Biarritz packs a surprising number of attractions into its compact coastal footprint. From the birthplace of European surfing to Napoleon III’s summer palace, art deco villas to world-class thalassotherapy spas, the city balances beach culture with genuine sophistication. Most sights are walkable from the center and the longest walk between major attractions is 25 minutes. For a complete seasonal guide, see our best time to visit Biarritz article.
Things to Do in Biarritz: Beaches and Coastal Walks
Surfing at Cote des Basques
Cote des Basques is where European surfing was born in 1957 when American screenwriter Peter Viertel had a board shipped over during the filming of The Sun Also Rises. Today it’s a sandy beach framed by cliffs with consistent beach-break waves suitable for all levels. Surf schools line the roadside above the beach: Hastea Surf School (from 35 EUR for a 1.5-hour group lesson), Jo Moraiz Surf School, and Biarritz Surf School all operate daily from April through October. Board and wetsuit rental costs 15-20 EUR per half-day from the shops on Boulevard du Prince de Galles. The beach is accessible via a winding road or steps from the clifftop. Parking is tight in summer: arrive before 9am or park in the city center and walk 15 minutes.
Grande Plage
Grande Plage is Biarritz’s postcard beach, a sweeping curve of golden sand in the city center overlooked by the Hotel du Palais and the Casino Municipal. It’s the busiest beach in summer with sunbed rentals (15 EUR per day), lifeguard supervision (mid-June to mid-September, 11am to 7pm), and easy access from the main promenade. The beach has good facilities: public toilets, showers, and several beachfront cafes. Swimming conditions are generally calm, though rip currents can develop at the southern end near the casino. The illuminated promenade runs the length of the beach and is the city’s main evening stroll route.
Port Vieux
Port Vieux is a small natural cove tucked between Grande Plage and Cote des Basques, protected from the open Atlantic by rocky headlands on both sides. This is the best beach for families and casual swimming: the water is calm and shallow, the beach is sandy, and the surrounding rocks provide hours of crab-hunting for kids. It gets very crowded in summer due to its small size (about 80 meters wide). Arrive by 10am in July/August to claim a spot. The Port Vieux area has several good seafood restaurants, including Chez Albert on the port itself, open since 1890.
Coastal Path (Sentier du Littoral)
The coastal walking path runs from the Biarritz lighthouse in the north to the Marbella beach and beyond to Bidart in the south, roughly 8km one-way. The most scenic section connects the lighthouse past the Rocher de la Vierge, Villa Belza, Port Vieux, and down to Cote des Basques. Allow 90 minutes for this stretch with photo stops. The path is well-maintained and mostly flat, though there are stairs at certain points. It’s particularly dramatic during autumn storm swells when waves explode against the cliffs. Free access, open year-round. Start from the lighthouse at sunrise for the best light and fewest people.
Things to Do in Biarritz: Landmarks and Architecture
Rocher de la Vierge (Rock of the Virgin)
The Rocher de la Vierge is Biarritz’s most photographed landmark: a rocky outcrop connected to the mainland by a metal footbridge built by Gustave Eiffel’s workshop in 1887. A white statue of the Virgin Mary stands atop the rock, placed there in 1865 after local fishermen were rescued from a storm. The footbridge offers panoramic views along the coast north toward the lighthouse and south toward the Pyrenees. The viewing platform is free and open 24 hours. At sunset, the rock silhouette against the Atlantic is the classic Biarritz photo opportunity. The bridge can be slippery after rain and is closed in very high winds.
Biarritz Lighthouse (Phare de Biarritz)
The Biarritz Lighthouse sits on Cape Hainsart at the northern edge of the city, built in 1834 and standing 73 meters above sea level. You can climb the 248 steps to the top for a 360-degree panorama: on clear days, the view stretches from the Spanish Basque coast in the south to the Landes forest in the north, with the Pyrenees range as a backdrop. Entry costs 3 EUR for adults, free for under-12s. Open daily 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 5:30pm (extended hours in July/August). The surrounding park is a popular picnic spot and offers free sea-view benches without the climb.
Hotel du Palais
Built in 1854 as the summer palace of Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, the Hotel du Palais is now a five-star palace hotel facing Grande Plage. Even if you’re not staying (rooms from 400 EUR/night), you can visit the public areas: the imperial lounge for afternoon tea (35 EUR), the Bar Napoleon III for cocktails, and the terrace restaurant overlooking the beach. The building itself is a Second Empire architectural landmark with a distinctive E-shaped layout said to represent the name Eugenie. Guided historical tours of the hotel run on Wednesdays in summer (20 EUR, book at reception).
Villa Belza
Villa Belza is a neo-medieval castle-like structure perched on a rocky outcrop between Grande Plage and Port Vieux. Built in 1895 by architect Alphonse Bertrand, it served variously as a private residence, a Russian restaurant in the 1920s, and today as private apartments. You can’t go inside but the exterior is striking, especially when photographed from the coastal path at sunset with waves crashing against the rocks below. The name “Belza” comes from the Basque word for “black,” referring to the dark rock it stands on.
Things to Do in Biarritz: Museums and Culture
Musee de la Mer (Aquarium of Biarritz)
The Biarritz Aquarium, housed in a striking art deco building from 1933 on the cliff above Port Vieux, is one of France’s largest aquariums. It features 150 species across 50 tanks, with the highlight being the Caribbean lagoon tank and the seal basin where you can watch feeding sessions. Entry costs 16.50 EUR for adults, 12 EUR for children aged 4-12. Open daily 9:30am to 7pm (until 8pm in July/August, until midnight on Thursdays in summer). The rooftop terrace cafe has excellent views over the Atlantic. Allow 2 hours for a thorough visit. The seal feeding is at 10:15am and 5pm daily.
Cite de l’Ocean
The Cite de l’Ocean is an interactive museum dedicated to ocean science, located next to the Aquarium on the clifftop. It uses VR experiences, a 3D cinema, and interactive exhibits to explain wave formation, ocean currents, and climate. Entry costs 12 EUR for adults, 8.50 EUR for children. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm. The “Surf Zone” simulator lets you experience a virtual wave. A combined ticket with the Aquarium costs 22 EUR. Best suited for families with children aged 6-14.
Russian Orthodox Church (Eglise Orthodoxe de Biarritz)
This blue-domed Russian Orthodox church on Avenue de l’Imperatrice is a surprising landmark in a French beach town, built in 1892 for the Russian aristocracy who wintered in Biarritz during the Belle Epoque. The interior features an ornate gilded iconostasis and blue frescoed ceiling. Entry is free, open daily 10am to 12pm and 3pm to 6pm. It’s a 10-minute walk uphill from Grande Plage. The church is still active with services in French and Church Slavonic.
Things to Do in Biarritz: Markets and Food
Les Halles de Biarritz
Les Halles is Biarritz’s covered market in the city center, open daily from 7:30am to 2pm. Inside you’ll find Basque cheese (Ossau-Iraty AOC), Bayonne ham, Espelette chili pepper, fresh Atlantic seafood, and local cider. The market hall also has several tapas bars where you can eat standing at counters: Bar Jean, a Biarritz institution, serves fresh oysters and white wine from 9am. Outside the market building, stalls sell produce, flowers, and clothing. Sunday morning is the busiest and most atmospheric time to visit. For a deeper food experience, check our Biarritz neighborhoods guide for the best food streets in each quartier.
Basque Pelota at the Municipal Courts
The Basque pelota courts (fronton) near Place du Game are where you can watch this traditional Basque sport, the fastest ball game in the world with speeds over 300km/h. Amateur matches are free and take place most evenings in summer. The main court, Fronton Couvert, hosts professional matches during the summer season. Check with the Biarritz Tourist Office (Square d’Ixelles) for the weekly match schedule. The adjacent Bar du Fronton is the place for a post-match drink with players and locals. For more information, see our Biarritz weather by month.
For more information, see our Biarritz events and festivals.
For more information, see our where to stay in Biarritz.
For more information, see our Biarritz travel tips and FAQ.
