Best Things to Do in Biarritz
1. Walk Along the Grande Plage
Grande Plage is Biarritz’s main beach and one of the best places to start exploring the city. Stretching along the centre of Biarritz, the beach is backed by elegant buildings and the famous Hôtel du Palais. Walk along the waterfront, stop for a coffee overlooking the Atlantic, or simply find a spot on the sand. It’s especially beautiful around sunset, when the coastline is bathed in golden light.
2. See the Rocher de la Vierge
One of Biarritz’s most recognisable landmarks, the Rocher de la Vierge is a rocky outcrop topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary. You can reach it via a metal footbridge extending over the Atlantic, with dramatic views of the waves and coastline along the way. From the rock, you’ll get fantastic views back towards Biarritz as well as along the rugged Basque coast. It’s an easy stop while exploring the waterfront.
3. Explore the Port des Pêcheurs and Visit the Biarritz Aquarium
Tucked beneath the cliffs, the Port des Pêcheurs is Biarritz’s charming old fishing harbour. Its small boats and traditional fishermen’s cottages make it a lovely contrast to the city’s grand seaside architecture. After wandering around the harbour, head to the nearby Biarritz Aquarium. Inside, you can discover marine life from the Bay of Biscay and farther afield, including fish, sharks and seals, making this an especially good option for families or a rainy day.
4. Walk to the Biarritz Lighthouse
Standing high above the coastline at Pointe Saint-Martin, the Biarritz Lighthouse is another of the city’s most prominent landmarks. The walk there follows the seafront north from Grande Plage and offers plenty of beautiful ocean views along the way. If you’re happy to tackle the steps, you can climb the lighthouse for an even better panorama over Biarritz, the Atlantic coast and, on clear days, the surrounding Basque Country.
5. Admire Biarritz’s Belle Époque Architecture
Biarritz became a fashionable European resort during the 19th century, and traces of its glamorous past can still be seen throughout the city. As you wander around, look for grand villas, ornate façades and extravagant seaside buildings. The Hôtel du Palais is the most famous example, originally built as a residence for Empress Eugénie. Exploring these streets adds another dimension to Biarritz beyond its beaches and reveals how the former fishing town became an elegant seaside resort.
6. Explore Les Halles de Biarritz
Food lovers shouldn’t miss Les Halles, Biarritz’s lively covered market. Inside, stalls are piled with fresh seafood, cheeses, cured meats, fruit, vegetables and other regional products. It’s an excellent place to discover ingredients from the French Basque Country and pick up something for a picnic. The streets surrounding the market are also packed with cafés, bars and restaurants, so this is a great neighbourhood to visit around breakfast, lunch or early evening.
7. Explore Nearby Basque Villages
Biarritz is also an excellent base for discovering the wider French Basque Country. Picturesque villages such as Espelette, Ainhoa and Sare offer whitewashed houses with colourful shutters, traditional architecture and a slower pace than the coast. Espelette is particularly famous for its red peppers, which you may see hanging from building façades. Having a Private Tour Guide and Driver makes exploring several villages in one day easier.
