Caves to visit in the Basque Country

Whatever the season, the Basque Country is a delightful region to visit. Charming villages, stunning expansive beaches, and renowned cuisine make it a perfect escape any time of year. Above all, don't miss the region's must-see caves. Steeped in history and set within a mysterious, rocky landscape, they are sure to leave you breathless.

Cover photo: The magnificent Arrikrutz Caves

Basque Country, caves near Bayonne to visit

Bayonne is a popular holiday destination thanks to its beaches, gastronomy, and heritage. Extend your adventure to the nearest caves and immerse yourself in the heart of underground life in broad daylight.

The caves of Isturitz and Oxocelhaya

The Isturitz and Oxocelhaya caves in Saint-Martin-d'Arberoue immerse you in an incredible prehistoric world. Located between Lascaux and Altamira, explore the only caves listed as historical monuments since 1953.

• Isturitz was the site of the discovery of a quantity of mass-produced objects, including engraved plaques and pebbles, semi-circular sticks and flutes, historical references for this cave located between the Aquitaine plain and the Basque-Cantabrian coastline.
• Oxocelhaya, 15 km further down, is a series of chambers decorated with rock art to be discovered in the depths. Signs, engravings, clay plaques—it's a true prehistoric sanctuary to visit.

The Cave of the Chamber of Love

The Chambre d'Amour cave in Anglet, also known as the Chambre d'Amour cave, is a charming little neighborhood nestled between the beaches of Anglet and the Biarritz lighthouse. Get your tissues ready as you explore this emotionally charged place, where Laorens, an orphan, and Saubade, the daughter of a wealthy farmer, fell in love. This cave witnessed their secret romance, where the lovers met against their parents' wishes. One stormy day in the Bay of Biscay, the sea rose rapidly, sweeping away the lovers who had kept their promise to love each other until death.

Basque Country: Caves to visit all year round

Let's leave Bayonne to explore the Basque Country in search of geological wonders open to visitors.

The caves of Sare

The Sare Caves, also known as Lezea, are less than an hour south of Bayonne. This little gem of local heritage is the pride of the inhabitants, in a typical Basque village listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. In the heart of the Axturia mountains, discover caverns, such as the Sare Caves, beneath clay soil. Deep within the earth, find a natural habitat with an unusual geology on the immense limestone massif of Sare. Visit this place of myth, unchanged for nearly 2 million years, during a 45-minute guided tour. Afterward, take your time and stroll through the open-air megalithic park. Reconstructed monuments and ancient rituals tell the story of the period from Protohistory to the Metal Ages.

The Verna cave

The Verna cave in Sainte-Engrâce is the largest accessible underground chamber in the world. Explore the 660 meters of horizontal tunnel created to allow you to discover this mineral gem year-round. In the heart of the La Pierre-Saint-Martin limestone massif, discover an immense chasm with a cool temperature of 5°C. Continue your visit by climbing the 80-step staircase between the rock and the scree, which offers a panoramic view of the chamber, or opt for a 2-hour hike through the galleries to explore the legendary Pierre-Saint-Martin chasm and the Verna cave.

Caves to visit in the Southern Basque Country, on the Spanish side

• In Oñati, the Arrikrutz caves can be visited by walking on a walkway or by caving. The site is beautifully presented. These caves with concretions are not very crowded, but they are well worth the trip.

• The Urdax caves are well worth a visit. Put on your walking shoes to explore this beautiful site. Just 30 minutes from the coast, it's a worthwhile detour to experience the natural beauty of the Basque Country.

• The replica of the Ekainberri caves in Zestoa. We recommend buying your ticket in town. The path leading to the replica is very pleasant. There's a small museum that explains the history of the original cave and its preservation, the paintings on display…
• The Zugarramurdi caves are impressive due to their vast size. Located near a charming village, they require a short walk to reach. Parking is not nearby. It's an open cave, accessible at a low price, and situated in a beautiful setting. Follow the Witches' Trail!
• The Santimamiñe caves in Biscay can only be visited with a prior reservation made by telephone well in advance. It is a conservation site that can be explored through a virtual tour, after which you access the excavation site at the cave entrance.

Put on your sweater and shoes, and set off to discover the underground treasures of the Basque Country. Stories, engravings, paintings – it's up to you to choose which cave to visit; you have all the information you need to have fun.

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