Wondering what to do in Biarritz? Plan your stay with our complete guide to Biarritz. For transfers on arrival and during your stay, Smart Moov offers a private driver service in Biarritz with a fixed fare confirmed before departure.
What to Do in Biarritz? The Essential Guide to an Unmissable Basque Destination
Biarritz, the jewel of the Basque coast, dazzles with its timeless elegance, spectacular scenery and diverse activities. Within a few square kilometres, the city brings together legendary beaches, preserved Belle Époque architecture, one of the finest Basque food scenes in south-west France, and a coastal path that rivals any seafront promenade in Europe. Whether you are passionate about history, a fan of great food or an outdoor sports enthusiast — this city has it all.
What to Do in Biarritz: Start with the Beaches
Biarritz has six main beaches, all reachable on foot from the city centre in under twenty minutes. That means you can cover several in a single day depending on sea conditions, the mood of your group and the time of day.
Grande Plage — what to do in Biarritz beach
The iconic beach of Biarritz: 500 metres of fine sand framed by the Hôtel du Palais, the Casino Municipal and the Espace Bellevue. Patrolled by lifeguards from June to September. Ideal for families and swimmers who want an animated setting, with bars and restaurants directly on the seafront promenade. Beginner surfers also find accessible waves here outside periods of heavy swell.
Côte des Basques — Birthplace of Surfing in Europe
This is where surfing first arrived in France in the 1950s. Framed by Villa Belza and the cliffs above which a panoramic walkway winds, the Côte des Basques offers accessible waves for beginners in the morning and more technical swells in the afternoon. Sunsets from the promenade above are among the most photographed in the Basque Country. Surf schools are most concentrated around this beach.
Plage du Port-Vieux – top activity in Biarritz
Tucked between two cliffs near the Virgin Rock, this is the smallest and most sheltered beach in Biarritz. Little exposed to swell, it suits young children and swimmers looking for calmer water. Popular with locals — arrive early in summer. It is also an excellent starting point for stand-up paddleboarding, from around €15/hour.
Milady, Marbella and Miramar
To the south, Milady has a pleasant promenade and easier disabled access. Marbella, wilder, attracts families looking for a quieter setting, plus kayakers and jetski riders. Miramar draws experienced surfers seeking more powerful waves. Plage d’Ilbarritz, on the Bidart border, is ideal for a family day — with the restaurant La Plancha facing the ocean and the Blue Cargo for evenings.
Must-See Landmarks in Biarritz
Virgin Rock — unmissable sight in Biarritz
The symbol of Biarritz. Accessible from the city centre via a metal footbridge built on the orders of Napoleon III, this rocky islet topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary offers an exceptional panorama over the Atlantic and the Basque coast. Free access, year-round. By heavy swell, the waves crashing against the rocks create a genuinely spectacular sight.
Biarritz Lighthouse — visit and panoramic views
Built in 1834 on the Pointe Saint-Martin, the lighthouse stands 73 metres above sea level. Its 248 steps lead to a panoramic view over the Basco-Landaise coastline and, on clear days, the Pyrenean peaks. Admission: €3. Seasonal opening — check hours before visiting.
The Fishing Port and Villa Belza
The Fishing Port is one of the most authentic spots in Biarritz. Its 66 colourful painted-shutter cabins can only be rented by fishermen with a boat moored at the port — which gives it a rarity that is hard to find on this coast. Several fish and seafood restaurants have terraces directly on the water. Nearby, Villa Belza — a neo-medieval mansion built in the 1880s that has served as a film set on several occasions — stands out dramatically against the cliff above the Côte des Basques.
The Casino Municipal and Hôtel du Palais
The Casino Municipal dominates the Grande Plage with its Belle Époque architecture and hosts shows, concerts and cultural events throughout the year. The Hôtel du Palais, built on the site of Empress Eugénie’s imperial villa, has been the benchmark of Biarritz luxury since the 19th century. Even without staying overnight, a drink at the bar with views over the Atlantic is a Biarritz experience worth having.
Culture and Museums: What to Visit in Biarritz
Musée de la Mer — Aquarium de Biarritz
Housed in an Art Deco building facing the Atlantic, the Aquarium de Biarritz is one of the city’s major cultural institutions. Shark tanks, a dedicated seal area with daily feeding sessions open to the public, and a collection of marine species from the Bay of Biscay. The visit averages 1h30 and suits all ages. Open year-round. Admission: €15/adult, €11/child. Contact: +33 5 59 22 33 34.
Cité de l’Océan
An interactive museum dedicated to the ocean, surfing and marine environmental issues. Surf simulators, virtual reality films and regularly updated themed exhibitions. A natural complement to the Aquarium for a full day devoted to the marine world. Allow between one and two hours.
Musée Asiatica
One of the most significant collections of Asian art in France, with several thousand works and archaeological pieces from India, China, Nepal and Tibet. An unexpected and transporting parenthesis in a Biarritz stay — ideal for alternating beaches with culture from a different angle altogether.
Gastronomy in Biarritz: Halles, Pintxos and Restaurants
Les Halles — best food market in Biarritz
Built in 1885, Les Halles de Biarritz (Rue des Halles, 64200) are the gastronomic heart of the city. Two covered halls host around fifty traders every morning — butchers, fishmongers, cheese makers, bakers and charcutiers — plus several dine-in restaurants. The essentials: Bayonne ham, Ossau-Iraty sheep’s cheese, Irouléguy wines and freshly caught fish from the Bay of Biscay. Perfect for assembling a picnic before the beach or launching a food-focused day. For a guided experience, the private gourmet tour of Les Halles runs two hours with a local food guide — €40/person including tastings.
Pintxos bars — the essential Basque ritual
Pintxos — small bites served on sliced bread — are the Basque version of tapas. The ritual: walk into a bar, pick from the counter, order a glass of txakoli (lightly sparkling local white wine) or Rioja, then move on to the next bar. The centre of Biarritz has several addresses where this ritual plays out in the late afternoon and evening, without any reservation needed.
Restaurants by style
Traditional Basque: La Tantina de Burgos (authentic cooking, try the veal axoa) · Chez Pilou (convivial, local traditions)
Fish and seafood: Chez Albert (Biarritz institution at the fishing port) · La Plancha d’Ilbarritz (contemporary, exceptional ocean view)
Michelin-starred: L’Impertinent (chef-driven cuisine, Basque flavours) · Les Rosiers (unique gastronomic experience)
Family-friendly: La Tantina de la Playa (children’s menu, generous portions) · Joie (pizzas, relaxed setting)
Pastries and chocolates: Miremont (Basque cake and hot chocolate, 1bis Place Georges Clemenceau) · Henriet Chocolatier (5 Place Clémenceau) · Paries (Basque institution, traditional sweets including the “Muxu”)
For gastronomic tables outside the city centre or late evening dinners, a private chauffeur in Biarritz handles the drive and the return — no parking, no designated driver required.
Activities in Biarritz: Surf, Coast and Wellness
Surf in Biarritz: lessons and schools
Biarritz is the surfing capital of continental Europe. Around fifteen Federation-certified schools offer lessons from absolute beginners to advanced coaching, with sessions of about 1h30. The Côte des Basques and Grande Plage suit beginners; Miramar and Marbella suit experienced surfers. Best conditions: spring and autumn.
Jo Moraiz Surf School (Côte des Basques) — +33 6 61 80 62 73 · Stand Up Paddle 64 — +33 6 80 13 52 57 · Hang Loose Surf Shop (board rental, near Grande Plage) — +33 5 59 22 15 05 · Surf Rental Biarritz — +33 6 62 95 62 32
Coastal walks in Biarritz — Sentier du Littoral
The Sentier du Littoral runs between Bidart and Biarritz along the clifftops, with successive viewpoints over the Atlantic and coves only reachable from the sea. Allow 1h30 in one direction. Accessible to all, year-round. The stretch between the Lighthouse and the Côte des Basques is the most spectacular. For photographers: the sunrise from the walkway above the Côte des Basques is worth an early start.
Boat trips and dolphin watching
The Bay of Biscay is one of the richest marine environments in Europe. From May to October, excursions depart from the Fishing Port for dolphin and whale watching, and coastal tours visiting coves only accessible by sea. Allow two to three hours, from around €30/adult. Stand-up paddle rental is available year-round from the Port-Vieux area, from €15/hour.
Thalassotherapy and spas
Biarritz is one of France’s leading thalassotherapy destinations. Seawater, algae and marine mud treatments in institutes facing the Atlantic, available by the day without long advance booking. The natural choice on a grey or rainy day.
Thalmar — 80 Rue de Madrid, 64200 Biarritz · Sofitel Miramar Thalassa Sea & Spa — 13 Rue Louison Bobet, 64200 Biarritz
Day Trips from Biarritz — the Best of the Basque Country Within Reach
Biarritz’s location makes it an ideal base for day trips across the Basque Country. All the destinations below are reachable within an hour by road. Smart Moov operates private transfers to each with a fixed fare confirmed before departure.
Bayonne — best day trip from Biarritz
Medieval half-timbered streets, Gothic cathedral Sainte-Marie, Basque Museum, Bonnat-Helleu Museum of fine arts and Vauban ramparts. Bayonne ham and the city’s chocolatiers — among the first in France — are reason enough to visit. The Bayonne Festivities in late July are five days of street celebration not to be missed.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz — 40 minutes
An active fishing port, colourful Basque houses, a sheltered Grande Plage and a lively pedestrian street. Louis XIV married Marie-Thérèse of Austria here in 1660 — the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste still has the door that was bricked up immediately after the ceremony.
San Sebastián — top excursion from Biarritz
The world’s gastronomic capital by concentration of Michelin stars. A full day covers the Parte Vieja old town, a pintxos circuit through the best bars, a walk along La Concha beach and the cable car up to Monte Igueldo. Our Biarritz to San Sebastián private transfer takes 30 minutes with a fixed fare — no parking, no navigation in an unfamiliar Spanish city. The San Sebastián tourism office offers free downloadable maps and itineraries.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port — 1 hour
The starting point of the French Way of the Camino de Santiago. The medieval fortified town at the foot of the Pyrenees is worth visiting even without walking on to Roncesvalles. The citadel, the Rue de la Citadelle lined with pink half-timbered houses, and the views over the Pyrenean peaks are particularly striking in autumn. Our Biarritz to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port transfer uses a van suited to pilgrim backpacks and hiking equipment.
What to Do in Biarritz by Visitor Profile
Here is a breakdown of what to do in Biarritz depending on who you are travelling with.
What to do in Biarritz with children
Port-Vieux and Milady are the calmest beaches for young children. The Aquarium and the Cité de l’Océan cover a half-day from age five. The Biarritz Little Train (€7/adult, €4/child, departing near the Jardin Public) covers the main sites without too much walking. Surf lessons at certified schools are accessible from age seven to eight. For transfers from Biarritz Airport (BIQ), Smart Moov fits baby seats and booster chairs at no extra cost — just mention your children’s ages and weights when booking.
What to do in Biarritz as a couple
Sunset from the Côte des Basques or the Virgin Rock, an evening pintxos crawl in the city centre, a half-day thalassotherapy session, dinner at a gastronomic restaurant on the coast, an afternoon sailing trip: Biarritz offers a naturally rich romantic programme. For excursions to San Sebastián or Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a private driver removes all the friction of navigating unfamiliar towns.
What to do in Biarritz for surf enthusiasts
Côte des Basques for consistent waves, Miramar on days of good swell, Anglet and its 6 km of continuous beach for longer sessions. Spring and autumn offer the best conditions — consistent swell, less crowded beaches. For bulky equipment (longboards, wetsuit bags), the Smart Moov van handles everything from BIQ airport, provided you mention it at booking.
What to do in Biarritz for culture lovers
Biarritz, Bayonne and the Basque hinterland form one of the most coherent architectural heritages in south-west France: Belle Époque and neo-Basque villas in Biarritz, half-timbered houses and medieval ramparts in Bayonne, traditional red-and-white architecture in the interior villages (Espelette, Ainhoa, Sare). The Aquarium, the Cité de l’Océan, the Musée Asiatica and the Musée Basque in Bayonne together make a complete museum circuit over two or three days.
What to Do in Biarritz When It Rains
The Basque Country has grey and rainy days throughout the year, including in summer. These days are well managed with an indoor programme:
Museums: the Aquarium and the Cité de l’Océan cover a complete cultural half-day. The Musée Asiatica is an unexpected and transporting alternative. In Bayonne (15 minutes), the Musée Basque and the Musée Bonnat-Helleu fill an afternoon under the covered arcades of the old town.
Gastronomy: a morning at Les Halles de Biarritz followed by lunch on-site is the ideal occupation in wet weather. Allow an hour for the market stalls and an hour for the meal.
Thalassotherapy: Thalmar and the Sofitel Miramar offer day and half-day sessions without long advance booking. Rainy weather is precisely when these institutes come into their own.
A day trip to Bayonne: the historic city visits perfectly in the rain — its covered streets, market halls, museums and chocolatiers make it a natural destination for a grey day.
How to Get Around Biarritz and the Basque Country
Still wondering what to do in Biarritz and how to get there? The city centre is easily walkable…
For day trips to Bayonne, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, San Sebastián or inland villages, a car is the most practical option — but parking is difficult in high season and driving in an unfamiliar Spanish city with luggage is not always straightforward.
Smart Moov offers a private driver service across the Basque Country, available 24 hours a day with a fixed fare confirmed before you travel. Saloon car or van depending on passenger numbers and luggage. Meet-and-greet with a name board at Biarritz Airport (BIQ) with real-time flight tracking included, and at Biarritz and Bayonne railway stations. Advance booking is recommended in July and August.
Frequently Asked Questions about Biarritz
When is the best time to visit Biarritz?
Biarritz is a year-round destination. July and August are ideal for the beach and swimming (sea temperature 18–22°C). Spring and autumn offer quality surf, emptier beaches and pleasant weather — the preferred periods for locals. Winter is peaceful, with powerful surf for experienced riders and an authentic atmosphere far from tourist crowds.
How many days do you need in Biarritz?
Two days cover the essential sites of Biarritz (beaches, Virgin Rock, Lighthouse, Halles, Aquarium). Three to four days allow at least one day trip — Bayonne, Saint-Jean-de-Luz or San Sebastián. A week is ideal for combining Biarritz, the inland Basque villages and a full day in Spain.
Is Biarritz suitable for families with children?
Yes. Port-Vieux and Milady beaches are the calmest for young children. The Aquarium and Cité de l’Océan suit children from age five. The Little Train covers the main sites without too much walking. Certified surf lessons are accessible from around age seven to eight. Baby seats and booster chairs are available at no extra cost from Smart Moov — mention your children’s details when booking.
Can you do a day trip from Biarritz to San Sebastián?
Yes. San Sebastián is 30 minutes by road. A full day covers the Parte Vieja, a pintxos circuit, La Concha beach and Monte Igueldo. Smart Moov handles the transfer both ways with a fixed fare — no parking or navigation stress on the Spanish side.
How do I get from Biarritz Airport to the city centre?
Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (BIQ) is five minutes from the city centre. Smart Moov provides door-to-door airport transfers from BIQ with flight tracking, meet-and-greet in the arrivals hall and a fixed fare confirmed at booking. Advance reservation is strongly recommended in July and August.
What is there to do in Biarritz when it rains?
The Aquarium and the Cité de l’Océan for a cultural half-day, the Musée Asiatica for an unexpected change of scene, Les Halles for a covered gourmet lunch, a thalassotherapy centre, or a day trip to Bayonne’s museums and cathedral 15 minutes away.
Useful link: Biarritz Tourism Office — Destination Biarritz
