How to Perfectly Spend 2 Days in Biarritz in 2024

Biarritz is a charming seaside destination nestled on the picturesque southwestern coast of France. This hidden gem beckons travelers with its beautiful beaches, incredible surf, and laid-back atmosphere. If you find yourself planning a getaway to this coastal town and want to make the most of your time, here’s my ultimate guide for how to perfectly spend 2 days in Biarritz!

2 Days in Biarritz: Day 1

Before I jump into the details of the itinerary, let me just say I’ve grouped things based on proximity. This will hopefully help you save a bit of time and energy while navigating. That said, you can easily mix and match my suggestions as this coastal town is relatively small and quite walkable!

1. Walking Tour of Biarritz

For the first day, I recommend immersing yourself in the heart of the city and delving into its rich history. I’m not gonna lie, this is pretty hard to do on your own. There are hardly any signs explaining the significance of even their biggest landmarks and the city has only a few museums. So, if you want to understand the city, both from a historical and personal perspective, I recommend going on a leisurely walking tour of Biarritz with a local.

They often point out the hidden gems that you would unknowingly walk right past and help you understand the local culture. Plus, I like getting the inside scoop on the best places to eat… 😋 Below is the tour that I recommend checking out because it offers great value for the price and the team is awesome!

✅ 🚶‍♀️Check rates & availability for this excellent and affordable 1.5-hour walking tour of Biarritz.

🚶‍♀️Alternative Option: If you want a more exclusive and private experience, there is a highly-rated private walking tour available.

2. Climb Phare de Biarritz

Now, if you decide to skip the walking tour, a great place to start your day is at Phare de Biarritz. This lighthouse is a symbol of Biarritz and has stood tall since 1834. Depending on what time you arrive, you can purchase a ticket to climb to the top of the lighthouse. Tickets are only €5 and let me tell you, it’s 100% worth every cent. The panoramic views from the top of the lighthouse are unbeatable. And if you visit on a sunny day, you can look up and down the coast for miles!

Truly, this is something you won’t want to miss during your time in Biarritz. Just be prepared to climb nearly 260 steps to reach the top. Oh and a little heads up, the last few steps are akin to climbing a steep and narrow ladder. But, there are rails you can hold onto so you don’t fall.

3. Enjoy La Grande Plage

After getting a bird’s eye view of the city, make your way back to the city toward La Grande Plage. After all, no trip to Biarritz is complete without soaking up the beauty of its golden beaches and warm waters. You’ll know you’re close when you pass the sprawling estate of the 5-star hotel, Hôtel Du Palais Biarritz! Seriously, this hotel can only be described as opulent and palatial, which makes sense since stars such as Coco Chanel and Frank Sinatra have stayed there.

Anyway, once you pass the driveway to the front of this hotel, you’ll see the walkway that leads to La Grande Plage. This is the main beach in Biarritz and is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and people-watching. You can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas if you want to relax in comfort or just lay down on a towel. And most days, you can also catch some surfers riding the waves as Biarritz is known as one of the best surfing spots in Europe.

Speaking of surfing, if you fancy learning to surf (10/10 recommend – but I am a bit biased 😅) Biarritz is a fun place to do it. There are tons of surfboard rental shops in the area. It usually costs €20 – €25 to rent a foam surfboard for the day. And if you’re a complete beginner, you can opt for some private surf lessons.

✅ 🏄‍♀️ Check rates & availability of surf lessons in Biarritz here!

4. Browse the Local Shops

After enjoying some fun at the beach, I recommend browsing the local shops and doing a little souvenir shopping. The main shopping street with smaller vendors is called Rue Mazagran. I recommend taking the scenic route from La Grande Plage to get there.

You can go toward Casino Barrière and walk up the winding path with lots of flowerbeds. This will lead to Bellevue Panorama, which sits on a hill and offers lovely panoramic views of the coastline and iconic lighthouse! Plus, it makes a pretty good photo opportunity. 📸

From there, the quaint shopping street is just a short 5-minute walk away. Here, you’ll find lots of local shops selling postcards, fabrics, sun hats, and traditional espadrilles. I picked up about 8 postcards to send to friends and family back home because they were so pretty.

5. Sunset at Sainte Eugenie Church of Biarritz

To round out the first day of this 2 days in Biarritz itinerary, I recommend visiting the Sainte Eugenie Church. This mesmerizing Catholic church is located right by the sea and is easily the most impressive church in all of Biarritz with its stunning Neo-Gothic architecture and intricate stained glass windows. As long as mass or construction isn’t taking place, visitors are welcome to walk around inside, and it’s free to do so! The plaza that Sainte Eugenie Church is located within also happens to be a delightful spot to catch the sunset.

I ate my dinner at a restaurant within the plaza, and it was one of the most memorable meals I had throughout my 7-week trip in Europe. Why? Because I got to witness the sky turn into a magnificent canvas of pastel colors with the church right in front of me.

Yah girl even turned it into an Instagram post because the entire scene was so unbelievably spectacular. Unfortunately, the restaurant I ate at is now closed, otherwise, I’d recommend it. But, the good news is that you can dine at many other restaurants nearby. Or, grab an ice cream at Glace a Biarritz, which serves the best ice cream in the entire city!

2 Days in Biarritz: Day 2

Alrighty, for day 2 in Biarritz, I’ve included a couple of options. You can stay in Biarritz and have a super chill day with my recommendations below. Or, if you’re looking for a change of pace, you can opt for a day trip outside of the city. Below, I’ll go into detail about my itinerary if you decide to stay in the city. And in the following section, I’ll explain how you can day trip to two awesome cities from Biarritz. Feel free to click here to jump to the day trip section if that interests you most!

6. Celebrating the Local Basque Food

To begin day 2 in Biarritz, I recommend indulging in all things Basque food! The region is famous for its delicious cuisine and what better way to try it all than with a local food tour?! No, but seriously, one thing I always try to do in every city I visit is to partake in an experience unique to that destination.

For example, in Switzerland, I went paragliding over the Swiss Alps (technically twice 🤠). Yes, it was extremely expensive. But, I firmly believe these incredible and memorable travel experiences are what make the hassle of traveling worth it. So, for Biarritz, if you have the time and resources and want to celebrate the region, I highly recommend doing a food tour. And the Biarritz Food Tour Gastronomique is a great option.

The tour takes place solely in Biarritz, is led by two local experts, and allows you to taste 10 different Basque specialties! Not to mention, the tour doubles as a sightseeing tour, so you’ll get to sample the best local food and learn about Biarritz’s history and culture.

✅ 🍽️ Check rates & availability for this fun Biarritz food tour

Alternative Option: For a more intimate and comprehensive food tour that takes you to several nearby villages to sample their foods as well, check out this awesome private Basque food tour!

7. Wander Through Les Halles

Now, if you aren’t up for the food tour, a must-visit spot that you should still visit is Les Halles. It’s a lively indoor market filled with fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and other traditional Basque food. It’s a feast for both your eyes and stomach! You can also find some great souvenirs here to take back home.

8. Relax at Plage de Port Vieux

After feasting on all that delicious Basque food, it’s time to relax and enjoy the idyllic scenery at Plage de Port Vieux. This smaller beach is tucked away between cliffs, giving it a more secluded feel compared to the busier beaches in Biarritz. Its calmer waves also make it much more family-friendly for anyone traveling with little ones.

The beach is a great spot to lay out a towel, take a dip in the calm waters, or watch the world go by. There are also some pretty cool murals on the walls nearby, which are fun to look at. And if you’re feeling adventurous, there is a jumping-in point on the rocks. It’s only open when there’s high tide, so you’ll want to confirm it’s open.

9. Grab a Bite at Eden Rock Cafe

If you’re looking to grab a small bite to eat, I recommend the Eden Rock Cafe. This cute little cafe overlooks Plage de Port Vieux, so you’ll likely see it perched on the rocks from the beach. They offer an array of food and drink options that you can enjoy with a nice view of the ocean, making it a great spot for a quick snack or drink. Just beware the prices are definitely on the more expensive side. And, if you want something more substantial, I would opt to go somewhere else.

10. Sunset at Plage De La Côte Des Basques

For the final stop of my 2 days in Biarritz itinerary, it’s time to explore the other main beach in Biarritz (if you haven’t already)! Plage De La Côte Des Basques is a popular spot for surfers of all levels. For instance, if you’re a beginner, plenty of surf schools in the area offer lessons and rentals.

Or, as I mentioned earlier, you can opt for private surf lessons if you’d like more personalized instruction. And if you’re already an experienced surfer, this beach has several surf breaks to choose from. Just check the daily surf report or scout the area ahead of time to ensure renting a board is worth it for you! Regardless of surfing, be sure to end your trip on a high by basking in the glow of the sunset!

Optional: 3 Days in Biarritz

Now, if you decide to spend an extra day in Biarritz or are simply looking to switch things up a bit, here are a couple of different day trip options from Biarritz!

11. Day Trip to San Sebastian

The most popular and probably one of the easiest day trips to do is to San Sebastián. This vibrant city is located less than an hour away from Biarritz by bus and is a must-visit destination for foodies and beach lovers.
And while the food (especially the seafood) in Biarritz is excellent, the culinary scene in San Sebastián is S-tier. Literally, some of the best restaurants in the world are located here. And the best part? It’s so affordable for what you get! 🥹 So treat yourself to some amazing food, like burnt Basque Cake, which is *chef’s kiss*!

Afterward, relax and soak up the sun at Playa de la Concha. Or, for sweeping views of the bay, I recommend hiking up to Monte Urgull.

12. Day Trip to Bilbao

Another popular day trip from Biarritz is Bilbao, which is located about 2.5 hours away by bus. This vibrant city is known for its impressive Guggenheim Museum, which displays an ever-changing collection of modern and contemporary art.

Outside of visually fascinating architecture and artwork, Bilbao has so much to offer. For example, I recommend walking around the lively Old Town, visiting the historic Plaza Nueva, and stopping by the Mercado de la Ribera for some delicious local food. Alternatively, for insane aerial views of the surrounding mountains and city, take a funicular ride up Mount Artxanda! I promise the view is mighty fine from the top. 😌

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Ultimately, no matter which day trip you choose, you’ll get to experience more of the Basque culture and see different sides of this beautiful region.

Visiting Biarritz: FAQs

Why Is Biarritz Popular?

Biarritz is popular for a couple of reasons. First, it’s popular within the surfing community because it has almost year-round access to some of the best surf available in France. Secondly, Biarritz is home to stunning beaches and a laid-back atmosphere. As a result, the town is a popular vacation destination for the wealthy. And unlike Nice or Marseille, Biarritz is cheaper and feels much more intimate. There are fewer crowds, and it has a more off-the-beaten-path vibe. You don’t get the impression that the city is heavily catering to tourists. So, in a sense, Biarritz is popular because it retains that alluring and authentic French charm.

Is There Much to Do in Biarritz?

While Biarritz certainly does not offer as many attractions as Paris, Nice, or even Bordeaux, there’s a fair amount of things to see and do in Biarritz. You can comfortably find plenty of things to keep you busy for 2-3 days without getting bored. This makes it the perfect place if you want to see everything at a leisurely pace, without feeling like you’re missing out if you aren’t constantly on the go.

Do They Speak English in Biarritz?

For the most part, a lot of the locals in Biarritz have some basic level of English. I had zero problems communicating with the staff at both my hostel and my hotel. There was always at least one completely fluent staff member. Only occasionally I encountered locals who spoke next to zero English and had to rely on my limited French. If this happens and you don’t speak any French, just remember to be patient and try your best! Worst case, Google Translate works wonders! 😉

Is Biarritz a Party Town?

In my opinion, Biarritz is not a party town. Typically, when people think of party towns and cities, the first few places that come to mind are Paris, Barcelona, Prague, and Monaco. All of these places have a pretty vibrant nightlife and youthful atmosphere. That said, this doesn’t mean there are no parties or clubs to visit in Biarritz. Friends that I made in Biarritz partied every night and stayed at the clubs until the wee hours of the morning. So, while Biarritz is likely not a major party town, there are still places to go if you want to meet others and dance the night away!

Is It Better to Stay in Biarritz or San Sebastian?

If you’re torn between spending 2 days in Biarritz or staying in San Sebastian, I suggest looking at your interests. What type of environment do you want to be in? Biarritz has a more refined and sophisticated atmosphere that caters well to older couples or those looking for a more relaxing getaway. The city also provides you with your choice of excellent surf breaks, which makes Biarritz the better choice for surfers.

Contrastingly, if you’re a massive foodie who wants access to amazing and affordable Basque food, San Sebastian is probably better. And speaking from personal experience, the atmosphere is much more lively in San Sebastian, and you’ll find the streets to generally be more crowded than in Biarritz.

The Wrap-Up: Spending 2 Days in Biarritz

Overall, Biarritz is a charming and picturesque city that offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and culture. From marveling at the scenic views and indulging in delicious local food to relaxing at gorgeous beaches and exploring other nearby Basque cities, Biarritz has something for everyone.

So whether you decide to spend 2 days in Biarritz or a week in the city, I hope you’ll love this Basque gem as much as I did! Because truly, this coastal town is a hidden gem that can feel like a breath of fresh air in your France itinerary!