9 things to do absolutely with children in the Basque Country

Traveling in the Basque Country with your children? To have fun, discover, be full of strong emotions while discovering the heritage of this emblematic region of the South West (Euskadi in Basque language) the Guide of the Basque Country has selected for you 9 things to do absolutely with children during the holidays. Tourist activities picked combining educational quality and entertainment for toddlers, children and adolescents.

Oihana: the largest adventure park in the Basque Country

South of Saint-Jean de Luz, in the magnificent Basque commune of Urrugne, discover the Oihana Adventure Park. Enjoy a natural wooded area of over 4000m² with sea view! Come and play Paintball with your family and browse the 120 workshops , spread over 7 levels, including zip lines. Exclusively in the Basque Country, try the Quick Jump, a free fall simulator during the course!

Paintball at Oihana is accessible from 7 years old on children's games and 12 years old on adult games, an original activity to discover with the family.

The activity park is accessible from 3 years old, to practice a physical, original and fun activity in the heart of a magnificent pine forest.

The nautical activity base of Lake Guiche: the Pop Base

Located 20 minutes from Bayonne, Lake Guiche is a large spring water reserve located in the heart of nature. Come and enjoy a grassy beach and a supervised swimming area with FREE access!

The Pop Base offers several activities for all audiences: WaterJump, a thrilling sport that allows you to jump face down, in buoys, on springboards before landing in the water. Strong sensations guaranteed. The slopes of different sizes allow practice for all levels.

Another activity offered by the Pop Base, the Accr'eau park is a course of aquatic adventures. Over 3000 m² of inflatable modules, ventriglisse slides, zip line, floating trampolines… Laughter guaranteed for the whole family!

You can also take advantage of Lake Guiche thanks to the rental of boats: stand-up paddle, kayak, boat and even giant paddles to sail up to eight people at the same time.

For children who cannot swim, toboggan runs, a sandy bathing area, swings and other activities have been planned to entertain the little ones as well as their parents.

You will also find a catering offer on site, with shaded tables, petanque, volleyball, football…

A stopover mixing water, sport and nature to offer yourself during your stay in the Basque Country! For more information, go here

In Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, a secure beach for the whole family in lush greenery

Located 2 kilometers from the village center, surrounded by nature, the Saint-Pée lake is a haven of peace. Freshwater mirror, fed by four sources, it covers 12 hectares.

Built and maintained all year round, its leisure center allows the practice of many water sports: canoeing, water slide, pedalos. Swimming is supervised in July and August. Several play areas are available to children on 700m of beach. 

This site offers: a health course, 2 tennis courts, a fishing area, picnic areas and a motorhome area. Everyone, according to their tastes, can find calm, rest and activities...

In the footsteps of wildlife in the Rabbit Forest of Itxassou

Discover the different breeds of rabbits and guinea pigs, in an idyllic setting on the heights of Itxassou thanks to the Rabbit Forest.

This site offers guided walking tours (or not) to observe the fauna, flora, raptors, as well as learning about the fabulous history of the rabbit from 400,000 years ago to the present day.

And for small and large appetites it is possible to order light meals or picnic on site.

In the footsteps of Cyrano at Villa Arnaga

Edmond Rostand, the author of Cyrano de Bergerac, planted in a green setting the house of his dreams: the Villa Arnaga of Cambo-les-Bains.

In neo-Basque style, his villa has 19 sumptuously decorated rooms with modern facilities: electricity, hot water, hydrotherapy...

Majestically laid out facing the Pyrenees, a Versailles garden with flower beds, pergolas and water features, extends over 4 hectares, completed in the west by an English park.

Many events will bring different light - theater, readings, concerts, book fair... - to honor the author of Cyrano de Bergerac.

The Biarritz Aquarium, a classic that will delight young and old!

Located in the center of Biarritz, facing the Rocher de la Vierge, the Biarritz Aquarium opens its doors to you for an original discovery of the seabed. About fifty aquariums await you!

You begin the tour at the aquarium Bay of Biscay: jellyfish, octopus s, seahorses... discover the species that inhabit our Atlantic coast!

After a dive into the past through collections (cetacean gallery and history of fishing in the Basque Country), you enter the cave of turtles and rays for a surprising face to face…

Highlight of the visit: at 10:30 am or 5:00 pm, on the panoramic terrace, watch the entertainment around the seal meal!

Surfing, an essential activity in the Basque Country!

Make your children the next Kelly Slater and Alana Blanchard! If surfing has its origins in the Pacific in Hawaii and Tahiti, it has become one of the economic and sporting emblems of the Basque Country today.

Wherever you spend your holidays or your weekend along the Basque coast, there will necessarily be a surf school ready to welcome your children. To find a surf school near your destination follow this link!

The towed buoys for thrills with the family

Do you want thrills? Make a towed buoy while admiring the landscapes of the Basque Country. The little ones love it and the big kids too! Contact the establishment of your choice, remember to book in advance during the summer period!

Wild immersion in the Izadia ecological park in Anglet

In the Basque language, "Izadia" means "nature". Lovers of the great outdoors and ecology, children and families, this 14.7 hectare park offers a green setting with unspoiled landscapes. A wild parenthesis which welcomes the last vestiges, not urbanized, of the dune coast and back dune of the Landes coast. Here, the salt water of the lagoon mixes with the fresh water of an arm of the Adour to create an exceptional environment rich in biodiversity.

Accessible free of charge and open to everyone, this ecological park managed by the municipality of Anglet and included in the "Natura 2000 L'Adour" area, aims to reconnect visitors with nature through a course of hiking trails. A beautiful ride in perspective, which will appeal to the greatest number. More information here

Thanks to these 9 things to do absolutely in the Basque Country, it is sure, your children will not be bored and you will be able to enjoy and relax, the whole family will be happy. To discover more family activities to test with your family, we suggest you explore the section “Do it your way” and the “Family” tab. Your best holidays in the Basque Country are just a click away!

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