Biarritz Travel Guide: Things to Do in Biarritz, France

Biarritz Travel Guide: Things to Do in Biarritz, France

After a month exploring western France by car, I drove three hours southwest from Bordeaux toward the Atlantic coast and based myself in Anglet, the stretch of coastline nestled between Bayonne and Biarritz, just 40 minutes from the Spanish border.

This wasn’t a random stop. Biarritz sits at a natural crossroads where France begins to soften into Spain, where surf culture meets old harbour elegance, and where the Atlantic defines the flow of daily life.

Anglet gave me a quieter base, while Biarritz became my playground for long coastal walks with Roly, harbour lunches that stretched into wine-fuelled evenings, and sunset views from Côte des Basques.

If you’re wondering whether Biarritz is worth adding to your France itinerary, and what the best things to do in Biarritz actually are, this guide breaks it down properly.

Table of Contents

• Where Is Biarritz & Why Visit?
• Best Things to Do in Biarritz
  
• Is Biarritz Expensive?
• Is Biarritz Worth Visiting?
• How Many Days Do You Need in Biarritz?

Where Is Biarritz & Why Visit?

Biarritz sits on France’s southwest Atlantic coast in the Basque region, close to the Spanish border. It’s approximately:

• 2 hours from Bordeaux
• 30 minutes from Bayonne
• 30 minutes from Saint-Jean-de-Luz
• 40 minutes from San Sebastián (Spain)

Geographically, it marks a subtle shift. France begins to soften into Spain here. The architecture feels elegant and refined, yet surfboards lean casually against café walls. It’s polished, but never stiff.

So why visit?

Because Biarritz offers a combination that’s surprisingly rare:

• A dramatic Atlantic coastline
• A deeply rooted surf culture
• A walkable historic harbour
• Strong French–Basque food
• A relaxed but social coastal energy

It feels alive without being chaotic. Sophisticated without being formal, and compact enough to explore properly in a couple of days.

Best Things to Do in Biarritz

If you’re searching for things to do in Biarritz, here’s what’s genuinely worth your time, based on how I spent my own weekend between Anglet and the harbour.

1. Wander the Old Harbour (Port des Pêcheurs)

My first proper afternoon in Biarritz started here. The old harbour (Port des Pêcheurs) is where the town feels most atmospheric. Cobbled lanes wind between Basque restaurants, wine bars, surf shops and independent boutiques. It’s compact, but layered, especially around golden hour when the light hits the harbour and everything turns soft and amber.

I had lunch at Chistera et Coquillages, a local favourite serving French–Basque tapas. Steak and squid, both marinated and cooked perfectly. The kind of meal that makes you slow down without realising.

This area alone justifies a long, unhurried half-day.

2. Swim at Plage du Port Vieux

Just below the harbour sits Plage du Port Vieux, a small, sheltered cove tucked between cliffs.

It’s calmer than the main beach and feels almost hidden. Roly jumped straight into the water without hesitation while I sat watching the tide roll gently into the curved bay. It’s one of the prettiest swim spots in town, intimate but still distinctly Atlantic.

If you prefer something less exposed than Grande Plage, this is your beach.

3. Walk Grande Plage

Then there’s Grande Plage the city’s main beach and arguably the most recognisable stretch of sand in southwest France.

Wide. Dramatic. Open Atlantic energy. Grand hotels looking down from above. The waves feel powerful here, not decorative.

This is where you feel Biarritz properly.

If you’re unsure where to start your visit, begin at Grande Plage and walk the promenade. It sets the tone immediately.

4. Eat a Crêpe & Drift Through the Streets

Grab a crepe at Crêperie Sarrasin Biarritz for something sweet before getting intentionally lost in the side streets.

Biarritz isn’t huge, and that’s its advantage. You don’t “tick off” attractions. You drift. Independent boutiques. Surf stores. Wine bars tucked into narrow lanes. It rewards wandering more than planning.

5. Watch Sunset at Côte des Basques

If you do one thing properly in Biarritz, make it this. Côte des Basques is where surf culture meets drama. Long sweeping views. Open horizon. The Atlantic stretching endlessly west. This is also where travel did what it does best for me.

One evening, I went on a date with Antoine, a Canadian from Quebec, and we met along the Côte des Basques beachfront as the sun began to drop. We wandered through the cobbled streets afterwards, talking about travel and life, before finding a dimly lit wine bar tucked into a narrow lane. Dinner at Haragia, a steakhouse where they present the cut of meat before cooking it, turned into one of those spontaneous nights travel gifts you unexpectedly with wine, laughter, and the owner joining in.

Biarritz has that effect. It invites connection.

Is Biarritz Expensive?

Yes, relatively. Biarritz has long been associated with coastal elegance and old-school glamour, and the pricing reflects that. Compared to other parts of southwest France, it leans premium.

You can expect:

• Higher accommodation prices (especially in summer)
• Restaurant mains that feel closer to Paris-lite pricing
• Beachfront drinks that reflect the Atlantic setting

That said, it’s not Monaco-level, and it’s entirely manageable with small adjustments.

You can balance costs by:

• Staying in Anglet instead of central Biarritz (this worked perfectly for me)
• Eating around the old harbour rather than directly on the main promenade
• Visiting outside peak July/August

Like most coastal destinations in Europe, Biarritz rewards timing and positioning. A short stay done well feels indulgent without being excessive.

Is Biarritz Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you appreciate a certain kind of coastal energy.  It’s worth visiting if you’re drawn to:

• Coastal elegance with a slightly rugged edge
• Deep-rooted surf culture woven into daily life
• Walkable streets that reward slow wandering
• Strong French–Basque food
• That particular Atlantic light that makes everything feel cinematic

It’s not ideal for:

• Budget backpackers looking for ultra-cheap stays
• Party-heavy nightlife seekers
• Travellers who want constant, high-speed city momentum

Biarritz works best for people who enjoy balance.

For me, it was the perfect final French stop before Spain; grounding but social, scenic but never sleepy, refined without being rigid. A place that lets you slow down without losing energy.

How Many Days Do You Need in Biarritz?

Biarritz works well at multiple paces, it simply depends on how you want to experience it.

If you’re planning a short weekend getaway, 2–3 days is enough to explore the old harbour, walk the coastline, enjoy the beaches and settle into a few strong restaurant spots.

But if you’re looking for a more expansive, laid-back coastal experience, 5–7 days is ideal. That allows time to:

• Move slowly between beaches
• Take day trips to Saint-Jean-de-Luz or Bayonne
• Enjoy long lunches without watching the clock
• Settle into the surf life

It also makes an excellent digital nomad base. The town is walkable, the café culture is strong, infrastructure is reliable, and there’s a steady international crowd that keeps things social without feeling transient.

In short: Biarritz can be a weekend highlight or a coastal reset you properly sink into.

Final Thought

Biarritz sits at a geographic threshold. France softens into Spain here, yet the Atlantic remains constant; expansive, steady, and defining.

It’s a place that balances elegance with ease. Surf culture beside grand hotels. Harbour-side lunches that turn into long evenings. A town small enough to walk entirely, yet layered enough to reward staying longer than planned.

Whether you visit for a weekend or stay for a week, Biarritz offers a coastal experience shaped by ocean air, long lunches, and streets made for wandering.

It isn’t loud. It doesn’t try too hard, and that’s exactly its strength.

For a place so close to the Spanish border, it holds its own identity quietly confident, coastal, and grounded.

For city-by-city breakdowns and deeper regional planning, explore the full France Travel Guides.