CityBasque Country851 km to Santiago de Compostela

Irun

A border town on the Bidasoa River where Spain meets France, and the starting point of the Camino del Norte. Has full services and train connections to San Sebastian and beyond.

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About Irun

Irun is the starting point of the Camino del Norte, a border town on the Bidasoa River where Spain meets France. The town itself is functional rather than picturesque, but it has a full range of services and excellent transport connections.

Pilgrims will find albergues, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, ATMs, pharmacies, and a major train station. The Pilgrim Office at the Church of Nuestra Senora del Juncal issues credencials.

From Irun, the first day's walk climbs steeply over Monte Jaizkibel (545m), one of the most physically demanding openings on any Camino route, before descending to the fishing village of Pasaia and continuing to San Sebastian.

Where to stay

Beds in Irun, night by night

Every kind of bed in one place: online booking, direct-contact albergues, walk-ins and donativos. Live prices for your night.

October 15 to October 28Each night shows how many places you can book online and the lowest price. Select a night to see the detail.From

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Thursday, October 15Albergue dorms and private rooms both count. Walk-in and donativo albergues never sell out online: arrive early in the day instead.

Prices come live from our booking partners and change with demand. Walk-in and donativo albergues are not counted here: they are in the full list at the bottom of the page.

Explore

Explore Irun

The Camino through town, with prices where the beds are. Amber is the route; each pin is a place to stay.

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Things to do

Things to do in Irun

5 things

Camino MomentCollect Your Credential at the CathedralThe Cathedral of Nuestra Senora del Juncal is where most pilgrims collect their credential and receive their first stamp before starting the Camino del Norte. The 16th-century cathedral has a Renaissance facade and a spacious interior. The parish office is familiar with pilgrim visitors and can provide information about the route ahead. Knocking on the door and saying you are a pilgrim is all it takes. Your first stamp marks the beginning of 825 km to Santiago.

Camino MomentWalk Across the Border from FranceIf you are arriving from France, walk across the Puente de Santiago from Hendaye into Irun. The bridge over the Bidasoa River marks the border, and crossing it on foot feels like a proper beginning. The French side has the last of the boulangeries and patisseries. The Spanish side has the first of the pintxos bars. You are stepping from one world into another.

FoodEat Your First PintxosYou are in the Basque Country, which has one of the finest food cultures in Europe. The pintxos bars in Irun's old town and along Calle Mayor offer an excellent introduction. Pintxos are small dishes served on bread or toothpicks, displayed on the bar top for you to choose from. Order a Txakoli (the local slightly sparkling white wine) and try a few. Gildas (anchovy, olive, and guindilla pepper on a stick) are the classic starter. This is the beginning of a week of…

SightVisit the Ermita de San MarcialThe hilltop hermitage of San Marcial, just south of the town centre, offers panoramic views across the Bidasoa valley and into France. The climb is short and the views are a preview of the mountainous terrain to come on the Norte. The hermitage commemorates a 1522 battle in which the people of Irun defended the town against a French invasion. Each year on 30 June, the town celebrates the Alarde de San Marcial with a colourful festival.

RelaxationRest Before Stage 1Tomorrow you climb Mount Jaizkibel, one of the most demanding first stages on any Camino. The ascent begins immediately after leaving Irun and the route is exposed, steep, and physically challenging. Eat well tonight, hydrate, check your pack, and go to bed early. Fill your water bottles before you leave in the morning, as services are limited on the ridge. San Sebastian is waiting at the end of the day, but you have to earn it.

Getting here

Getting to Irun

How to reach your starting point from major cities and airports.

By air

By Air

San Sebastián Airport is just 3 km from Irún, located in neighbouring Hondarribia. It has limited connections from Madrid and Barcelona. Bilbao Airport is the main international airport for the region, with regular flights from across Europe. From Bilbao, take the Lurraldebus bus to San Sebastián then a local Euskotren train to Irún (total around 2 hours). Biarritz Airport in France is approximately 45 minutes away by local train via Hendaye.

By airBy Air

By trainBy Train

From Paris, take the TGV from Gare Montparnasse to Hendaye (around 4 hours), then a quick 10-minute local train across the border to Irún. From Madrid, Renfe trains run to San Sebastián (around 5 hours), with a short connecting Euskotren train to Irún. From Bilbao, Euskotren runs regular services to Irún (around 2.5 hours). Irún train station is centrally located and a short walk from the old town and the cathedral.

By busBy Bus

Alsa and FlixBus run services to Irún and San Sebastián from Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and other Spanish cities. From France, buses connect from Bayonne and Biarritz to Hendaye, with a short train hop to Irún.

By taxi or transferBy Car

Irún sits right on the French border on the AP-8 motorway. From Madrid, the drive is around 4.5 hours via Burgos. From Bilbao, around 1.5 hours. From Paris, around 8 hours via the A63. Parking is available in town but you will not need a car once you begin walking.

Arrival day

What to do on arrival

Your checklist for arrival day in Irun.

Visit the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Juncal (Irún Cathedral), the official starting point of the Camino del Norte. The local priest will provide your credential free of charge (donations welcome). The cathedral is a short walk from the train station, along the main avenue Colón Ibilbidea. You can also get a credential from the Jakobi Pilgrim Hostel (municipal albergue) on Calle Lucas de Berroa.

All accommodation

Places to stay in Irun

Our Koala Picks first, then donativos, albergues and hostels, hotels, and everything else. Within each group the best-reviewed places lead.

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Practical info

Practical information

Everything you need to know for your time in Irun.

Pilgrim Office

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Juncal (Irún Cathedral), Colón Ibilbidea. Credentials available from the local priest, free of charge (donations welcome). Also available at the municipal albergue (Jakobi) on Calle Lucas de Berroa.

ATM/Banks

ATMs are available throughout the town centre near the main square and on the main shopping street (Calle Larretxipi). Stock up on cash as services on the first stage are very limited.