Hendaye Beach
A vast, beautiful sandy beach renowned for surfing, with a scenic promenade offering stunning ocean views and charming cafes.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Calm waters, fewer crowds
Hendaye Beach
Best Time
Calm waters, fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vast, beautiful sandy beach renowned for surfing, with a scenic promenade offering stunning ocean views and charming cafes.
"Gorgeous beach and lovely restaurant overlooking. Surfers paradise."
Surf's Up!
Check surf reports before visiting if you plan to surf. Waves can be high and surfers abundant. :ocean:
Promenade Views
Enjoy a walk or cycle along the promenade; cafes offer great views. :camerawithflash:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Surfer's Paradise
Vast sandy expanse perfect for catching waves. A prime spot for surf enthusiasts of all levels.
The Promenade
A scenic walk or cycle path with cafes offering beautiful ocean views. Perfect for a relaxed afternoon.
Nudist Section
A designated area for those seeking a more natural beach experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Waves (or Sun!)
Beyond the Sand
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Surf's Up!
Check surf reports before visiting if you plan to surf. Waves can be high and surfers abundant. :ocean:
Promenade Views
Enjoy a walk or cycle along the promenade; cafes offer great views. :camerawithflash:
NorthEast Spain Surf
Family Friendly
A nice, safe area for families to enjoy the sand and sea. :familywomanwoman_boy:
Less Crowded
Often less crowded than nearby San Sebastian. :peopleholdinghands:
Going to the south of France in late october. Need advice tips or anything else you know.
Tips
from all over the internet
Surf's Up!
Check surf reports before visiting if you plan to surf. Waves can be high and surfers abundant. :ocean:
Promenade Views
Enjoy a walk or cycle along the promenade; cafes offer great views. :camerawithflash:
Family Friendly
A nice, safe area for families to enjoy the sand and sea. :familywomanwoman_boy:
Less Crowded
Often less crowded than nearby San Sebastian. :peopleholdinghands:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Hendaye Beach's beautiful sandy expanse, making it a surfer's paradise and a lovely spot for sunbathing. The scenic promenade with its cafes is a major draw, offering great views and a pleasant place to relax. It's often noted as being less crowded than nearby San Sebastian, providing a more tranquil experience.
"A beautiful beach to paddle from one end to the other, but maybe not when the waves are high and the surfers are everywhere. I walked and cycled the prom many times and there are sufficient cafe's along its length to keep everyone happy. A beautiful place to visit."
Glenn Roberts
"Lovely sandy beach, November and sun's out what's not to like, come and enjoy it's a nice safe area."
Steven Clark
"Gorgeous beach and lovely restaurant overlooking . Surfers paradise."
Betty Gibbs
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Hendaye Beach is accessible by car, with parking available nearby. Public transport options include buses and trains to Hendaye town, followed by a short walk to the beach.
Yes, Hendaye Beach is a popular day trip from San Sebastian. You can reach it by car, bus, or train, and it's generally less crowded than San Sebastian's beaches.
There are several parking lots near Hendaye Beach, though they can fill up quickly during peak season. Arriving early is recommended.
Absolutely! The promenade is perfect for cycling, and there are bike paths leading to the beach. :bike:
Yes, Hendaye Beach makes for a great day trip from Bilbao. The drive is scenic, and the beach offers a refreshing escape.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Hendaye Beach is a public beach and does not have an entrance fee. You can enjoy the sand and sea for free.
Hendaye Beach is open 24/7, as it is a natural public space. However, facilities like cafes and lifeguard services operate during specific hours, especially in summer.
No, booking tickets is not necessary for Hendaye Beach as it is a free public access beach.
Generally, there are no strict restrictions on bringing your own food and drinks to Hendaye Beach, but it's always good practice to clean up after yourself.
Yes, Hendaye Beach has a designated nudist section, which is appreciated by visitors looking for that experience. :womanintunicandpants:
🎫 🏄 Surfing & Water Sports
Hendaye Beach is renowned as a surfers' paradise, offering consistent waves suitable for various skill levels. :surfer:
Yes, Hendaye Beach is suitable for beginners, especially in certain areas. Surf schools are often available to provide lessons and rentals.
You can find several surf schools and rental shops near Hendaye Beach offering lessons and equipment for all levels.
The best surfing conditions often occur with moderate swells and favorable wind directions. It's advisable to check local surf forecasts.
While surfing is the main draw, you might find opportunities for paddleboarding or other beach-related activities depending on the season and conditions.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there are numerous cafes and restaurants along the promenade overlooking the beach, offering a variety of dining options.
You can expect a range of cuisine, from local Basque specialties to international dishes, with many places offering fresh seafood.
While some restaurants can be upscale, you can also find more casual cafes and snack bars along the promenade for more affordable options.
Picnicking is generally allowed, and many visitors enjoy bringing their own food to savor on the sand. Remember to dispose of your trash properly.
The restaurants and cafes along the promenade often provide excellent vantage points for enjoying a drink while watching the sunset over the ocean.
📸 📸 Photography Tips
Golden hour, just after sunrise and before sunset, offers the most beautiful light for photography. Midday can be harsh, but good for capturing the vibrant blues of the water.
Try capturing surfers in action, the vastness of the sandy beach, or the scenic promenade. Experiment with different angles and compositions.
The promenade offers elevated views, and walking towards either end of the beach can provide unique perspectives of the coastline and surfers.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive beach and ocean. A polarizing filter can help reduce glare and enhance colors.
Get low to the ground to emphasize the sand textures, or try capturing reflections in wet sand after the waves recede.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Look for areas with gentler waves for younger children. Many of the cafes along the promenade offer kid-friendly menus, and the overall atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming for families. Consider bringing beach toys and plenty of sunscreen for a fun-filled day.
🏄 Surfers
Always check the surf forecast before you go to understand the conditions. Renting a board or taking a lesson from one of the local surf schools is highly recommended if you're new to the spot or want to improve your technique.
🚶♀️ Strollers & Cyclists
It's a perfect route for a relaxed afternoon outing, offering easy access to cafes and viewpoints. You can rent bikes locally or bring your own to explore the length of the beach and its surroundings.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Surfing at Hendaye Beach
When the waves pick up, it becomes a playground for more advanced surfers. It's important to be aware of the surf conditions before heading out, as strong waves and numerous surfers can make it challenging for novices. Checking a surf forecast is highly recommended to understand the swell size, wind direction, and tide.
Several surf schools and rental shops are conveniently located near the beach, offering everything from beginner lessons to board rentals. This accessibility makes it easy for anyone to try their hand at surfing or improve their skills.
Exploring the Promenade
Lined with charming cafes and restaurants, the promenade is an ideal place to relax, grab a coffee, or enjoy a meal with a view. These establishments cater to various tastes and budgets, making it easy to find a spot to unwind after a day at the beach or during a scenic walk.
Cycling along the promenade is a particularly enjoyable experience, offering a different perspective of the beach and its surroundings. It's a safe and accessible way to explore the length of the beach and soak in the coastal atmosphere.
Hendaye Beach Photography
Experiment with different angles and perspectives to capture the essence of the beach. Getting low to the sand can emphasize its texture, while shooting from the promenade provides a broader view of the coastline. Capturing surfers in action adds dynamism to your photos, showcasing the beach's vibrant energy.
Consider using a wide-angle lens to encompass the vastness of the beach and ocean, or a polarizing filter to cut through glare and intensify the blues of the water and sky. The interplay of light and shadow on the sand, especially after the tide recedes, can also create visually striking images.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit