The Caves of Sare Guided underground journey in the heart of the Basque Country

Opening hours

Open

  • Monday 10:00 am - 06:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00 am - 06:00 pm
  • Wednesday 10:00 am - 06:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 06:00 pm
  • Friday 10:00 am - 06:00 pm
  • Saturday 10:00 am - 06:00 pm
  • Sunday 10:00 am - 06:00 pm

Closes at 06:00 pm

Closing

  • December 24, 2025
  • December 25, 2025
  • January 1, 2026

Useful information

  • Petit Futé
  • Gites de France

Location : In the countryside

Province : Labourd

Services

  • Bank cards accepted
  • Basque spoken
  • Chèques Vacances (Holiday voucher)
  • Disable access
  • English spoken
  • Eusko Local currency of the Basque Country
  • Groups
  • Parking
  • Spanish spoken
  • English
    • An original exploration of the underground world!

      20km from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, in the heart of a remarkable natural and historical territory, lies a prehistoric site where the echo of a thousand-year-old human adventure vibrates...

      Beyond a history or geology lesson, the guided tour of the Sare Caves offers a journey in the footsteps of our ancestors, where emotions mingle with the murmurs of the earth. An opportunity to grasp and reconnect with the deep connection that unites us to nature, the source of our beliefs and cultures.
      The megalithic park and the site museum are freely accessible and allow you to supplement the knowledge acquired during the guided tour.

      A unique, educational and entertaining experience for young and old, to be enjoyed whatever the weather, under cover and at 14°C all year round!

      A protected site:
      The Sare Caves are part of the Natura 2000 network. They are home to a rich flora and fauna, some of which are endemic. Within the cave, special monitoring and protection are provided to certain local inhabitants... bats!

      Relaxation and restoration:
      To enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the place, a picnic area, a bar open year-round and a panoramic dining room (open in summer) are available.


      2025 timetable:

      • From January 2nd to 5th : every day from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
      • From February 10 to April 2: from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and school holidays.
      • From April 3 to September 28: every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
      • From September 29 to November 2: every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
      • From November 3 to January 4, 2026: from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and school holidays.

      Closing days: December 24, 25, 2025 and January 1, 2026.

      2025 Rates:

      • Adult: €10
      • Child (5 to 13 years old inclusive): €6
      • Teenager (14 - 17 years inclusive) / Student: €8.50
      • Family Pass: €32 (2 adults and 3 children aged 5 to 13 inclusive)


      Reservation :
      Due to the limited number of people per visit, prior reservation is required.
      It can be done online or from one of the 19 tourist information offices of the Basque Country Tourist Office.

      PLEASE NOTE:
      Animals, strollers and taking photos/videos are not allowed in the cave.
      All information can be found on thewebsite .

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  • Euskara

Traveller Reviews The Caves of Sare

4.5 sur 5 5656 reviews

  • isabelle AMBROSINO

    4 sur 5 Reviews posted by isabelle AMBROSINO on 13/07/2025

    A cave that dates back 2 million years!!! It has remained intact and can be visited with a limited number of daily tourists. The humidity is very high and the temperature at the bottom is 14 degrees, a delight in the middle of summer! The water has carved out sumptuous walls of limestone and clay and a "symphony" that speaks volumes about the power of the current at that time. A film at the beginning of the tour explains that the cave was inhabited in summer because the cave is wide open, and that in winter, nomadic hunters preferred less snowy access points by the ocean, richer in food. Cave bears once inhabited it, as well as several species of bats that are still there and are protected in a cavity closed to visitors. A wonderful tour with a guide followed by commentary from the cave itself!!! The tour is accessible to families, children, and all. There are only 70 steps to climb or descend during the visit. The setting is sumptuous outside.

  • sylvie meteau

    5 sur 5 Reviews posted by sylvie meteau on 13/07/2025

  • Ana Ma GG

    5 sur 5 Reviews posted by Ana Ma GG on 13/07/2025

Traveller Reviews The Caves of Sare

4.1 sur 5 1053 reviews

  • "Interesting anthropological history"

    3 / 5 Reviews posted by lottevdv (Utrecht, The Netherlands) on 19/08/2024

    Nice caves that can be accessed with tours in French, Spanish or Basque. The caves have a very interesting (anthropological) history and the guide on my tour was particularly knowledgeable. There is...

    Read the full review
  • "The place needs more English signs"

    2 / 5 Reviews posted by 05_Rose3 (Ace, Texas) on 22/11/2023

    The leaflets and signages in English are not adequate. It is a very cold place that needs double jacketed visitors.

    Read the full review
  • "Nature's own artistic work"

    4 / 5 Reviews posted by John D (Strasbourg, France) on 12/06/2023

    Well organised with capable guide. Site of geological interest with magnificent rock formations, well illuminated and competently explained. Thank you for a pleasant visit.

    Read the full review

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The Caves of Sare

Address

Grottes de Sare
64310 Sare

GPS coordinates

43° 16'6.85"N, 1° 34'15.97"W

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