and sea air, and the beach is 200 metres away. Days of cycling, swimming, napping and little else. Exactly what the doctor ordered.
If you're travelling with a board or planning to hire one, it's worth knowing how to make the most of the campervan's water and outdoor shower between sessions; we cover that in the campervan manual.
Day 7: Mimizan and the way back
Keep heading up to Mimizan or wherever in the Landes takes your fancy as a final stop, with its dunes and lake, then start the journey home with salt still on your skin. From here, the road back to Madrid is a straight shot.
Where to sleep and refuel
On the Basque Coast, free overnight parking is heavily regulated (some areas and months carry explicit bans), so rely on motorhome service areas and campsites, which aren't in short supply. The French side is a paradise of campsites tucked among pines right by the beach, many of them designed with campervans and surfers in mind. Top up fuel in the towns and bear in mind that diesel prices in France can differ; budget without cutting it too fine. And as always, spend the night with your head screwed on: we explain it all in where it's legal to sleep in a campervan.
Two countries in a week, starting from Madrid
The best thing about this route is how little effort it takes to feel like you've changed worlds. You leave Madrid, and within a week you've surfed in two countries, eaten brilliantly and slept facing the Atlantic. The campervan comes fully checked and spotless, and we'll sort out any questions about the route or the crossing into France over WhatsApp before you set off.
Check out the available Winkles and pick your dates and book. The Atlantic is waiting.
Which campervan to choose
For a week of beaches and pintxos, the Winkle Índico offers the ideal balance of kit and range.
Related routes
- Picos de Europa by campervan: a 5-day route
- The Algarve and Portugal's Atlantic coast by campervan: 9 days
- From the Pyrenees to Cabo de Gata (12 days)
Before you book
Check the requirements, pricing and how booking works in the guide to renting a campervan in Spain.
Ready for this route? Pick your dates and book →
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to do any paperwork to cross into France with the campervan?
None at all. You can travel across the European Union at no extra cost and with no paperwork, so crossing from the Basque Coast into the Landes is as simple as carrying on driving. Just bring your ID or passport and the campervan's documents, which we hand over to you already sorted.
Where can you spend the night with the campervan on this route?
On the Basque Coast, overnight parking is heavily regulated and there are areas and seasons with explicit bans, so it's best to rely on motorhome service areas and campsites (there are plenty, especially on the French side). The Landes are packed with campsites tucked among the pines right by the beach. Always respect local signage.
Is this a good route for getting into surfing?
One of the best in Europe. Zarautz, Biarritz, Hossegor and the whole Landes coastline have schools and waves for every level. The campervan is the perfect surf companion: you load the boards, sleep close to the beach, and catch the next wave at dawn without depending on anyone.
What's the best time of year for this route?
June to September for the beach and swimming, bearing in mind that August is the busiest month (especially in France). June and September strike the best balance: good weather, pleasant water and fewer crowds. Spring and autumn are ideal if you're more into surfing and scenery than swimming.