Biarritz Travel Guide

City City in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

Biarritz attracts surfers to the Grande Plage and Côte des Basques, alongside Belle Époque villas, seafood eateries and thalassotherapy centres; it’s a place where surf culture meets seaside dining.

Costs

$120-$180 typical daily budget

Upmarket seaside prices for hotels and dining, with cheaper options off-season.

Safety

Generally safe for visitors

Safe overall; beach and tourist areas busy but well policed.

Best Time

June-September (beach and surf season)

Warmest months for beaches, surf and outdoor dining.

In This Guide

Why Visit Biarritz?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

33,188

Infrastructure & Convenience

Very tourist-friendly with good train links from Bayonne and walkable centre.

Popularity

Popular with surfers, upscale holidaymakers and European day-trippers.

Known For

surfing and surf schools, Grande Plage, thalassotherapy spas, Belle Époque architecture, seafood, casinos, lighthouse views, Basque culture, upscale resorts

Biarritz's Hôtel du Palais was originally built as Empress Eugénie's summer palace in the mid-19th century.

Why Visit Biarritz? #

Famous for surf and refined Basque flair, this Atlantic resort mixes beach culture with elegant Belle Époque architecture. Surfers flock to Côte des Basques and Grande Plage, while the Rocher de la Vierge provides dramatic coastal views. Local gastronomy emphasizes Basque influences - try gâteau basque and seafood tapas - and seasonal festivals plus chic cafés make for a lively, seaside cultural scene distinct from inland Biarritz alternatives.

Top Things to Do in Biarritz

All Attractions ›

Musée Bonnat-Helleu

Art museum in Bayonne housing Bonnat's fine art collection

Museum

Pheasant Island

Border island alternating Franco-Spanish sovereignty biannually

Island

Baztan, Navarre

Rural Navarre valley known for traditional Basque villages

Valley

Larrun

Basque coastal mountain with panoramic summit railway

Mountain

Kursaal Congress Centre and Auditorium

Conference and concert venue in San Sebastián, modernist design

Theater

Château d'Abbadia

19th-century neo-Gothic castle and scientific observatory

Castle

Cape Higuer

Coastal cape with lighthouse near Spain-France border

Cape

Mount Ulia

Coastal hill near San Sebastián with panoramic viewpoints

Mountain

Don't Miss

Rocher de la Vierge - Rocher de la Vierge walkway leads to a famous statue with ocean viewpoints.
Grande Plage - Grande Plage is central sandy beach surrounded by cafés and Belle Époque buildings.
Cité de l'Océan - Cité de l'Océan offers interactive exhibits about waves, surfing, and marine science.

Hidden Gems

Port des Pêcheurs - Port des Pêcheurs has small seafood restaurants and colorful boats.
Les Halles de Biarritz market - Les Halles market features local Basque produce and lively morning atmosphere.
Côte des Basques viewpoint - Côte des Basques is a surfers' vantage with dramatic cliffs and sunset views.

Day Trips

Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz - Short drives to Bayonne's cathedral, markets, and Saint-Jean-de-Luz's seaside streets.
San Sebastián, Spain - Cross into San Sebastián for pintxos, La Concha beach, and lively Old Town.

Best Time to Visit Biarritz #

Biarritz has mild oceanic weather with comfortable summers and wet winters. Visit June-September for surfing, beaches, and festivals; spring and autumn are quieter and equally charming.

Winter

December - February · 6-12°C (43-54°F)

Rainy, cool days but dramatic surf; calm city life, cheaper stays, and cozy seafood restaurants make winter attractive if you can handle damp weather.

Spring & Autumn

March - May & September - November · 10-20°C (50-68°F)

Quiet beaches and milder weather perfect for long walks, surf practice without big crowds, and sampling Basque cuisine in relaxed eateries.

Summer

June - August · 18-26°C (64-79°F)

Warm, busy summer with great surf conditions, lively terraces, and festivals; expect higher prices and crowded beaches but energetic coastal ambiance.

Best Time to Visit Biarritz #

Climate

Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1244 mm/year), wettest in November.

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustSeptember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

42°

Warmest Month

-7°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

5° – 12°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

126 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.2h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

5° – 13°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

105 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.3h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

7° – 15°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

95 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

60 Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

8° – 16°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

115 mm

Rainfall

4.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.1

UV Index

High

13.3h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

11° – 19°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

91 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.4

UV Index

High

14.5h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Cool

18°C

Temperature

14° – 22°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

66 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.7

UV Index

Very High

15.2h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

20°

Feels Like Mild

20°C

Temperature

16° – 24°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

60 mm

Rainfall

3.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.8

UV Index

Very High

14.9h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

17° – 25°

70%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

89 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.5

UV Index

Very High

13.8h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

14° – 23°

71%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

98 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.1

UV Index

High

12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

11° – 20°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

119 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

10.9h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (148 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

8° – 15°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

148 mm

Rainfall

3.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.5h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (132 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

6° – 13°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

132 mm

Rainfall

4.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.8h daylight

How to Get to Biarritz

Biarritz is served directly by Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne Airport (BIQ) and by rail at Gare de Biarritz, with frequent short connections to Bayonne. For regional travel use TER trains and the local Chronoplus bus network; the town itself is compact and pedestrian-friendly.

By Air

Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne Airport (BIQ): Biarritz airport is very close to the town (around 3-6 km). Taxis take 10-15 minutes to the centre; local buses and shuttles also serve the airport and nearby towns.

Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD): For a larger international choice you can fly to Bordeaux and continue by train or hire a car - rail and road connections to Biarritz take roughly 2-3 hours by public transport.

By Train & Bus

Train: Biarritz is served by Gare de Biarritz with TER services linking to Bayonne and longer-distance services to Bordeaux and Toulouse. The short rail hop to Bayonne takes about 10-20 minutes; longer journeys to Paris or Bordeaux vary by service and connections.

Bus: Local buses (Chronoplus network) and airport shuttles link the airport, town and surrounding beaches. Buses are affordable and useful for short hops around the Basque coast.

How to Get Around Biarritz #

Biarritz is compact and highly walkable, with main beaches, the casino and town centre reachable on foot. Chronoplus buses run through the area and taxis are available for late or off-peak travel. If you want to explore the Basque coast, a car helps, but the core of town is easy to manage without one.

Where to Stay in Biarritz #

Budget

Centre / Near Grande Plage - €30-90/night

Biarritz has a few seasonal hostels and several budget guesthouses; low-cost rooms fill quickly in summer and surf season.

Hostel listings (seasonal) - Dorms and cheap private rooms
Budget guesthouses - Affordable stays near town centre

Mid-Range

Grande Plage / Casino - €90-220/night

Mid-range hotels and charming boutique options cluster around the Grande Plage and casino area - convenient for beaches, markets, and restaurants.

Mercure Biarritz Centre Plaza - Central mid-range chain option
Comfort boutique hotels - Good balance of location and amenities

Luxury

Seafront / Palace Quarter - €220+/night

Biarritz's luxury hotels focus on seafront palaces and spa resorts - elegant rooms, high-end dining, and prime beach access.

Hôtel du Palais - Historic, high-end seafront palace
Sofitel Biarritz Le Miramar Thalassa - Luxury spa and seaside location

Where to Eat in Biarritz #

Surf-side Seafood & Basque Flavors

Biarritz mixes surf culture with Basque cuisine: fresh seafood on the port, market stalls and renowned pâtisseries for local desserts.

Chez Albert - Seafood and oysters on the port
Maison Adam (Biarritz) - Local pâtisserie, gâteau basque specialists
Les Halles de Biarritz - Market stalls with Basque produce

Casual Beach Eats

From beachside grills to pintxo bars, Biarritz offers relaxed seaside dining alongside Basque-inspired small plates and quality pastries.

Beachfront cafés and grills - Casual meals with sea views
Pintxo bars and tapas - Small plates and local wines
Chocolatiers and pastry shops - Artisan sweets and local cakes

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Biarritz's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza

Regional

Burger

French

Sandwich

Italian

Japanese

Thai

Crepe

Sushi

Tapas

Kebab

Seafood

Vietnamese

Fish

Salad

Mexican

Traditional

Mediterranean

Asian

Nightlife in Biarritz #

Biarritz has a lively evening scene for its size: cocktail bars, surf-culture pubs and a handful of clubs around the port and Cours de Verdun. Nightlife peaks in summer when beach bars and terraces fill up; expect a mix of locals, tourists and surfers.

Shopping in Biarritz #

Biarritz offers a mix of surf shops, boutique fashion stores and food markets in its centre. Rue Gambetta and nearby streets host many independent boutiques. Les Halles market is popular for local produce and Basque specialities during market hours.