Wondering what to do in Biarritz in the rain? The question deserves a proper answer, not just a list of museums.
What to Do in Biarritz in the Rain: All the Ideas
The Basque Country has a reputation for rain — often undeservedly. But even when it does rain, Biarritz does not let you down.
The city is remarkably well equipped to offer rich days whatever the weather.
Museums, thalasso, gastronomy, shopping, cinema, a covered day trip to Bayonne, wine cellars: here are all the ideas for what to do in Biarritz in the rain, with addresses and practical advice.
Find all our recommendations in the complete Biarritz guide. For transfers between Biarritz and Bayonne on a rainy day, Smart Moov provides a private driver in Biarritz — fixed fare, comfort guaranteed.
What to Do in Biarritz in the Rain: Museums and Indoor Sites
Biarritz Aquarium — Musée de la Mer
This is the first answer to what to do in Biarritz in the rain: the Biarritz Aquarium (Musée de la Mer). Housed in a magnificent Art Deco building facing the Atlantic, it contains 150 marine species from the Bay of Biscay and tropical seas.
The highlight: a 1,500m³ hammerhead shark tank and daily public seal feeding sessions.
The visit takes 1h30 to 2h and suits all ages perfectly. Admission: €15/adult, €11/child.
Contact: +33 5 59 22 33 34.
Address: Esplanade du Musée de la Mer, 64200 Biarritz.
Cité de l’Océan
Complementary to the Aquarium, the Cité de l’Océan offers a more immersive and interactive approach to the marine world: surf simulators, 360° virtual reality experiences, educational animations.
Ideal for families with children from age 5-6.
Admission: approx. €12/adult, €9/child.
Address: 1 Avenue de la Plage, 64200 Biarritz.
Biarritz Historical Museum
Housed in a former Anglican church in the heart of the city, the Biarritz Historical Museum traces the history of the city from its origins as a fishing village to its imperial seaside resort period.
The visit is short (45 min) but very informative for understanding Biarritz’s identity.
Free on the first Sunday of each month.
Address: Rue Broquedis, 64200 Biarritz.
The Imperial Chapel
Built at the request of Empress Eugénie in 1864, the Imperial Chapel is a jewel of architecture blending Romanesque-Byzantine style with Moorish influences.
Open to visitors, it offers an unusual cultural and spiritual counterpoint to a rainy day.
Address: Avenue de l’Impératrice, 64200 Biarritz.
What to Do in Biarritz in the Rain: Wellness and Thalasso
Rain is actually an excellent reason to enjoy wellness activities that you might have put off in good weather. Biarritz is one of France’s thalassotherapy capitals — its centres are precisely designed to offer a warm counterpoint to grey days.
Thalmar Thalassothérapie
Thalmar (80 Rue de Madrid, 64200 Biarritz) allows access to the seawater pools without booking a treatment — three pools with varying temperatures and jets, sauna and hammam.
A full affordable afternoon, ideal for families or couples. Bring a swimming cap, plastic sandals and a towel.
Sofitel Miramar Thalassa Sea & Spa
For a more premium experience, the Sofitel Miramar Thalassa (13 Rue Louison Bobet, 64200 Biarritz) is the high-end reference.
Treatments, massages, indoor and outdoor pool access with ocean views — a full day or half-day here is one of the best answers to what to do in Biarritz in the rain for a premium stay.
What to Do in Biarritz in the Rain: Gastronomy and Les Halles
Rain makes meals even more enjoyable — you settle in, take your time, savour properly. It is the ideal occasion to explore Biarritz’s exceptional gastronomy without the pressure of outdoor activities.
Les Halles de Biarritz — the essential covered market
Les Halles de Biarritz (Rue des Halles, 64200 Biarritz) are entirely covered — perfect for a rainy day of browsing stalls, tasting pintxos at the bar, drinking a glass of txakoli and having a relaxed lunch.
Open every morning. Particularly lively on Saturday and Sunday.
Our guide to where to eat in Biarritz lists all the best addresses.
A long lunch in a Biarritz bistro
Rainy days are when Biarritz bistros are at their best. Warm atmosphere, seasonal cooking, carefully chosen wine list — exactly what offers :
Bistrot du Haou (43 Rue Gambetta, +33 5 59 24 18 84),
Epoq and
L’Entre Deux (5 Avenue du Maréchal Foch, +33 5 59 22 51 50) .
Take your time over a proper French lunch — it is one of the most enjoyable activities on a rainy day in Biarritz.
Salon de thé Miremont — pastries and sea views
Salon de thé Miremont (1bis Place Georges Clemenceau, 64200 Biarritz) is the perfect address for a rainy afternoon: homemade hot chocolate, Basque cake and a view over the Atlantic from a historic and elegant setting. A Biarritz institution for over a century.
What to Do in Biarritz in the Rain: Shopping and Boutiques
Biarritz offers quality shopping within a compact area. The city-centre streets — Rue Gambetta, Rue d’Espagne, Place Clemenceau and their side streets — concentrate surf and lifestyle fashion boutiques, fine food shops, chocolatiers, wine merchants, bookshops and galleries.
Wandering these shopping streets in the rain is often more enjoyable than it sounds: the city stays lively, shops are welcoming and cafés are always nearby.
Chocolatiers and pâtisseries in Biarritz
The Basque Country is one of France’s great chocolate regions — Bayonne in particular has a chocolate-making tradition going back four centuries. In Biarritz, several chocolatiers and pâtisseries are worth a visit on a rainy day.
Sébastien Zozaya (Meilleur Ouvrier de France, 16 Rue de la Bergerie, +33 5 59 24 45 98) is the absolute reference.
Carlier Traiteur (8 Rue des Halles) also offers a fine selection of Basque specialities to take home.
What to Do in Biarritz in the Rain: Escape to Bayonne
Perhaps the best answer to what to do in Biarritz in the rain is to leave Biarritz for a day and head to Bayonne — just 15 minutes away by car or private driver.
Bayonne is one of the south-west’s best cities for a rainy day: its medieval streets are lined with covered arcades that allow you to wander without getting wet, its museums are among the richest in the region, its chocolatiers are legendary and its atmosphere is particularly authentic out of season.
Musée Basque de Bayonne
The Musée Basque et de l’Histoire de Bayonne (37 Quai des Corsaires, Bayonne) is one of France’s richest regional ethnography museums.
Collections on Basque pelota, ship models, traditional costumes, regional history and traditions — a 2-hour minimum visit that completely illuminates Basque identity. Essential on a rainy day.
Musée Bonnat-Helleu de Bayonne
The Musée Bonnat-Helleu (5 Rue Jacques Laffitte, Bayonne) houses one of the finest fine arts collections in south-west France: Rubens, Goya, Ingres, Degas and many European masters.
An exceptional museum for a city the size of Bayonne.
Bayonne chocolatiers and cathedral
Rue du Port Neuf concentrates Bayonne’s historic chocolatiers — some dating back to the 17th century. The Gothic cathedral Sainte-Marie is also worth a full interior visit.
And the small streets of Petit Bayonne, with their pintxos bars and covered terraces, are perfect for a drink and a snack mid-morning. To travel to Bayonne without worrying about parking, our Biarritz private driver service covers the journey on request.
Other Ideas for What to Do in Biarritz in the Rain
Cinéma Le Royal
Cinéma Le Royal (Avenue du Maréchal Foch, Biarritz) is an independent cinema in the heart of the city, regularly programming arthouse films and original-version screenings. A good option for a rainy afternoon.
Surfing — even in the rain
Experienced surfers know it well: rain changes nothing in the water. You are already wet. Swell conditions on a stormy day are often the best of the year on the Côte des Basques.
For those who know how to surf, a session in the rain in Biarritz is an experience in its own right — raw, beautiful and memorable.
Grand hotel spas
The Hôtel du Palais (1 Avenue de l’Impératrice) offers spa access with an indoor pool, hammam and treatments — a luxurious option for a full rainy day. Some hotels in the city also open their spa to outside guests on request.
FAQ — What to Do in Biarritz in the Rain
Is Biarritz a good destination in bad weather?
Yes. Biarritz remains very interesting in bad weather: quality museums, thalasso, exceptional gastronomy, shopping, and Bayonne 15 minutes away with its covered arcades, museums and chocolatiers. Rain is rarely persistent and showers pass quickly.
How many rainy days does Biarritz get?
Biarritz averages 130 to 150 rainy days per year — but most are passing showers, not full grey days. The city enjoys over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually. July-August are the driest months, October-November the wettest.
What to do in Biarritz in the rain with children?
The Aquarium and Cité de l’Océan easily cover a half-day and suit all ages. Les Halles de Biarritz for lunch. Thalasso for older children and adults. Bayonne with the Musée Basque for a full cultural day. Our guide to Biarritz with kids covers all activities by age group.
Find our complete Biarritz guide, our article on what to do in Biarritz and our guide on when to visit Biarritz.
Biarritz Tourism Office — updated information and events
