The best time to visit Biarritz depends on what you’re after: summer beach weather, uncrowded surf, festival season, or budget-friendly rates. The sweet spot for most travelers is September, when the sea is still 20°C (68°F), hotel prices drop by 20-30% from August peaks, and the month-long dance festival Le Temps d’Aimer fills the city with free performances. May and June offer the best value for pre-summer warmth without the crowds, while July and August deliver the classic beach holiday with all facilities open but at premium prices.
Best Time to Visit Biarritz: Summer (June to August)
If you want guaranteed beach weather and a lively atmosphere, aim for July and August. Daytime temperatures sit at 25°C (77°F), the sea warms to 21-22°C (70-72°F), and every beach club, surf school, and waterfront restaurant is open. The trade-off is serious: hotel prices double or triple from May levels, Grande Plage is packed by 11am, and you’ll need restaurant reservations even for lunch. French domestic tourism peaks in August when most of the country takes holiday. June is a good compromise: warm enough for the beach, the Wheels and Waves festival brings a vibrant scene, and prices haven’t yet hit their July spike.
Best Time to Visit Biarritz: Shoulder Seasons (April-May and September-October)
May and September are the two standout shoulder months. In May, daytime highs reach 19°C (66°F), rain decreases to 14 days from the winter norm of 17, and the city is green and fresh before the summer crush. Hotel rates are 40-50% lower than August and most attractions are open. September matches July for warmth but with fewer tourists: the sea temperature of 20°C (68°F) is ideal for swimming, and you’ll get 7 hours of daily sunshine compared to July’s 8. October is the pick for surfers: autumn swells arrive, water stays at 18°C (64°F), and lineups are uncrowded. April can be wet (16 rain days) but offers rock-bottom prices and the first warm terrace days.
Best Time to Visit Biarritz: Winter (November to March)
Winter in Biarritz is mild by European standards: daytime highs of 12-15°C (54-59°F) and nighttime lows rarely below 5°C (41°F). You won’t get beach weather, but you’ll get empty beaches, winter surf swells for experienced surfers, and hotel rates that drop to 30-40% of August prices. November is the wettest month at 140mm of rain, so if you pick a winter visit, target February (driest winter month at 100mm) to coincide with FIPADOC film festival or March when the first spring warmth appears. The Christmas market runs through December and the Hotel du Palais throws a major New Year’s Eve event. Storm-watching from the lighthouse during Atlantic depressions is a local winter pastime.
Best Time to Visit Biarritz: For Surfing
Biarritz is the birthplace of European surfing and has rideable waves year-round. Beginners should aim for June through September, when smaller 2-4 foot waves and 18-22°C (64-72°F) water make learning comfortable. The main surf schools on Cote des Basques and Grande Plage operate daily through summer. Experienced surfers should target September to November: the Atlantic autumn swells produce 6-10 foot faces, water is still 15-18°C (59-64°F), and 3/2mm wetsuits are sufficient. Winter (December to February) brings the biggest swells but also the coldest water at 12°C (54°F), requiring a 5/4mm wetsuit with hood and boots. The Quiksilver Pro France WSL event has been held at nearby Hossegor (30km north) in October, putting the region on the pro surfing calendar.
Best Time to Visit Biarritz: For Festivals and Events
Plan around these dates: mid-June for Wheels and Waves (motorcycles, surf, and music), the second week of August for the Fetes de Biarritz (traditional Basque festival with parades, pelota matches, and fireworks), and the second week of September for Le Temps d’Aimer la Danse (75 dance performances, many free). The Biarritz Surf Festival in July celebrates the city’s wave-riding heritage with competitions, film screenings, and beach concerts. FIPADOC, the international documentary film festival, runs for a week in late January or early February. For a detailed month-by-month temperature and rainfall breakdown, see our Biarritz weather by month guide.
Best Time to Visit Biarritz: Cheapest Months
The cheapest months are November, January, and February, when hotel rates can be 60-70% below August prices. November has the lowest occupancy of the year, so you can negotiate upgrades and find last-minute deals at hotels that normally sell out in summer. The trade-off: November is the wettest month (140mm), many beachfront businesses close from November through March, and you’ll need indoor backup plans for rainy days. March and April offer a middle ground: prices are still low, rain decreases, and the city wakes up from winter hibernation. Avoid the Christmas/New Year week (December 22 to January 2) when rates spike for the holiday period. For more information, see our things to do in Biarritz.
For more information, see our Biarritz events and festivals.
For more information, see our Biarritz neighborhoods guide.
For more information, see our where to stay in Biarritz.
For more information, see our Biarritz travel tips and FAQ.
