For a first visit to Biarritz, base yourself near the Grande Plage and town centre for easy access to the main beach, shops and restaurants. The Les Halles market quarter suits those who want local life and dining within walking distance, Côte des Basques is best for surfers and a more laid-back coastal feel, and the Anglet side works for families and budget-minded travellers who don't mind being a little further out.
Six areas, six different trips
Grande Plage & Town Centre
Centred on Biarritz's famous main beach, this is the walkable heart of town with the casino, shops, cafés and the promenade all close by. The most convenient base if you want the landmark sights at your doorstep.
Les Halles (Market Quarter)
Built around the covered market hall, this lively quarter is full of bistros, bars and produce stalls. A short walk from the Grande Plage, it suits visitors who want to eat well and feel part of everyday Biarritz.
Côte des Basques
This stretch of coast south of the centre is a surfing icon with wide sands at low tide and a more easygoing mood. Good for those happy to walk or cycle into town for a quieter, sea-facing base.
Saint-Charles & the Hill
A residential rise set back from the seafront, within reach of the town centre on foot. It offers a calmer, more local feel while keeping the main beach and restaurants accessible.
Le Port Vieux & Rocher de la Vierge
The old port area sits among dramatic rocks, coves and clifftop paths near the Rocher de la Vierge. Compact and picturesque, it suits travellers who prioritise views and strolling over nightlife.
Anglet
The neighbouring commune north of Biarritz has long beaches, pine forest and a less pricey, more spacious feel. Best if you have a car or don't mind buses and want room to spread out.
Hotels in Biarritz
See live prices and availability for stays in Biarritz on a major booking site.
Practical basics
- Getting in
- Biarritz (BIQ) airport sits just southeast of town, a short taxi or bus ride from the Grande Plage and centre.
- Best time to visit
- Late spring and early autumn offer mild weather and thinner crowds, while July and August are warmest but busiest.
- Getting around
- The compact centre is walkable, and local buses connect Biarritz with Anglet, Bayonne and the airport.
- Currency
- France uses the euro (EUR), and cards are widely accepted across town.
Biarritz through the year
On our climate rule the best months to visit Biarritz are May, June, September and October. August is the warmest month (average high 25.1 °C) and January the coldest (11.6 °C by day, 4.9 °C at night); March has the most rain days (16 a month) and July the sunniest. Ten-year ERA5 normals via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025.
Read the month-by-month guidePlaces to stay around Biarritz
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Frequently asked
Where should first-time visitors stay in Biarritz?
Near the Grande Plage and town centre, where the main beach, shops and restaurants are all within walking distance.
Which area is best for surfers?
Côte des Basques is the classic surf spot with a relaxed vibe, though it's a short walk or cycle from the main town.
Is Biarritz walkable, or do I need a car?
The centre is easily walkable; you'll mainly want a car or buses if you base yourself in Anglet or want to explore the wider Basque coast.
Pair Biarritz with
August weather like Biarritz, fewer visitors
August is Biarritz's busiest month: visitor nights in the region run at 3.3× an average month, with average highs of 25 °C. These cities are as warm in August but less busy then.
San SebastiánSpain, 39 km away. August: 25 °C, 1.7× an average month (vs 3.3×).
BilbaoSpain, 114 km away. August: 26 °C, 1.7× an average month (vs 3.3×).
PortoPortugal, 635 km away. August: 25 °C, 1.7× an average month (vs 3.3×).Crowd levels: Eurostat nights spent at tourist accommodation by region and month, relative to each region's own average month — a measure of season, not of absolute crowding.
What Biarritz costs, how busy it gets
- Restaurants and hotels
- Price level 110 in France (EU = 100) — 10 % above the EU average. Eurostat price level index, 2024; a country-wide average.
- Everyday costs
- Consumer price level 108 in France (EU = 100), 2024.
- Visitors per resident
- 10.4 tourist nights per resident a year in the surrounding region (FRI1, 2025) — 37.9 million nights for 3.6 million residents. Eurostat.
Cheapest months to fly to Biarritz
| From | Cheapest month | Lowest fare found | Months with data |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | Nov 2026 | €34 | 5 |
| Paris | May 2027 | €56 | 8 |
| Amsterdam | Nov 2026 | €166 | 2 |
| Stockholm | Jul 2027 | €148 | 1 |
Lowest fares found in recent flight searches (Aviasales), collected 10 November 2026. A guide to price level only — fares change daily and may not be available when you search.
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals (ERA5), 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ReasonStay methodology — how areas are chosen, measured and checked
An independent guide to where to stay in Biarritz. Booking links are affiliate links (how we're funded).