Caves of Sara

30 kilometres from Biarritz, 20 kilometres from Saint-Jean-de-Luz and 10 kilometres from the train to Larrun, the caves of Sara, also known by the name of Lezea, are located on Mount Axturia, in Sara, a village that is classified as one of the most beautiful in the region.

Mount Atxuria has a geological peculiarity. At its summit it has a clayey layer that results in less filtration of rainwater. For this reason, Sara's caves are rather dry and have an atypical geography. Its spaces are very wide and it has a porch that is considered to be one of the largest in the area.

Cave-home

Over the millennia, Sara's caves have provided shelter for humans. But it is also a very varied fauna that has found refuge within their walls. More than 10,000 years ago, bears used to spend their hibernation season inside them.

Today, Lezea is a reservoir for numerous species of bats and has therefore been listed as a site of international interest.

Inside

Visitors can take a guided tour of the cave that lasts approximately 45 minutes. The tour, which is 900 metres long, is insured and the guide services are available in French, Spanish, Basque and English.

In these spaces, technology has been harnessed to offer an optimised experience with the use of LED lamps, preserving the delicate ecosystem inside the cave.

The guided tour is dedicated to the memory of José Miguel de Barandiaran, who was one of the most famous anthropologists of his time. For 15 years he lived as a refugee in Sara, where he carried out all his studies.

Other attractions

Once the tour of the Lezea caves is over, you can visit the museum and the megalithic park, both of which are designed to complement the experience of visiting the ancient caves.

In the museum you can observe the evolution of human beings from prehistoric times to the present day. A series of relics from various periods accompany the tour.

There is also useful information on how to recognise the different species of bats that populate the interior of Sara's caves.

The megalithic park is an open-air space with a reconstitution of different monuments created by humans from 2800 BC to the Iron Age.

Visitors can learn more about these monuments through explanatory panels. Special attention is paid to the practice of some of the rituals performed in ancient times, such as cremation and burial.

Of general interest

Animals and prams are not allowed in Sara's caves. Although actions have been taken such as the installation of a walkway to facilitate access to the caves for people with reduced mobility, the caves are a natural feature with slopes that make it impossible to access all areas.

Picnic tables, a bar and a souvenir shop are available for visitors. There are also hiking trails that pass by Sara's caves.