Biarritz, on France’s Basque coast, features a mild oceanic climate with warm summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall. The city enjoys over 1,900 hours of sunshine annually, moderate humidity, and refreshing Atlantic breezes. With long summer days, lively beaches, and a dynamic cultural scene, Biarritz is a year-round destination for surfers, foodies, and outdoor explorers.
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.
Biarritz’s climate is shaped by its Atlantic location and the Bay of Biscay, resulting in four distinct seasons and significant rainfall. Summers (June–August) are warm and pleasant, with average highs of 23–25°C and lows of 15–17°C. July and August are the sunniest and driest months, with up to 8 hours of sunshine daily and sea temperatures reaching 21–22°C – ideal for swimming and surfing. Rainfall is lower in summer, with July seeing just 70–90 mm over 9–12 days, but brief showers can occur.
Winters (December–February) are mild and wet, with highs of 11–13°C and lows of 5–7°C. January is the coolest month, and rainfall peaks in November and December, with up to 150–185 mm over 13–16 days. Snow is rare but possible. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with mild to warm temperatures (14–22°C), frequent showers, and lush landscapes. Autumn is particularly wet, while spring brings blooming gardens and longer days. Humidity is high year-round, ranging from 72% to 81%, and winds are generally gentle, though storms can bring brisk breezes. Biarritz receives about 1,450–1,475 mm of precipitation annually and enjoys 1,900–2,000 hours of sunshine per year, supporting lush parks and vibrant local life.
| Average climate data for Biarritz, France | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 11 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 14 | 12 | 24 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 7 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 93 | 65 | 61 | 56 | 78 | 68 | 49 | 49 | 40 | 57 | 119 | 61 | 796 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 17 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 14 | 189 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 77 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 79 | 75 | 73 | 72 | 76 | 75 | 76 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 17 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 52 | 47 | 44 | 46 | 46 | 43 | 38 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 48 | 44 | 42 |
| Average UV index | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
The best time to visit Biarritz is from May to October, when temperatures are warmest (19–25°C), rainfall is lower, and the city is lively with festivals, surfing, and outdoor activities. These months offer ideal conditions for beaches, sightseeing, and enjoying the Basque coast, with long days and a vibrant local atmosphere.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February, when temperatures are lowest, days are shortest, and rainfall is most frequent. While winters are mild compared to much of Europe, frequent rain and occasional storms can limit beach and outdoor activities, though the town remains charming for those seeking a quieter escape.
Biarritz has a mild oceanic climate with warm summers, mild winters, and abundant rainfall. Rain falls year-round, with peaks in late autumn and winter. Summers are sunny and ideal for beaches, while winters are mild and quieter.
The best time to visit Biarritz is from May to October, when the weather is warm, rainfall is lower, and the city is lively with festivals and outdoor activities. Early autumn and late spring offer fewer crowds and pleasant conditions.
Yes, Biarritz is one of France’s wettest cities, with annual precipitation around 1,450–1,475 mm. Rain falls year-round, with the wettest months in November and December and the driest in July and August.
Summer highs in Biarritz typically reach 23–25°C, with July and August being the warmest months. Heatwaves above 30°C are rare, and evenings are usually cool and comfortable for outdoor activities.
Yes, the Atlantic is warmest from July to September, reaching 21–22°C. Swimming is comfortable during these months, though the water is cooler than the Mediterranean.
Pack layers for cool mornings and evenings, a rain jacket for showers, and sun protection for summer. In winter, bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and waterproof shoes for cool, wet conditions.
Winds in Biarritz are generally gentle, but can be brisk during storms, especially in autumn and winter. The city’s coastal location means breezy conditions are common, particularly near the sea.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (24.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (10.7 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 17.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (17.2 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (6.1 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 11.4 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (21.4 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (12.4 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 16.6 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (119.1 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is September (40.2 mm). Over the whole year there are 795.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is April (17.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is October (13 days). Over the whole year there are 188.8 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (5 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 9 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (0.9 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are April, May, July, September, October and November (0 days). Over the whole year there are 2.1 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is June (80.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is October (72.5 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 76.5 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (15.2 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (10.1 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 12.7 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (51.9 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is September (31.2 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 42.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 8.9 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 4.2 h). Over the whole year there are 6.9 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July, August and September (UV index: 5). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.
