Ultimate Guide: 25 Best Things to Do in Biarritz in 2024

What is Biarritz Known For?

Biarritz is known for its breathtaking beaches and impressive waves that make the town a surfer’s paradise, attracting surfers and beach lovers from all around the world.

Apart from its surf culture, Biarritz is also known for its luxurious and elegant vibe. Once a favored destination for European royalty and aristocrats, the town exudes Old World sophistication with its grand architecture, luxurious hotels, and upscale shops.

That said, the charming town is also known for its well-preserved Basque heritage, which you can celebrate through the city’s lively gastronomic scene and historic homes!

1. Ascend Phare de Biarritz

To start off, one must-visit place during your stay in Biarritz is Phare de Biarritz. This iconic landmark was built in 1834 and stands tall at 73 meters high!

Around the lighthouse, you’ll find lots of park benches, a big grassy area, and a few different viewing points. There’s even a food stand with lots of outdoor seating for those looking to grab a bite to eat while enjoying the view.

But, for those keen on catching the absolute best panoramic views of the beautiful Basque coastline, I highly recommend ascending to the top of the lighthouse! Unfortunately, this does mean you have to climb 258 winding steps, but at least it’s less than the number of steps you have to climb to reach the top of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris! Not by much…but every step counts right? 🥲

Also, you’ll be happy to know, the steps are fairly even — as in they don’t have varying heights). And, you have a good amount of space to let others pass by, unlike in the Pey Berland Tower in Bordeaux… which nearly made me want to cry LOL.

The one bit I will warn you about is the last 10 steps, which are akin to climbing a steep ladder. There are rails to hold onto, but I could see how it might be challenging for some.

Once you get to the top, you’ll be rewarded with incredibly gorgeous views. Seriously, I was a bit shocked to see how blue the water was and just how picturesque this charming coastal town looked!

Cost

In terms of tickets, it costs €5 to go up. You can pay with cash or a card, and the lighthouse is open every day. Just be mindful of the final entrance time, which is about 15 – 30 minutes before they close.

🏄‍♀️ NOTE: When I visited, I had to wait about 10 minutes before. This is because only 10 people are allowed up at a time and there’s no time limit for how long you can stay up top.

2. Relax at La Grande Plage

As mentioned at the beginning of this post, Biarritz is known for its idyllic beaches that invite visitors from all over. One of the two major beaches in Biarritz that stretches from Phare de Biarritz to just beyond Casino Barrière is La Grand Plage.

This is the beach that’s located on the Northern side of Biarritz, and in my opinion, the beach that’s more accessible from Biarritz’s downtown area. Here, you’ll find an abundance of people sunbathing, surfing (if there are surfable waves lol), and swimming. And, in contrast to the beaches in Nice, Biarritz has fluffy sand beaches! — Okay, there are some rocks toward the edge of the shoreline, but nothing to be really concerned about.

Oh, and if you get hungry, you’ll find lots of cafés and restaurants within a 5-minute walk. One of my favorite places that I ate at, Jack the Cockerel, actually overlooks La Grande Plage, so if you’re looking to dine with a view — definitely check out the menu there! Either way, be sure to spend at least some time at the beach because no trip to Biarritz is complete without a little rest and relaxation! 😌

3. Surf the Coast’s Famous Waves

Similar to above, for anyone who is a fan of surfing, a must-do activity while in Biarritz is to surf the city’s famous waves! Biarritz is often hailed as the “Surf Capital of France,” because the city experiences pretty consistent swells throughout the year.

As such, when there’s a good swell, it’s not uncommon to witness world-class surfers gliding across the waves in Biarritz, much like the surf culture in Tahiti or in sunny San Diego! And not say I’m a world-class surfer (because I’m definitely not 😂), but the opportunity to surf these amazing waves was the biggest draw for me and why I initially decided to visit Biarritz

Even beginners can enjoy the waves in Biarritz. You’ll find tons of rental surf shops around the city that usually rent everything from foam boards to short boards for about €20 – €30 euros a day.

Alternatively, if you’d rather learn from an experienced surfer, you can take some surf lessons. This is what I recommend for anyone who is just starting their surfing journey as they can get you started on the right foot!

✅ 🏄‍♀️ Check rates & availability for these fun surf lessons in Biarritz

4. Do Some Retail Therapy

Another fun thing to do is to explore all the different shops around Biarritz. Being a coastal city, a large portion of the shops are geared towards beach wear and sell beach-related items. But, you’ll also find plenty of other shops that sell nice clothing, hand-made goods, and items the region is known for, such as espadrilles.

And, if you’re in the market for some souvenirs or even if you just want to window shop, I recommend walking down Rue Mazagran. This street is lined with lots of small shops selling an array of goods.

I had fun picking out a few postcards to send back home! Just be sure to walk the entire length of the street and then go back to purchase whatever you want. This way you don’t end up like me, who discovered postcards at a place two doors down from where I first bought from were two-thirds the price I had paid and nicer!

5. Take a Tour From a Local

If you’re looking to get an insider’s look into Biarritz, I recommend taking a tour by a local. This is a great way to learn about the history and local culture, especially if you only have a day or two in the city! This is the tour I recommend and booked. It lasts about an hour, so you can easily fit it into your Biarritz itinerary!

✅ Check rates & availability for this lovely walking tour of Biarritz

6. Eat Delicious Seafood

With Biarritz being located along the Western coast of France, it likely comes as no surprise that the region specializes in a wide range of seafood dishes! There are quite different places spread across the city where you can find mouth-wateringly good seafood. And, just walking along the coastline, you’ll likely see at least a couple of boats out on the water!

Thus, if you’re a seafood lover or just keen on trying some of the local cuisine, you’ll definitely want to taste the local seafood. One restaurant that serves excellent French cuisine and has good seafood options is Le Café du Commerce! It’s located right in the heart of Biarritz and offers guests the option of sitting inside or on their outdoor terrace.

7. Day Trip to San Sebastian From Biarritz

Ok — I know this next one is not technically in Biarritz. But — If you have an extra day on your Biarritz itinerary and aren’t already passing through San Sebastian, a day trip to San Sebastian is a MUST! I know it sounds dramatic, but San Sebastian is an absolute delight and has so much to offer, especially if you are only spending a day in the city.

Just to give you some ideas… you can hike to Motako Gaztelua, which is a castle situated on the top of a relatively easy-to-hike mountain. From the top, you’ll be able to admire breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline from several observation decks.

Afterward, you can wander through the historic yet bustling winding streets of the Old Town. There you’ll find impressive cathedrals, plenty of souvenir shops, lively plazas, and my favorite part — mouthwatering Basque food!

Now I know that I mentioned that Biarritz is known for its Basque food. But, if I’m being honest — the Basque food in Spain is just in a league of its own. So, if nothing else, come to San Sebastian just to experience the magic of its gastronomic scene!

And for any fellow foodies out there, I cannot recommend enough doing a pintxos and wine food tour. Getting to indulge in tons of Basque food ended up being one of the major highlights of my Europe trip.

Plus, there’s honestly no better way to discover a new city than through its food… especially if that city happens to be famous for it! 😌

✅ 🍽 🍷 Check rates & availability for this delicious pintxos and wine food tour in San Sebastian

From Biarritz to San Sebastian

For those interested in doing a day trip to San Sebastian, it’s both easy and affordable. You can either drive there yourself if you have a rental car and are up for a little road trip.

Or, if you prefer to make use of the public transportation network, the cities are a mere 45-minute bus ride away from each other! Simply purchase your bus ticket by inputting your travel dates and then you’ll be all good to go!

🚨 PRO TIP: If it’s your first time using Omio, you can sign up here to receive $11 off your first booking! And if you’re curious about what Omio is and why I book through them… feel free to read my review of the platform, which I’ve been using for 5 years!

Once you have your ticket, I recommend downloading the Omio app just so you have easy access to your ticket(s).

Then on the day of, you’ll want to arrive at Biarritz airport a good 30 minutes before the departure time. The bus terminals are right outside the airport and are impossible to miss.

Just make sure to line up at the bus terminal that matches the bus company you booked with. For example, I booked with CONDA, so I lined up at the bus terminal that had a CONDA poster on the pole.

Approximately 10-15 minutes before departure time, the bus will show up, you’ll show the driver your ticket, and then you’ll be on your way!

✅ 🇪🇸 Check rates & availability of buses from Biarritz to San Sebastian
or
Click here if it’s your first time using Omio for a $11 discount!

8. Day Trip to Bilbao From Biarritz

An alternative day trip from Biarritz that’s very doable and costs as little as €11 or $12.50 USD is to Bilbao. For those who don’t know, Bilbao is recognized as the de facto capital of Basque Country!

This vibrant city is full of all kinds of colorful buildings, a unique blend of architectural styles, delicious food (hello pintxos!) and regional wines, and my personal favorite, the iconic Guggenheim Museum!

Similar to San Sebastian, whether you visiting for just a quick day trip or spending a few days in the city, Bilbao has plenty to offer visitors! So if you’re ready to foray into Spain, even if just for a few hours, Bilbao is another destination that is easy and affordable to visit!

✅ 🇪🇸 Check rates & availability for buses to Bilbao from Biarritz!

9. Spend Time at Plage de la Côte des Basques

If La Grande Plage is too crowded or maybe you’re looking for a change in scenery, the other major beach that you can spend time at in Biarritz is Plage de la Côte des Basques.

This beach is located on the Southern side of the city and is much more spacious than La Grande Plage. That said, to access Plage de la Côte des Basques, you’ll have to either walk down a lot of the steps or down a very long ramp, which can be inconvenient.

The good news is that Plage de la Côte des Basques is quite a scenic beach, especially around sunset. So in a way, the views compensate for the effort of getting to the beach! 😉

Around the beach, you’ll also find some food trucks, restaurants, and a couple of surf schools located along a promenade alongside the beach! And for any fellow surfers, this beach has lots of surf breaks that cater to surfers of all levels! Thus, if you don’t see anything to your liking at La Grande Plage or want to test the waters somewhere else, this is your second option!

10. Swim at Plage de Port Vieux

The third beach that’s easily accessible from Biarritz is Plage de Port Vieux. Compared to La Grande Plage and Plage de la Côte des Basques, this beach is much smaller. When you first see it, you’ll notice the rocky surroundings. Since the beach is technically located in a cove, the waters here are protected from high winds and rough waters.

As such, if you’re traveling with little ones or simply want to swim in calmer waters, this is a great beach to hit up. Just expect a good amount of people because the beach is very popular amongst locals!

And just in case any surfers were wondering, this beach does not permit surfing — so you’ll want to head to one of the other beaches.

☀️ DON’T FORGET… to pack sunscreen! This is the travel-sized bottle of sunscreen I always travel with 🙂 And I recommend bringing a microfiber towel too since they are super compact, dry quickly, and easy to travel with!
** (I suggest a Large or XL as I’m 5’0″ and have a medium-sized one) **

14. Walk Around Le Port des Pêcheurs

Another fun and quaint area to wander around is Le Port des Pêcheurs or Biarritz’s fishing port. Around here, you can find an array of restaurants and food stalls serving excellent seafood, pintxos, and drinks.

Directly across from the bay, you’ll be able to see the most adorable “crampottes,” which are local fishermen’s houses!

And if you’re a morning person or happen to be out and about in the wee hours of the morning, you can come here and see the fishermen returning from their boats! I was fortunate enough to be at the right spot at the right time and go to see them in action — so that was a neat little glimpse into the local culture.

But, if you aren’t a morning person, you’ll be able to see all the little boats docked in the harbor. Either way, I definitely recommend walking through here as it’s a cute scenic spot that’s often filled with lots of locals and tourists!

PRO TIP: If you want to dine at one of the restaurants here, make sure to get there before 7 PM to avoid having to wait in long lines 🙂

15. Enjoy the View at Cloche du Plateau de l’Atalaye

A few minutes walk from Le Port des Pêcheurs is Cloche du Plateau de l’Atalaye, which is another scenic spot worth checking out. From it, you’ll be able to get a pretty awesome view of the coast and see a rock formation kind of spiral out to another rock platform further out in the ocean. There are also several benches if you’re looking to sit back and relax as you listen to the ocean waves crash.

16. Watch the Sunset at Rocher de la Vierge

If you keep walking South (to the left) from Cloche du Plateau de l’Atalaye, you’ll reach one of Biarritz’s most recognizable landmarks, Rocher de la Vierge. This is a rock formation that is known for having a statue of the Virgin Mary perched atop.

Again, from this scenic spot, visitors will be able to enjoy picturesque views of the Basque coastline and watch as the waves crash along the scattered rock formations. Also, make sure to actually walk across the bridge and go through the little tunnel! On the far side, there’s plenty of seating and some tower viewers.

And if you time your visit with sunset, I would highly recommend it! I happened to be here during sunset and it was absolutely gorgeous. Just expect some crowds because everyone understandably loves a good sunset show!

17. Go to the Biarritz Historical Museum

For anyone interested in learning about the history of Biarritz, consider visiting the Biarritz Historical Museum. It covers a little bit of the 1000+ years of history of the city and its transformation from a small fishing village into a place with imperial palaces and influential leaders.

Also, unlike most museums, the Biarritz Historical Museum is housed in a former Anglican church, which certainly adds an extra element of historical importance. As such, this museum is admittedly on the smaller side, but you’ll find a good amount of historical artifacts that have been donated by prominent families in Biarritz.

🚨 NOTE: There are a limited number of displays in English. So if you don’t speak French, the museum might not be worth visiting if you’re someone who values being able to read all the informational signs.

A lesser-known tourist attraction is La Chapelle Impériale, which dates back to 1865. It was originally constructed as a place of worship for Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie and is dedicated to Notre Dame of Guadalupe.

Today, the church is a historic monument within Biarritz and is open to visitors at certain times during the year. For example, the church is known to hold mass exactly 4 times throughout the year:

• January 9 — the death of Napoleon III
• June 1 — the death of Napoleon III & Empress Eugénie’s only child
• July 11 — the death of Empress Eugénie
• December 12 — feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The only other way to view the inside is by going on a tour, which costs €6. You can book your ticket to tour the inside here. But, even if you can’t book a tour, you can pass by to admire the architecture. On the outside, you can see the church’s distinct Hispanic-Moorish style architecture that’s mixed with some Romanesque-Byzantine features.

19. See Église Orthodoxe de Biarritz

Another smaller church that you can check out (when reconstruction is complete because it so desperately needs a little tender love and care…) is Église Orthodoxe de Biarritz.

This church, which is located right across the street from Hôtel du Palais, was the third Orthodox church to appear in France… after the Orthodox churches in Nice and Paris.

It was founded in 1892 to support the Russian aristocracy that used to live in France or visit Biarritz for its favorable weather. Today, the church still serves as a place of worship for the faithful.

21. Try Local Food at Halles de Biarritz

It’s no secret that France is world-renowned for its food scene. I mean, I’ve certainly done my fair share of delicious food tours and wine tours across France! 🤠 But, for those keen on delving into the local food scene, perhaps doing a bit of grocery shopping, head over to Halles de Biarritz.

This is a covered food market where you’ll find vendors selling everything from fresh produce, seafood, cheeses, jams, meats, and desserts. And, in front of the market, there are usually some pop-up tents with other vendors selling clothing items, jewelry, and other souvenirs.

The market is open every day from 7:30 AM – 2 PM. However, you’ll want to get there by 1:30 PM since vendors tend to begin closing shop around there.

22. Appreciate Asian Art in Musée Asiatica

One attraction that I personally believe is a bit underrated is the Musée Asiatica, which is dedicated to Asian art dating back over a thousand years!

Within this museum, you’ll find hundreds of art pieces and artifacts from various countries across Asia, including pieces from India, Tibet, Nepal & China. These include everything from paintings and jades ranging from several time periods to tapestries, carvings, and coins.

Considering the lack of an Asian community in the area, it’s honestly impressive the size of the collection and the number of exhibits. Plus, to help you understand what you’re seeing, they lend visitors a detailed booklet that explains the various exhibits and works. Or, if you prefer, they also have audio guides. So, if you have even the slightest interest in Asian art, I would recommend stopping by here!

23. Visit the Biarritz Aquarium

If you happen to be traveling with little ones or merely want to see some adorable sea creatures up close and personal, you can spend a couple of hours at the Biarritz Aquarium. It’s located right in front of the Rocher de la Vierge and contains 4 levels with various exhibits and rooms to explore.

Some of the sea creatures you can expect to see include sharks, octopuses, an assortment of fish, and lots of plant and coral species found around the Bay of Biscay!

24. Spot Villa Belza

Just down the road from the Biarritz Aquarium is Villa Belza. This is perhaps one of the most dreamy buildings in Biarritz as it sits on a cliff that overlooks the ocean and offers guests views of both Plage de la Côte des Basques and Plage de Port Vieux.

The Neo-Medieval mansion was originally built at the end of the 19th century and has served multiple functions over the years. For instance, it has been used as a filming location in movies, the venue of a Russian restaurant, and an inn. Today, however, Villa Belza functions as a luxury apartment complex for locals, so tourists will only be able to admire the exterior.

25. Day Trip to Saint Jean de Luz

Last but not least, if you need a change of pace or want to discover more of the Basque region, you can day trip to Saint Jean de Luz.

This quaint yet very charming town is only 20 minutes by regional train and car or about an hour and 20 minutes away via the regional bus network (which I’ll talk about in a later section).

Once there, you can spend the day wandering the cobblestone streets, eating the delicious local food, exploring the plazas and markets, and of course, relaxing at the beach!

Where to Stay in Biarritz

In terms of places to stay, here are my top recommendations for housing accommodations in Biarritz. These are based on places I’ve stayed at and the research I did both prior to my trip and while visiting!

Each place, save for the surf hostel, is centrally located within easy walking distance of the beach! And honestly, even though the hostel is about a 25-minute walk away, it was definitely manageable and not bad at all 🤠

Low-Cost Stay

• Surf Hostel Biarritz — quaint but clean and comfy hostel I loved! | ⭐️ 9.7 / 10
• Hôtel Palmito — 3-star hotel near beach w/ continental breakfast | ⭐️ 8.8 / 10

Mid-Range Stay

• Hôtel Littéraire Jules Verne — a delightful 4-star hotel that I enjoyed! | ⭐️ 8.5 / 10
  • Check out my review of this hotel here
• Hôtel Le Garage Biarritz — excellent 4-star hotel near the beach | ⭐️ 9.6 / 10

Fancy Stays

• Regina Experimental Biarritz — 5-star beach hotel with spa & pool | ⭐️ 9 / 10
• Hôtel du Palais Biarritz — most luxurious 5-star hotel w/ 2 pools & spa | ⭐️ 9.1 / 10
  • This used to be the summer home of Empress Eugènie and several famous people have stayed here including Coco Chanel & Frank Sinatra!

Feel free to click these buttons to head to your favorite booking platform and see additional housing options there.

Alternatively, feel free to use the interactive map below to view additional housing options. You can input your travel dates and the number of people in your party to see more accurate pricing 🙂

How to Get to Biarritz

There are several ways to get to Biarritz depending on where you’re coming from, but in general, the three main ways are by car, by train, or by plane.

By Car

For those who may be doing a road trip across Europe, Biarritz is super driver-friendly and another possible option for getting into the city.

By Train

The next way you can travel to Biarritz is via the train. This is the option that I personally went with since it was both an affordable option and super easy.

By Plane

Now, if you’re already in Europe or simply prefer flying over trains, buses, and cars, it is possible to fly into Biarritz.

There is a small regional airport (Biarritz Airport) that has a limited range of flights from places around Europe. Some of the locations you can fly directly into Biarritz from include Dublin, London, Paris, Marseille, Nice, Geneva, Brussels, Luxembourg City, and about 20 other locations!

So there are options, it just likely comes at an increased price point in comparison to transport via car or train!

✅ Explore flight options into Biarritz on Skyscanner

How to Get Around Biarritz

Once you arrive in Biarritz, there are two main modes of transportation for getting around the city.

The first is simply walking anywhere and everywhere you need to go. Biarritz is a very walkable city and clean city. Thus, you can likely expect to spend very little on public transportation if you are located within walking distance of downtown.

Even when I was staying at the Biarritz Surf Hostel, which is located about 25 minutes from downtown Biarritz, I opted to walk everywhere.

That said, I will say the city isn’t exactly flat. There are some gradually sloping streets, but I wouldn’t say it’s anything that would leave you gasping for air. It’s more of an “it might take you a few extra minutes to walk up it compared to if it were perfectly flat” vibe.

And, if you do have limited mobility or plan on traveling to and from places further away (i.e. the regional Biarritz airport), there’s a great bus network. It’s called “Chronoplus” and there’s an app you can download.

Personally, I didn’t download the app since I only used the bus to go from Gare de Biarritz (the Biarritz Train Station) to the downtown area of Biarritz. One ride costs €1.2 and there are plenty of different fare options depending on your needs.

As for buying tickets, there are machines around the downtown Biarritz area, or you can buy a bus ticket in cash on the bus!

Overall though, I think getting around Biarritz is pretty easy as the town is small, and the majority of the best things to do are within walking distance of one another!

Best Restaurants in Biarritz

Looking to grab a bite to eat and in need of some recommendations? Don’t worry! I got you covered as I ate about 9 different places around town during my stay!

But since I don’t wanna information overload yah, here are my top 3 spots that I recommend checking out! You can click the name to see their location on Google Maps!

• Eden Rock Cafe: A super trendy spot that overlooks Plage du Port Vieux. There’s only outdoor seating and they don’t take reservations, so you might have to wait a bit. Also, I found the food to be a bit expensive, but it was still worth it for the views! 😅

• Jack the Cockeral: Another popular spot with both indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks La Grande Plage! They have a big menu with lots of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the prices are pretty fair in my opinion!

• Le Georges: A brasserie that’s located along the main avenue in Biarritz. I ate dinner here and really enjoyed being able to people-watch with all the outdoor seating available.
  
  Also, both the food and server were fantastic! 10/10 recommend the Patatas Bravas and Camembert Rôti, Miel & Romarin. My friend and I were in absolute heaven eating these starters and almost forgot to order a main course lol.

Wrap-Up: 25 Best Things to Do in Biarritz (2024)

All in all, whether you only have a day in Biarritz or are looking to stay a few days for a relaxing getaway, Biarritz has plenty of things to do. Whether it be picturesque beaches and world-famous waves or fun museums, beautiful churches, and historical landmarks.

Oh, and we can’t forget the tasty Basque food! Speaking of which, if you’re curious about what else the Basque region has to offer, Biarritz is centrally located such that you can easily day trip to places like beautiful San Sebastian or lovely Bilbao, Spain!

Regardless of how you choose to spend your time in Biarritz, I hope this post has helped plan your ideal Biarritz itinerary and that you love the city as much as I did!