Biarritz is one of the most popular beachside towns in France. The gorgeous beaches and the great ambiance is what brings people to this spot not just from France but from all over the world. It is also a surfing paradise for people with all kinds of experience so don’t be surprised if you see surf boards at every turn.
One of the big bonuses is that there are tons of things to do in Biarritz. You’ll find that it isn’t just about ticking attractions off your list. It’s about experiencing the place.
In fact, one of the absolute best things to do in Biarritz is to kick back and really enjoy the place. Keeping things slow is the draw that took us here. We had four whole days in the region and most of the time you could find us on the beach. Trust me… This is definitely one of the best beach vibes in France but it is a bit on the pricey side when it comes to the food and accommodation.
Another great thing is that it doesn’t matter what age you are. We traveled with kids and still found plenty to keep them occupied. There’s even a golf course for those who want it. Anyways, you will have to keep reading about all the cool things to do in
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Things To Do In Biarritz
I know that surfing and chilling are at the top of the list of things to do in Biarritz when you plan your vacation but let’s look beyond that and see what the surf town has to offer.
1. Playa De Biarritz
There are a number of different beaches in Biarritz and I’ve talked about them before comparing the pros and cons of each beach. Playa de Biarritz remains one of the most popular beaches because of its amazing location. It is close to the main city, has loads of hotels close to it and the beach itself is lovely. Plus you can always get a chance to catch a quick meal or drink just a few meters away.
Most people start off their vacation by visiting this point and I totally get it. It is one of the central spots in Biarritz too.
2. Visit The Scenic Points
Biarritz has a lot of beaches but it also has a pretty rugged coast with cliff faces. This makes for some pretty dramatic views. Now you could get these views from one of the numerous hotels that line the coast or you could head to one of the view points. One cool place to catch the view is Rocher de la Vierge.
Here you can walk straight out to the sea and hear the waves lapping around you. The mother Mary and infant Jesus statue at the top is one of the sights that you can see. Note that the rocks can get slippery when they are wet so watch your step.
Note: I’ve seen people climb up to pose with the statues despite the clear warning not to. Don’t be those people! Not only is it dangerous but it can damage public property!
3. Casino Barriere De Biarritz
Did you know that Biarritz has its own casino? One of the things that it advertises is the view that you get when you play. I can’t attest to this because we didn’t visit. We were traveling with our toddlers so we checked out the more family friendly things to do in Biarritz.
One thing that I know is you need to carry your passport when you are visiting especially if you aren’t from the EU zone because other documents won’t get you in.
4. Enjoy The French Cuisine
Biarritz is a seaside location and we were expecting a lot of seafood. We were not wrong. There are plenty of restaurants here and you can take your pick from budget to extravagance. One thing that really stood out was the fact that there were so many different types of cuisines that you could indulge in. Biarritz was surprisingly multicultural and I think this is because of how many people head here from all over.
We actually ate an amazing Mexican meal while we were there. It was totally on point with some pretty snazzy cocktails in cool glasses.
5. Visit The Lighthouse
If you are looking for things to do in Biarritz that give you a great view of the coast then think about visiting the lighthouse. You can climb right up to the top but you do have to wait in line because there is a limit on the number of the people that can be in the building at the same time. This is for safety purposes.
But if you don’t want to climb up, you can simply spend some time in the gardens around the lighthouse. Its a lovely place to chill and enjoy the view. Just note that parking is tight here so if you have a car you may want to reach earlier than later.
Things To Do In Biarritz With Kids
6. Carrousel On Playa De Biarritz
One of the biggest attractions in Biarritz that my kids really descended on was the carousel. I don’t know what it is about carousels but whenever they see one, they just need to go. The one at the Playa De Biarritz isn’t a very large one. It is still a fun one. The best part is that it is easily accessible from the beach so if you want to swap things around for a bit, it’s a good idea.
7. Aquarium De Biarritz
Aquarium de Biarritz or Musee de la Mer is one of the popular things to do in Biarritz for both the young and the old. The aquarium is huge and has 60 different aquariums inside. A lot of focus has been given to educating children about the sea which is nice.
This is one of the activities in Biarritz that is perfect on a day when the weather is bad and you cannot spend time at the beach. Yes! There are those days and we had one and were glad to know that there was something to do other than sit at our accommodation.
8. Le Petit Train De Biarritz
Biarritz is pretty hilly. I love the city but when it came to walking with our toddlers for hours on end, the incline made it difficult. This is despite the fact that my kids can easily walk 5 kilometers without grumbling. That got me thinking. Getting around can be tough for people who have mobility issues or people who aren’t used to walking.
The Le Petit train is a great option. It takes you around the whole city and you can catch a glimpse of all the things to do in Biarritz while resting your heels. It is a total lifesaver when the weather is bad or if it is just too hot to walk around.
Things To Do In Biarritz: Beach Activities
10. Just Chill
One of the best things to do in Biarritz is to head to the beach and just chill. We packed up our picnic basket and headed out to a new beach each day. We sat down and let the kids play in the sand while we just took in our surroundings or read a book. It was extremely relaxing.
One thing that I have to mention is that in many places there isn’t much shade. So make sure that you take an umbrella or some form of sun protection along or you won’t be on the beach for long.
11. Surfing
Surfing is a big thing here because the wind picks up and the waves can be rough. Biarritz is also known as the home of European surf. This makes it one of the popular surfing holidays in all of Europe and probably one of the best in France.
It is colder than the Portuguese coast though. You’ll see plenty of people out there in their gear even when the water is super cold. In summer however when the weather is better, the beaches are full.
Generally speaking the best beaches for surfing are the Grande Plage and Cote des Basques. Cote des Basques is generally recommended for novice and beginner surfers.
There are even a couple of surfing schools in the area should you want to learn how to surf. They even provide all the equipment.
12. Exercising
One of the things that I really loved about Biarritz was the fact that there was exercising equipment right on the beach. You don’t have to pay to use it or anything. The idea is to help inculcate a life of fitness. I must admit that the equipment was tempting to use and I could not say no to a beachside gym.
13. Play Golf
If you love golf then there is a large golf course right next to the beach. It is a perfect way to spend some time if you have a couple of days in Biarritz. We aren’t big golfers but the kids loved watching them play. Just make sure that you carry sun protection and sun screen because it can get super hot in summer.
And there you have it. There are loads of things to do in Biarritz which can keep you entertained for days on end. The best part is that there activities for people of all ages. I think that is why we really loved the city.