The Biarritz Travel Guide – Beach, Basque Country, & Everything In Between
If you love the idea of a French beach holiday but the French Riviera feels a little too polished, a little too performative, and a little too expensive for what it actually delivers… Biarritz is the answer. It has everything you are looking for. A beautiful stretch of Atlantic coastline, excellent food, great shopping, lively evenings, and a Basque identity that makes it feel completely unlike anywhere else in France. What it does not have is the glitz, the posturing, and the sense that everyone around you is there to be seen rather than to actually enjoy themselves. Biarritz is a laidback yet energetic and genuinely fun. This guide covers everything I would tell a friend before their first visit.
Why Biarritz?
If you love the French Riviera but could do without the glitz, the pretension, and the feeling that everyone around you is part of a performance (rather than enjoying themselves), Biarritz is for you. It has everything the Riviera has in terms of beauty – the coastline, the beaches, the food… but with a completely different energy. Biarritz is laidback – but alive. Casual but never boring. And underpinned by a Basque identity that makes it feel unlike anywhere else in France – the architecture, the food, the culture, and even the language are distinctly their own, rooted in a tradition that predates France as a country. Biarritz is the kind of place where you spend your days at the beach, your afternoons browsing the best independent boutiques of any French beach town, and your evenings eating very well in restaurants that are vibey and excellent without trying to impress anyone. It is one of the most enjoyable places I have been in France, and one of the most underrated.
How to Get to Biarritz
Getting to Biarritz is straightforward from most major points in France, and the journey through the southwestern countryside is beautiful.
from paris
The TGV train from Paris Montparnasse to Biarritz takes approximately 4.5 hours – a longer journey than some destinations but completely manageable and significantly more enjoyable than flying when you factor in airport time. Just make sure to book in advance for the best prices.
from bordeaux
If you are combining Biarritz with Bordeaux – which makes an excellent southwestern France itinerary – the train takes approximately 1.5 hours and runs frequently throughout the day. Bordeaux to Biarritz is one of the most natural pairings in the southwest.
by car
A car is not essential for Biarritz itself – the town is walkable and most of what you need is within easy reach on foot or by bike. That said, having a car opens up the Basque countryside considerably and makes the day trip to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and beyond very easy. If you are planning to explore beyond the town itself, consider renting a car for at least part of your trip.
The Beach – La Grande Plage
La Grande Plage is the heart of Biarritz. It’s where you’ll find a long, sweeping stretch of sand in the center of town that has been drawing visitors to the Basque coast since the 19th century when Empress Eugénie convinced Napoleon III to build a summer residence here and essentially put Biarritz on the map. The beach is beautiful and backed by the grand façade of the Casino and the iconic Hôtel du Palais.
Biarritz is famous for its striped beach tents and umbrellas. Rows of them line the sand, giving the whole scene a retro, nostalgic quality that is completely unique to this stretch of coast. Renting one is part of the experience and worth doing for the shade alone given how strong the Atlantic sun can be in summer. But make sure to go early! La Grande Plage fills up fast from late June through August and the best spots disappear quickly. Before 10am you will find a place easily.
By the way, Biarritz is historically a surf town. The surf here is excellent so if you’ve ever wanted to try it, this is the place to do it.
What to Do in Biarritz
Phare de Biarritz – The Lighthouse
The Phare de Biarritz sits on a rocky outcrop at the northern end of town and the views from the top over the Basque coastline are extraordinary with the Atlantic stretching out in every direction, the town below you, and on a clear day the Pyrenees visible in the distance. It is worth the climb and a rewarding thing to do with an hour or so in Biarritz. The lighthouse itself dates back to 1834 and you can climb the 248 steps to the top for a small entry fee. Allow 30 to 45 minutes and go on a clear day for the best views.
Electric Bikes
Renting an electric bike is one of the best ways to explore Biarritz – the coastline is dramatic and the roads along the cliff tops are beautiful. Bikes are available to rent from several spots in the town center and no advance booking is required. Allow a half day if you want to explore the full coastal route properly. If you’d rather join a tour, I’d recommend this small group tour that takes you along the coast.
Where to Eat & Drink in Biarritz
The food scene in Biarritz is delicious and unique, and the Basque cuisine is one of the great regional food traditions in France. In Biarritz (and on the Basque coast), you’ll notice that market stalls and tapas bars line the old town streets. It’s a great destination for seafood and sharing plates and doesn’t mirror traditional French food that you see in other areas of France.
halles de biarritz – for lunch
For lunch I would send you straight to the Halles de Biarritz, the covered market in the heart of town that is the best possible introduction to Basque food culture. Fresh fish from the Atlantic, local charcuterie, Basque cheese, incredible produce, and a handful of small counters where you can eat on the spot. It’s casual, delicious, and energetic.
chéri bibi – for dinner
Chéri Bibi is the fun one on this list. It’s casual, vibey, and doesn’t take reservations which means you need to arrive early or be prepared to wait. The atmosphere is warm and social and the food is excellent.
le saleya – for dinner
Le Saleya is where I would go for a proper dinner. More elevated than Chéri Bibi but not in a formal way. It’s better for those looking for a sit-down dinner where you want to slow down. Book in advance.
pluma biarritz – for dinner
Pluma Biarritz is the most aesthetically pleasing of the three – but without compromising on taste! The restaurant is set inside a hotel with beautiful interiors. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is vibey, and it’s the one I would specifically recommend for a girls’ night out. Book in advance.
bar jean – for drinks
For drinks and a more casual evening stop, Bar Jean is a great choice. They have a lively bar and serve tons of different types of tapas. It’s not what I would recommend for a full dinner, but it’s an excellent place to start or end an evening, and the atmosphere is exactly what you want in a Biarritz night out.
Shopping in Biarritz
Biarritz has one of the best independent boutique shopping scenes of any beach town in France. These are my personal picks:
- Bijoux Cailloux – Jewelry and accessories
- Boo Biarritz – French designer jewelry and bags
- Bulle64 – Basque-inspired clothing and lifestyle
- Le BON. Magasin Collectif – Multi-brand concept store, local designers
- Marcel Travel Posters – Art Deco inspired vintage travel prints, including a beautiful Biarritz collection
- Open Me – lifestyle and gifts
- Une à Une – Jewlery
Day Trip – Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Saint-Jean-de-Luz is just 12 miles south of Biarritz and one of the most beautiful towns on the Basque coast – a former fishing village turned elegant seaside resort with a natural harbor, a crescent-shaped bay, and the kind of Basque architecture that makes you want to photograph every street corner. It is an easy and completely worthwhile half day from Biarritz and one I would recommend to anyone spending more than a day in the region.
Start at the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste where Louis XIV married Marie-Thérèse of Spain in 1660 in one of the most historically significant moments in French history. From there walk to Place Louis XIV – the main square in town framed by beautiful Basque townhouses. Make sure to stop into Maison Adam on the square for traditional Basque macarons.
For shopping, Le Vestiaire is the one boutique worth seeking out — a beautifully curated women’s fashion edit that feels like a genuine discovery.
How to Get to Saint-Jean-de-Luz from Biarritz
From Biarritz by car, the drive takes approximately 30 minutes on the A63 motorway and is easy, but you do need to consider parking once you arrive. (There is paid, street parking throughout town with a 3-hour limit). For an even easier choice, you can take the train from Biarritz which takes just 12 to 15 minutes and runs frequently throughout the day.
Where to Stay in Biarritz
Stay as close to La Grande Plage as possible. The best of Biarritz is concentrated around the beach and the town center, and being within walking distance of both makes the whole trip significantly easier.
hôtel du palais
Hôtel du Palais is the most iconic hotel in Biarritz and one of the great palace hotels of France. Originally built in 1854 as the summer residence of Empress Eugénie – the woman who put Biarritz on the map. It sits directly on La Grande Plage with unobstructed views over the Atlantic from its terrace, pool, and many of its rooms. The building is extraordinary, the spa is one of the best on the Basque coast, and staying here puts you at the very epicenter of Biarritz.
sofitel biarritz le miramar thalassa sea & spa
Sofitel Biarritz is a five-star thalassotherapy resort directly on the seafront – the full spa and wellness experience with direct beach access, seawater treatments, an indoor pool, and panoramic ocean views. The right choice for those who want a more spa-focused stay without sacrificing location or quality.
reginal experimental biarritz
The most characterful boutique hotel in Biarritz is the Regina Experimental Biarritz. It’s a beautifully restored Belle Époque building from 1907 with 52 rooms, a rooftop terrace with views over the ocean, and a relaxed feeling and aesthetic. It’s a strong choice for those who want something more intimate and design-forward than the grand palace hotels.
Practical Tips
A few things worth knowing before you go.
Go early to the beach. La Grande Plage fills up fast from late June through August. The beach tents and umbrellas are available to rent directly on the beach and worth doing for the shade.
Book restaurants in advance.
The best time to visit is June or September. July and August are beautiful but very busy – the town fills up with French families on summer holiday and the beach gets incredibly crowded. June has excellent weather and significantly fewer people. September is warm, quieter, and the Atlantic surf is at its best.
Biarritz has its own identity. The Basque Country is not just a region of France. It has its own language, its own architecture, its own food traditions, and a cultural identity that predates France as a country. You will notice it everywhere from the red and green shutters on the buildings to the pintxos in the bars to the Basque flag flying alongside the French one.
San Sebastián is 45 minutes away. If you have a car and an extra day, crossing the border into Spain for a pintxos crawl in San Sebastián is defintely worth it as it’s one of the great food cities of Europe.
Biarritz is one of those destinations that surprises people. They arrive expecting a French beach town and leave with a genuine appreciation for the Basque Country, the food, and a coastline that is as beautiful as anything the Riviera has to offer without any of the attitude. If you have been looking for a French beach holiday that feels genuine – this is it.
Planning a Trip to France?
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