Wondering when to visit Biarritz? It is often the first question before planning a trip to the Basque coast — and for good reason. Depending on the time of year, the experience can be radically different.
Find all our recommendations in the complete Biarritz guide. For transfers from BIQ airport or Bayonne station, Smart Moov provides a private driver in Biarritz — fixed fare, available year-round.
When to Visit Biarritz: the Best Time for Your Stay
Biarritz is a year-round destination, but each season has its strengths and constraints. Weather, crowds, accommodation prices, available activities, local atmosphere: here is the complete guide to choosing when to visit Biarritz based on your profile and priorities.
When to Visit Biarritz UP TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS
Before going into month-by-month detail, here is a quick overview to help you decide when to visit Biarritz based on what you are looking for.
For the beach and swimming
July and August are the warmest and sunniest months (25-28°C), with sea temperatures of 20-22°C — ideal for swimming. May and June already offer pleasant beach conditions with far fewer people. September is often cited as the best compromise: sea still warm (20°C), generous sunshine, reduced crowds.
When to Visit Biarritz For surfing
Autumn and winter (October to March) are the preferred seasons for experienced surfers: powerful Atlantic swell, consistent waves and near-empty beaches. For beginner lessons, May-June and September are ideal.
When to Visit Biarritz To avoid crowds and high prices
Spring (April-June) and the shoulder season (September-October) offer the best conditions with very reasonable visitor numbers and significantly more accessible accommodation prices than in the height of summer.
When to Visit Biarritz For a family stay with children
June and September are perfect: all activities are open, the sea is warm enough, beaches are not saturated and queues at tourist sites remain reasonable. Our guide to Biarritz with kids covers all the family-friendly activities in detail.
When to Visit Biarritz For gastronomy and culture
Biarritz is worth visiting year-round for its food scene. In autumn and winter, restaurants are quieter, bistros warmer, and lower accommodation prices leave more room to invest in great tables. Our guide to where to eat in Biarritz lists all the best addresses by cuisine type.
When to Visit Biarritz: Month-by-Month Guide
January — February: Biarritz out of season
Mild temperatures for the season (10-14°C), Atlantic wind present, occasional rain that never lingers.
The city reclaims its authentic face: locals take back the streets and cafés, restaurants are quieter, the atmosphere is calm. Accommodation prices are at their lowest.
Ideal for a gastronomic stay, a thalasso wellness retreat, or simply experiencing Biarritz like a local. Surf is excellent for experienced riders — Atlantic waves are often at their best.
However, some tourist attractions (Aquarium, Cité de l’Océan) may have reduced opening hours.
March — April: the Basque coast awakens
Nature revives, days lengthen and temperatures rise progressively (13-17°C).
Terraces begin to come alive, the coastal paths are magnificent in spring light. An excellent period for the Basque hinterland — Espelette, Ainhoa, the typical villages — without crowds.
Accommodation remains affordable.
The sea is still cool (15°C) but surfers are already out in numbers. From Easter onwards, tourist attractions return to full opening hours.
May — June: the best time to visit Biarritz
May and June are often the ideal months to visit Biarritz.
Temperatures are pleasant (18-23°C), sunshine is generous, the sea warms progressively (17-19°C) and visitor numbers remain very reasonable.
All activities are open, restaurants operate normally, beaches are accessible without saturation.
Accommodation is still in reasonable price ranges. June is slightly warmer and more reliable than May weather-wise.
July — August: summer in Biarritz, lively and busy
This is high season in every sense. Summer temperatures (25-30°C), sea at 20-22°C, near-guaranteed sunshine, festive atmosphere.
Biarritz is at its most animated — surf festivals, events, evening markets, beach parties. But it is also the busiest period: the Grande Plage and Côte des Basques can be packed, parking is very difficult, queues at tourist sites grow long, and accommodation prices peak.
Book several months in advance for both accommodation and restaurants. If you are visiting in July-August, a pre-booked private driver in Biarritz eliminates parking stress and keeps the stay flowing.
September — October: shoulder season, the best value experience
September is the revelation of Biarritz for those who discover it then.
The sea stays warm (19-21°C), temperatures are pleasant (20-25°C in September, 16-20°C in October), the light is beautiful and visitor numbers drop progressively.
Restaurants recover their tranquillity, accommodation becomes accessible again, and the city returns to its local rhythm.
October marks the entry into autumn — the colours of the vegetation and cliffs are spectacular, hiking is excellent, and the gastronomy even more generous. It is the favourite period of many regulars.
November — December: mild Basque winter
The Basque winter is milder than in many French regions (10-14°C), but rain is more frequent and the Atlantic wind makes itself felt.
This period is very popular with advanced surfers, wellness lovers (thalasso, spa), gastronomy enthusiasts and Christmas market visitors (Bayonne and Biarritz both run popular end-of-year markets).
Prices are at their lowest, restaurants at their quietest, and the winter atmosphere of the city has an authentic charm that summer simply cannot offer.
Our article on what to do in Biarritz when it rains covers all ideas for making the most of grey days.
Biarritz Weather: What to Know Before You Visit
Biarritz enjoys a particularly mild oceanic climate year-round — it is one of the sunniest cities on the French Atlantic coast, with over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, comparable to Nice.
Winters are mild (rarely below 5°C), summers warm without excessive heatwaves, and rain, though present, never lingers.
What distinguishes Biarritz is the frequency of westerly winds and the Atlantic swell — which delight surfers but can make some beaches unsuitable for swimming during strong tides or autumn storms.
Average temperatures in Biarritz month by month
January-February: 10-13°C, sea at 13°C.
March-April: 13-17°C, sea at 14-15°C.
May-June: 18-23°C, sea at 17-19°C.
July-August: 25-29°C, sea at 20-22°C.
September-October: 20-24°C / 16-20°C, sea at 19-21°C / 18°C.
November-December: 12-15°C, sea at 15-16°C.
Rain can occur in any season, but prolonged episodes are rare in summer and showers pass quickly the rest of the year.
Events and Festivals: When to Visit Biarritz for the Highlights
The events calendar in Biarritz and the Basque Country can influence your choice of date. Here are the key highlights to factor in when deciding when to visit Biarritz.
Biarritz Surf Festival — July
One of the oldest surf festivals in Europe, the Biarritz Surf Festival takes place every July. Longboard competitions, animations on the Côte des Basques, vintage exhibitions and surf culture atmosphere: one of the most emblematic events of the city.
Fêtes de Bayonne — late July / early August
15 minutes from Biarritz, the Fêtes de Bayonne are one of the largest festive gatherings in south-west France (over one million visitors).
Five days in red and white at the end of July — music, bullfights, concerts and Basque gastronomy in the streets. An unmissable experience if you are in the region at this time.
Biarritz Aqua Film Festival — September
International surf and gliding film festival, held in September. Screenings, rider meet-and-greets, cultural events around surf and the ocean — a more discreet but much-appreciated event for enthusiasts.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Visit to Biarritz
Booking ahead: how far in advance?
In July-August, booking accommodation and restaurants several months in advance is essential — some establishments are fully booked by March for the summer. In May-June and September, two to four weeks generally suffice. In winter, last-minute bookings are often possible at very good rates.
Getting to Biarritz: plan ahead in high season
In July-August, traffic around Biarritz is heavy and parking very difficult, especially at weekends. Arriving via BIQ airport (5 minutes from the centre) or Bayonne station (15 minutes) is the most comfortable option. Smart Moov provides your transfer from Biarritz Airport with flight tracking, meet-and-greet and a fixed fare — available year-round.
FAQ — When to Visit Biarritz
What is the best time to visit Biarritz?
May-June and September offer the best balance of pleasant weather, open activities, reasonable crowds and accessible prices. For the beach and swimming, July-August remain the go-to months despite the crowds.
Is Biarritz nice in September?
Yes, consistently. September is often one of the most pleasant months of the year in Biarritz: temperatures between 20 and 25°C, sea still warm (20°C), generous sunshine and far fewer people than in August. The ideal shoulder season.
Is Biarritz worth visiting in winter?
Yes, for the right kind of stay. Winter in Biarritz suits gastronomy lovers, thalasso enthusiasts, experienced surfers and those seeking an authentic local atmosphere. Prices are very low and the city has a genuine charm away from the crowds. Not the period for swimming or summer activities.
What is the sea temperature in Biarritz?
The sea reaches 20-22°C in July-August, 19-21°C in September, 17-19°C in June, 14-16°C in May and October, and drops to 12-14°C in winter. A wetsuit is recommended from October to June.
Find our complete Biarritz guide, our article on what to do in Biarritz and our guide to Biarritz with kids.
Biarritz Tourism Office — events and updated information
