Pierre Bona, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Biarritz

Surf, Style and Basque Flair

Biarritz lies on France’s Atlantic coast, known for wide sandy beaches and surfing waves. The town grew around a 19th-century resort popular with European royalty seeking sea air and relaxation. Today, it mixes seaside charm with Basque culture visible in food, language and architecture. Local markets sell fresh seafood while cafés line tree-lined streets. Nearby cliffs provide hiking routes with ocean views. Biarritz balances a laid-back vibe with easy access to both nature and city life, making it appealing for travelers who want variety without long travel times from major hubs.

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City in France

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 8.7

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	10

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and surf schools. Tourist information is often available in English, making it easy for non-French speakers to get around and enjoy the city.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Biarritz Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
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Read how our scores work

Excellent for surfing and Atlantic beaches. Ride famous waves, walk coastal promenades, relax on sandy beaches and enjoy seafood restaurants and seaside cafés.

Place score

8.3

Best at:

Sea

Surfing

Walkable

Beaches

Luxury

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

France – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is optional but appreciated in restaurants (5-10%) and for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, but restrictions apply in some cities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces but common in outdoor cafes.

Bastille Day (July)	Parades and fireworks occur nationwide.
Easter (March/April)	Cultural celebrations and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 112 (EU emergency), 15 (Ambulance), 17 (Police), 18 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Heetch
Other:	France offers diverse experiences, from art and culture to nature and cuisine. Be cautious in crowded areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Biarritz, France

🌤️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

🌦️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	July - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April - June, Oct.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Beach and swimming season runs roughly June to September; lifeguards on main beaches mainly July and August

Many restaurants, shops and hotels close or reduce hours from November to March

Don't miss

🏄‍♂️ Surf the legendary waves at Côte des Basques
🌅 Watch the sunset from the Rocher de la Vierge
🚶‍♀️ Stroll the elegant promenade along Grande Plage
🐠 Visit the Biarritz Aquarium and coastal museum
🍤 Enjoy local Basque cuisine in Les Halles Market
🏰 Tour the historic Hôtel du Palais and its gardens

You've been here?

Why travel to Biarritz?

Biarritz is the kind of place where you can start your day with a fresh croissant overlooking the Atlantic, watch surfers ride massive waves at Côte des Basques and then stroll past Belle Époque mansions or browse chic boutiques. The city’s food scene is legendary, from bustling markets to Michelin-starred restaurants and there’s always something happening – whether it’s a festival, a sunset on Grand Plage or a thalassotherapy spa session. It’s super walkable and full of character, but do expect crowds in summer and higher prices than elsewhere in the region. The weather can turn quickly, so pack for sun and showers. Still, Biarritz’s blend of Basque tradition and French elegance is hard to beat.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Descente du Port des Pêcheurs
2 Musée de la Mer
3 Phare de la Pointe Saint-Martin
4 Place Sainte-Eugénie
5 Plage de la Côte des Basques
6 Église Sainte-Eugénie
7 Hôtel du Palais

🎡Places for activities

1 Piscine Municipale
2 Casino Barrière de Biarritz
3 Aquarium de Biarritz

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Plage du Miramar
2 Plage de la Marbellla
3 Le Rooftop Grand Plage
4 Phare de la Pointe Saint-Martin
5 Rocher de la Vierge

🎈Events

Biarritz Surf Festival
Biarritz Piano Festival
Basque Festival
Fête de la Mer
Biarritz en Été music festival
Christmas Market
Les Casetas food festival
Biarritz Film Festival
Heritage Days
Biarritz Carnival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Walk Rocher de la Vierge footbridge for ocean panoramas.
Climb Phare de Biarritz lighthouse tower for sweeping Basque coast views.
Visit Aquarium Musée de la Mer next to fishing port for seal shows.
Stroll elegant Grande Plage beach promenade where Napoleon III built Hôtel du Palais.

How to travel to Biarritz

Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne Airport is just 10 minutes from the city center, with flights from major European cities. The train station connects to Bordeaux, Paris and Spain. Buses serve regional destinations and driving is easy via the A63 motorway.

Access summary

From Biarritz Airport (BIQ): Local bus or taxi, about 10–20 minutes.
From Bordeaux: Direct train or A63 motorway drive, roughly 2–2.5 hours.
From San Sebastián: Cross-border bus or car via A63/AP-8, around 1–1.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Biarritz

Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels like the Hôtel du Palais to boutique guesthouses and surf hostels. Book early in summer or during festivals. Many places offer ocean views and easy beach access, but prices can be high in peak season.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Le Windsor Biarritz

8.8

Hotel Le Cafe de Paris

9.3

Hotel Villa Koegui Biarritz

9.1

Kemaris

8.6

Campanile NATURE - Biarritz

7.2

Nemea Appart'hôtel Les Hauts de Milady

7.4

Residence Pierre & Vacances Premium Haguna

9.1

Hotel Florida Biarritz

8.2

Hotel Mercure Le President Biarritz Centre

8.9

Hotel Plaza Biarritz Plage - Handwritten Collection

9.2

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Biarritz

Biarritz is very walkable, with most sights, beaches and shops close together. Free shuttle buses run in summer and local buses connect to nearby towns. Taxis are available, but parking can be tricky near the center and beaches.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+0 %

Daily expenses in Biarritz are around 0% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£69	£153	£413
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£32	£71	£173
🍝 Food per day	£32	£73	£214
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£8	£27

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£25
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£16
🍟 Fast food combo	£9.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£10.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£6

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.25
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£16
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.50

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£8.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£23
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£13

Safety information overview

General safety

Biarritz is generally very safe, with low crime rates. Usual precautions apply, especially with valuables on crowded beaches and during busy festivals. The ocean can have strong currents — always heed local warnings.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with clinics and pharmacies throughout the city. Sunburn and jellyfish stings are the most common issues — bring sunscreen and check beach flags before swimming.

Accessibility

The city center and main beaches are accessible, but some areas have hills or cobblestones. Public transport and many hotels are adapted for reduced mobility, but check ahead for specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water is safe, clean and widely available. Refill your bottle at hotels or public fountains. Bottled water is also easy to find in shops and cafés.

Packing recommendations for Biarritz

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

🌞

Sun cream

🚰

Reusable water bottle

👔

Smart-casual outfit

for dining out

📱

Travel eSIM

🔌

Universal travel adaptor

type E

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Nearby recommended places

San Sebastián

Bordeaux

Pamplona

Lourdes

Basque Country

Occitanie

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Summary:	Cool, rainy and grey; stormy Atlantic swells
Temperature:	7 – 11 °C
Water temp.:	13 °C
Rain:	93 mm (Moderate rain nearly daily)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy

Summary:	Cool and rainy; big waves
Temperature:	6 – 11 °C
Water temp.:	12 °C
Rain:	65 mm (Steady, gentle rain)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy

Summary:	Mild, changeable, with frequent showers
Temperature:	8 – 14 °C
Water temp.:	13 °C
Rain:	61 mm (Steady, gentle rain)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy

Summary:	Mild and fresh; mix of sun and showers
Temperature:	10 – 16 °C
Water temp.:	14 °C
Rain:	56 mm (Steady, gentle rain)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Mild and increasingly sunny; sea still cold
Temperature:	12 – 18 °C
Water temp.:	16 °C
Rain:	78 mm (Moderate rain nearly daily)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists