Gipuzkoa · Hegoalde

Irun

Gipuzkoa’s second-largest town, with almost 64,000 inhabitants, and a border town separated from Hendaye by the Bidasoa. Often driven straight through on the way to France or San Sebastián, Irun is nonetheless worth a detour for the Roman remains of Oiasso, the wetlands of Txingudi Bay and its heritage.

Irun in 30 seconds

Almost 64,000 inhabitants (63,656 in 2024, INE) over 42.8 km², Gipuzkoa’s second town after San Sebastián, separated from Hendaye by the Bidasoa. San Sebastián airport, located in Hondarribia, serves the area.

What to see

Oiasso Roman Museum

Opened on 20 July 2006, on Calle Eskoleta. Irun is thought to be the Oiasso mentioned in Roman sources: the finds of 1992 (pottery, tiles, glass, coins and the only remains of a 2nd-century landing stage ever uncovered on the Cantabrian coast) support the idea. The museum also covers the Santa Elena necropolis (guided tours on Sundays at 11:00), the Irugurutzeta mines and the Roman baths. Closed on Mondays.

The Txingudi Bay marshes

Plaiaundi Ecological Park: 24 hectares of wetlands in the Bidasoa estuary, where up to 175 species of migratory birds stop over.

Irun’s old town

It centres on the church of Nuestra Señora del Juncal, built between 1508 and 1606, which combines Gothic and Renaissance features; declared a national monument (monumento nacional), it houses a Gothic statue of the Virgin of Juncal. Close by is the Santa Elena hermitage.

Other sights

  • Urdanibia Palace (1612), in Renaissance style
  • Monte San Marcial — hermitage and viewpoint over Txingudi Bay
  • Peñas de Aia (837 m) — an emblematic peak on the town’s skyline
  • Arbelaiz Palace
  • Pheasant Island — in the Bidasoa, a French–Spanish condominium steeped in diplomatic history

San Marcial fiestas and the Alarde

The San Marcial fiestas take place at the end of June. Every 30 June, the Alarde commemorates the victory of the people of Irun over French troops in 1522.

Getting there

  • By train: TGVs from Paris stop at Hendaye; Renfe and Euskotren link Irun with San Sebastián
  • By car: AP-8 from San Sebastián
  • By air: San Sebastián airport (Hondarribia)

1-day itinerary

  • Morning: Oiasso Museum and the Juncal church
  • Afternoon: Txingudi marshes (Plaiaundi park)
  • Late afternoon: stroll around the old town

Famous people linked to Irun

  • Luis Mariano — tenor born in Irun, the ‘prince of operetta’: he shot to fame in 1945 with Francis Lopez’s La Belle de Cadix (1.25 million records sold) and was at his peak in 1951–1952 with Le Chanteur de Mexico and Violettes impériales. He is buried in the cemetery at Arcangues, in Labourd.
  • Fermin Muguruza (born 1963 in Irun) — musician, co-founder with his brother Iñigo of Kortatu (1984–1988), a ska pioneer within the Basque radical rock scene, and later of Negu Gorriak; a hugely influential figure in Basque music.

My favourite photo

The Txingudi marshes at dawn — mist rising over the Bidasoa estuary.

Sources

Ongi etorri Irunera — Welcome to Irun.

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