Biarritz

The Grande Plage de Biarritz is by far the most popular tourist beach, and it's right in the heart of town. Head to the water for a surf lesson, or just relax on the wide, sandy beach. Stroll along the promenade and enjoy the vistas out to sea, with the Biarritz lighthouse in the distance, and browse the boutique shops along the quay.

Discover the rich history of Biarritz with a walking tour of top attractions like the neo-Gothic Sainte Eugénie church and the lavish Hotel Du Palais, originally built for the French Emperor Napoleon III. You can also combine a tour of Biarritz with other towns along the French Basque coast, including Bayonne, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and Hendaye.

• Biarritz is a top seaside destination on France’s Basque Coast.
• Six beaches offer plenty of variety, from kid-friendly swimming coves to big-wave surf spots.
• The Plage de la Milady beach is equipped with wheelchair access to the sea.

Located in French Basque Country, Biarritz lies along the Atlantic coast in southwestern France, 19 miles (30 kilometers) from the border with Spain. There's a direct train to Biarritz from Paris, and buses connect from several French and Spanish destinations. The Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne International Airport offers direct flights to Amsterdam, Lyon, Nice, Paris, and other major European cities.

July and August are the busiest months in Biarritz. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit in June or early fall, when temperatures are still pleasant and accommodations are more affordable. May–June and September–October are the best times to surf in Biarritz, though expert surfers will enjoy the big swells during the winter months.

Biarritz is one of Europe’s top surfing destinations, and its annual International Surf Festival brings in top riders from around the world. La Côte des Basques is a great sheltered surf spot for beginners. Biarritz has a number of surf schools catering to all ability levels, from hour-long intro lessons to week-long camps.

Biarritz Pays Basque Airport is the main airport servicing Biarritz. There are regular flights from other parts of France and some other European cities exist. From Paris, a high-speed TGV train to Biarritz takes about 4.5 hours. By car, Biarritz is about 1.5 hours from Bordeaux and 1.75 hours from Bilbao in Spain.

Biarritz has long been a popular—and busy—tourist destination, but there are a few good alternatives nearby if you’d prefer somewhere more low-key. Hossegor, north of Biarritz, has a nice lake near the sea. Inland Bayonne has more cultural attractions. Saint-Jean-de-Luz, to the south, is a fishing village with authentic charm.

Both Biarritz and San Sebastian are beautiful—which you prefer depends on your interests. Biarritz is much smaller, but it’s more touristy. Both places have good beaches, but some people consider the coastal development at Biarritz to be rather ugly. San Sebastian also tends to be cheaper than Biarritz. If you’re a surfer, don’t skip Biarritz.

Yes, Biarritz is worth visiting if you’re seeking a beach destination with plenty of fascinating local culture and cuisine. It’s especially popular with surfers. Biarritz is on the southern French coast, close to the Spanish border, so it’s a good base for exploring the attractive villages and towns of the Basque Country in both France and Spain.

Yes, Biarritz is an expensive travel destination. It’s long been a popular spot with royalty and “old money.” Accommodation is costly in Biarritz—the city has even been deemed the most expensive destination in France in the past. Cheaper alternatives can be found up and down the coast of France and neighboring Spain.

These days, Biarritz is famous for its beaches and surf. It was a playground of European royalty from the mid-19th century and still contains some glamorous old palaces. After the construction of casinos, it became popular with big-time gamblers and Hollywood stars. Now, it’s dubbed the surf capital of Europe.