Biarritz 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.
Biarritz at a Glance#
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.
France’s chic Basque beach resort - a belle-époque seaside town on the Atlantic, once an imperial playground, now Europe’s surfing capital, with grand villas above rolling waves.
Why go / don’t miss: the Grande Plage and surf breaks, the belle-époque villas and casino, the Rocher de la Vierge rock and coastal path, the Aquarium, and the Basque culture and cuisine.
Neighborhoods: the beachfront / Grande Plage for the resort core; and the old port and Les Halles market.
Getting around: the compact centre is walkable; buses and a car for the wider Basque coast.
When to go: summer for surf and beach; spring and autumn are mild and quieter.
Where to stay: near the Grande Plage for the seafront.
Dining: Basque fare - seafood, piperade, gâteau basque, and the market at Les Halles.
Local tips: it’s the surf capital of Europe, elegant and Basque, and a base for Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Bayonne and San Sebastián.
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.
Best Things to Do in Biarritz#
Biarritz Bucket List#
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 5° - 12° | 6° | 126 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| February | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 7° | 105 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.3h |
| March | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 95 mm | overcast | 81% | 4.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 115 mm | overcast | 80% | 4.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.3h |
| May | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 91 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.5h |
| June | Very Good | 14° - 22° | 18° | 66 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| July | Very Good | 16° - 24° | 20° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 3.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.9h |
| August | Very Good | 17° - 25° | 21° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 3.3 m/s | 1.5 very high | 13.8h |
| September | Very Good | 14° - 23° | 19° | 98 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 3.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 11° - 20° | 16° | 119 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.9h |
| November | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 11° | 148 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| December | Poor | 6° - 13° | 7° | 132 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
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.
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.
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 best reached via BIQ or by regional train. Within town, the mix of TER trains for regional hops and local buses, plus walking for the centre and promenade, covers most visitor needs.
- TER trains (€2-€40 (typical regional range)) - Gare de Biarritz connects the town with Bayonne, Bordeaux and other regional destinations. Trains are frequent for short hops (Biarritz↔Bayonne) and are the fastest public choice for reaching other cities along the coast.
- Local buses (Chronoplus) (€1.50-€3) - Chronoplus and other local bus services cover the Biarritz-Bayonne-Anglet area and link beaches, the airport and the town centre. Buses are inexpensive and frequent during the season but can reduce frequency in winter.
- Taxis (€10-€30) - Taxis are convenient for door-to-door transfers from BIQ or late-night travel; short trips into town are quick and widely available. Fares are reasonable for short distances but can rise for longer regional transfers.
- Car hire (€35-€90/day (typical)) - Car rental is handy for exploring the Basque coastline and inland villages. Parking in Biarritz central areas can be limited during peak season, but a car gives flexibility to reach quieter beaches.
- Surf shuttles & bike hire (€8-€30/day) - For beach-hopping and surf spots, seasonal surf shuttles and bike rentals are common. Biking is pleasant along dedicated coastal paths and between nearby beaches - hire locally for half-day or full-day options.
- Walking - Biarritz’s compact waterfront, Grande Plage and promenade are best explored on foot - short distances and scenic coastal paths make walking an excellent option.
Where to Stay in Biarritz#
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
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
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#
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
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.
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.
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.
