Going to the Basque Coast with your dog
Discover the Basque Coast, from the Pyrenees Atlantiques to the North of Spain, with your dog! Between the Ocean and its dog-friendly beaches, the Basque villages and the many hikes accessible with a dog, the Basque Coast is a very beautiful destination in the Southwest to discover.
The Basque Coast is an ideal destination for enjoying the fresh air during your holidays with your dog, nestled between the ocean, mountains, and charming villages. From hikes in the Pyrenees with ocean views and walks along the coast, to dog-friendly activities and dog-friendly beaches, this region offers the perfect setting for a holiday with your four-legged companion.
What we love about the Basque Coast at Musher is the diversity of its landscapes . In just a few kilometers, you can go from coastal paths facing the Atlantic to the verdant hills of the inland Basque Country. It's also a region where you can easily find activities to do with your dog without having to miss out on cultural or culinary discoveries.
In this article, I'll take you to discover the most beautiful hikes, the must-see activities and the best swimming spots to see with your dog on the Basque Coast, mainly on the French side, but also on the Spanish side.
Table of contents
Practical Memo
Where to stay on the Basque Coast with my dog? Here are 6 of the best QUALIDOG-certified accommodations for your holiday with your dog!
Camping Yelloh! Village Ilbarritz ****
🌊 Near the ocean, with a dog park 🐶
Camping LOU PTIT POUN
With a surprise for your dog!
Haven't found what you're looking for in our selection? Here are some sites where you can find dog-friendly accommodations (not QUALIDOG certified).
- 🚗 Rent a car
- 🚐 Rent a campervan
- (I.e. Find a train ticket Arrival at the TGV stations of Bayonne, Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Hendaye, Irun, then TER regional train.
- Bar Restaurant EtxemendiEspelette
- Donnie OceanSaint-Jean-de-Luz
- Town hallAnglet
- During your hikes in the Basque Country, you might encounter flocks of Manech sheep protected by mountain dogs. Remain vigilant and take the time to learn about The right reflexes to adopt when encountering these herdsmen.
- Very common in spring in the forests of the Basque Country (particularly in pine and oak forests, such as in the Iraty or Saint-Pée forests), Processionary caterpillars pose a real danger to your dog.Avoid infested areas, keep your pet under supervision and absolutely prevent any contact with their stinging hairs.
- In summer, temperatures rise quickly, and the high humidity of the Basque Country can make exercise difficult for your dog. To avoid heatstroke, opt for walks during the coolest hours (morning and evening), bring water, and take breaks in the shade. Your dog can also wear a harness or a cooling vest to help with walks. To equip your dog, consult our comparison of freshness accessories.
🥾 Walks and hikes to do with your dog on the Basque Coast
The Basque Coast is a perfect destination for hiking with your dog between the ocean, mountains and wide open natural spaces.
- The coastal path between Bidart and Saint-Jean-de-Luz The coastal path is one of the most beautiful walks to take with your dog on the Basque Coast. The path runs along the ocean between cliffs, secluded coves, and small coastal trails with magnificent views of the Atlantic. This walk also allows you to enjoy the seaside even when some beaches become dog-free during peak season. I recommend taking this walk early in the morning or at sunset. Plan your exploration of Saint-Jean-de-Luz with the article Go to Saint-Jean-de-Luz with your dog
- The turn of theItxassou aerodrome Gain some altitude with this lovely walk accessible from Itxassou airfield. From the parking lot, a path allows you to complete a loop in about 45 minutes. The view is superb throughout, with a 360° panorama of the Basque mountains, from La Rhune to Artzamendi, from Baigura to Ursuia. As the path is popular and crosses grazing areas, it's best to keep your dog on a leash. Picnic tables are available in the parking lot for a relaxing break.
- Hiking in the Ustaritz and Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle forest This loop of approximately 6,4 km crosses several wooded paths in a very natural setting. The route remains accessible with a few hilly sections but without any major difficulties. The numerous shaded areas make this walk particularly pleasant with a dog on hot days.
- Le Lake Xoldokogaina from the Ibardin pass This easy hike leads to a small mountain lake in a pristine environment. The loop takes approximately 2 hours with an elevation gain of 280 meters. Along the way, you'll regularly pass through grazing areas with Pottok ponies (Basque horses) and cows, so dogs must be kept on a leash. While swimming in the lake is not permitted, the natural setting is still superb for an outing with your dog.
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Dog food, supplies, grooming, vacations… the cost of a dog can quickly add up. So, with Musher, we created the Advantage Card : the very first card that brings together useful discounts to save you money all year round, on everyday expenses or vacations. 💸 See the 34 available discounts
The Basque Coast is not limited to its hiking trails; the region also abounds with typical villages and dog-friendly activities to discover with your dog.
🌶️Activities to do with your dog on the Basque Coast
Between hikes, cultural immersions and dog-friendly activities, the Basque Coast offers an ideal playground to share with your dog.
- Visit the most beautiful villages on the coast It's impossible to come here without discovering the iconic villages of the Basque Coast. With a dog, I particularly enjoy strolling through the narrow streets of...Espelette with its chili-covered facades, strolling along the port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz or enjoy the ocean views at Bidart. Saint-Pee-sur-Nivelle It's also worth a visit for its typically Basque heritage, while Bayonne seduced by its lively atmosphere and local cuisine. Urrugne is ideal if you like more authentic villages with their Labourd-style houses and panoramic views of the Basque mountains. As for CiboureI love its calmer atmosphere and its pretty, typical port facing Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
- Discover Basque cuisine The Basque Country is a must-see destination for food-loving travelers. Many producers welcome visitors, including dogs: chili pepper farms, cheese dairies, charcuterie producers, and vineyards. The Atelier du Piment (Chili Pepper Workshop), which accepts dogs, is one of the interesting places to visit to discover the history of the famous Espelette pepper and local specialties. Don't leave the Basque Country without trying the famous Basque cake; just talking about it makes my mouth water… ouch.
- Discover geocaching If you're looking for a unique activity to do with your dog during the holidays, the Terra Aventura trails are an excellent idea. The concept is simple: a treasure hunt that allows you to discover several villages and natural areas while walking with your dog. It's fun, free, and perfect for keeping the whole family entertained.
- Visiting the Basque Country by train : The Rhune train It provides easy access to one of the most beautiful panoramas on the Basque Coast without having to undertake a long hike. Dogs are accepted under certain conditions: on board, your dog must travel under the bench between your legs so as not to obstruct the passage.
- Surfing with your dog It's hard to talk about the Basque Coast without mentioning surfing. While not all beaches are dog-friendly, some schools and spots still allow you to fully enjoy the surfing atmosphere during your stay. 👉 Before trying surfing with your dog, you can check out our article Surfing with your dog.
🌊 Beaches in the Basque Country where your dog can swim
Even though the rules vary depending on the town and the season, there are several dog-friendly beaches on the Basque Coast. Don't forget to equip your dog with a life jacket when you get close to the water, especially if they're not comfortable: the waves can be quite powerful on the Basque Country beaches. 👉 Between rip currents, tides, and salt water… I recommend you consult our article on precautions to take when going to the beach with your dog.
- The beaches of Anglet In Anglet, all beaches are accessible to dogs from November 1st to April 1st. It is clearly one of the most convenient areas to enjoy the beach with your dog out of season in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
- The beaches of Biarritz In Biarritz, the rules vary depending on the beach. Dogs are allowed on the Grande Plage and Miramar beaches from 7 am to 11 am, from November 1st to March 31st. For all other beaches in the city, dogs are permitted from October 1st to April 30th. Plan your visit to Biarritz with our guide: Visit Biarritz with your dog
- The beaches of Bidart In Bidart, all beaches are accessible to dogs from October 1st to May 31st. Dogs must generally be kept on a leash, especially during busier periods.
- Dog-free beaches Note: Some beaches remain off-limits to dogs year-round, even on a leash. This is particularly true of the beaches in Hendaye and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
👉 If you want to know which beaches allow dogs in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, check out our Top 5 dog-friendly beaches in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques!
And if you want to extend your stay on the other side of the border, the Spanish Basque Coast also has some wonderful discoveries to make with your dog.
🇪🇸 What to do with your dog on the Spanish Basque Coast?
The Spanish Basque Country is an excellent dog-friendly destination for enjoying walks, hikes, and beaches with your dog in a more relaxed atmosphere than in France. With Musher, we love spending the day there, alternating between walks along the ocean, lively villages, and more secluded natural areas.
⚠️ Before crossing the border , make sure you have your dog's European passport. It must be up-to-date on its rabies vaccination, be over 15 weeks old, and be properly identified. For more details, read the article " Which vaccines are needed to travel with your dog?"
With that reminder out of the way, let's move on to the holiday program!
- Discovering the villages of the Spanish Basque Coast with your dog: The Spanish Basque Country is full of towns and villages that are very pleasant to visit with a dog. San Sebastian seduced by its long oceanfront promenades and lively atmosphere, while Hondarribia Charming with its colorful old town and typical harbor. Further west, Guernica allows you to discover a more cultural and historical side of the Spanish Basque Country. Bilbao It is also worth a visit for its mix of modern architecture, pleasant quays to walk around with your dog and a very lively urban atmosphere.
- Enjoy water activities in the Urdaibai reserve The Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve is a true paradise for dogs who love water and outdoor activities. Several water sports centers offer kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding excursions on the Mundaka estuary in a magnificent natural setting of marshes, cliffs, and small Basque harbors. With Musher, it's exactly the kind of place we love for a relaxing day by the water while discovering the landscapes from a different perspective. Some activities also allow you to simply rent a paddleboard or kayak to explore the estuary at your own pace.
- Explore the Bidassoa greenway The Bidassoa greenway is ideal if you're looking for an easy and pleasant walk with your dog. The route follows the river in a calm and accessible environment, perfect for a peaceful stroll during your holidays.
- Hiking in Aiako Harria Natural Park The Aiako Harria Natural Park offers several forest trails accessible with a dog, in a much wilder setting than the coast. Between forests, hills, and shaded paths, it's an excellent option for enjoying a true nature hike on the Spanish side.
- Enjoy the beaches on the Spanish side Some Spanish beaches are more tolerant of dogs depending on the season. Zarautz Beach The most well-known remains: it is accessible to dogs without time restrictions during the off-season, from October 13th until the beginning of Holy Week. During the bathing season, dogs are only allowed in the evening and early morning, between 21 pm and 6 am. You will also find several small coves around Hondarribia as well as certain areas near pasaia accessible outside of summer.
As you've probably gathered, from hikes overlooking the vast ocean to charming coastal villages, the Basque Coast promises a wonderful holiday with your dog! For a successful stay on the Basque Coast, don't forget the QUALIDOG-certified accommodations I mentioned at the beginning of the article ; these are perfect places to fully enjoy your holiday with your canine companion.
Want to discover other dog-friendly gems in the Basque Country? Check out our article Holidays in the Basque Country with a dog for even more inspiration.
And you, what are your favorite places to discover with your dog on the Basque Coast? Share your favorite spots and experiences in the comments, I'm always eager to discover new places to try with Musher 🐾
