Biarritz, a renowned surf destination in France, is located on the Atlantic coast, only a short distance away from Spain. The journey from Paris takes about four hours by train. Although the city has a modest population of around 24,000, it transforms into a vibrant hub during the summer months, attracting surfers and beach enthusiasts from both France and across the globe. In this article, I will share six attractions in Biarritz that you won’t want to miss!
1. Surfing
When it comes to surfing, Biarritz is one of the best places in Europe. There are many surf schools in Biarritz, so why not take a 2-hour lesson. I’d never tried surfing before coming to Biarritz. But I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to do it. So I decided to take a group lesson, which was the first time surfing in my life.
How to book a surf class?
The classes are available every day, and one lesson takes about 2 hours. All the equipment is provided by the school, so what you need to have is just your swimwear and towel! See how easy is it to join the class and enjoy the surf. Be sure to book the class in advance online. (Speaking of my experience, I booked it after the arrival in Biarritz. So, you can do it even one day before the class)
You can check this website to see and compare the surf schools in Biarritz and make a reservation:
Checkyeti
Also, you can find the stands of the school at Plage de la Côte des Basques, and you can ask them directly about the surf lessons. There are information boards, too. So, you can check the address of their website so that you can book the lessons from there.
It seems the price and time of the classes are almost the same among the schools.
For example, each school has a group lesson for 2 hours which costs 45 euros (40 euros except in July and August)
The starting time changes every day with the tide. So, you’ll be informed by email on the day before the class.
When I took a class, it started at 16:45.
La Vague Basque
I chose the school called La Vague Basque, and I took a 2 hours class. The instructor is really nice and cheerful. He taught us how to use a surfboard, haw to pose on it. I’d never even touched the board before, but I really enjoyed this lesson without having any fear.
The group was with 6 French girls, and I was the only one who didn’t speak French among them. But there was no problem. He spoke good English and taught me in English.
La Vague Basque
2. Relax on the beach
Even if you are not an active person, you can still enjoy Biarritz by simply relaxing on its beautiful beaches. Spend your afternoon sunbathing and unwinding. The beaches in Biarritz are spacious, allowing you to maintain personal space between yourself and other visitors, which makes for a more comfortable and private experience. The two main beaches in Biarritz are Plage de la Côte des Basques and Grande Plage.
Plage de la Côte des Basques
Plage de la Côte des Basques is quite large, allowing beach access only during low tide for about four hours a day. When I visited in late August, I enjoyed the beach from approximately 15:00 to 19:00.
Grande Plage
If you want to go to the beach in the morning, consider visiting Grande Plage. Although it is smaller than Plage de la Côte des Basques, it is beautiful and has many nearby cafes and restaurants. These two beaches are located close to each other, making it easy to enjoy both in one day. It takes only 15 minutes to walk from one to the other. Note: Be sure to bring your beach towel or something to lay on the sand, as there are no sunbeds available.
3. Experience the Gorgeous Sunset
To witness the beautiful sunset in Biarritz, head to Plage de la Côte des Basques. I arrived there at 8:30 PM, which was 30 minutes before sunset. Those 30 minutes were breathtaking as the sky transformed into a stunning shade of orange. Surfers were still catching waves, and the combination of the sunset and the surfers made the moment unforgettable. Don’t miss the bar Carlos next to the beach, where you can enjoy a delicious cocktail with a perfect view of the sunset.
CARLOS
7 Boulevard du Prince de Galles, 64200 Biarritz
4. Experience Modern French Cuisine
f you’re in Biarritz, make sure to try two popular French restaurants: Carøe and Epoq, both highly recommended by French Vogue.
Carøe
Carøe combines the charm of Danish-style fish bars with delicious tapas. It’s quite popular, so be sure to make a reservation. During my visit, I ordered Truite Laquée (grilled trout) and Betteraves Glacées Teriyaki (beetroots with teriyaki sauce). The trout, famous in this region, was grilled to perfection, allowing me to enjoy even the skin. The Betteraves Glacées Teriyaki was a recommendation from the restaurant and turned out to be the most delicious beetroot I’ve ever tasted. It melted in my mouth, and the teriyaki sauce with chili pepper—known in the Basque Country—was a fantastic pairing with the beetroot.
Epoq
Epoq offers modern French cuisine with a twist of ethnic flavors. I noticed that their menu draws inspiration from various cuisines, including Japanese and Korean. Some Asian dishes, such as gyoza and kimchi, piqued my interest and stirred my imagination about their presentation. I ordered white tuna carpaccio and grilled eggplant with miso. The dishes were beautifully presented, like works of art, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well the eggplant could serve as a main course. Both dishes were exceptional.
Carøe
For reservation: http://www.caroe.fr/ja/
19:30-23:00 （only dinner time）
51 Rue Gambetta, 64200 Biarritz
Epoq
12:00-14:00 （Lunch）19:30-22:00（Dinner）
11 Rue du Helder, 64200 Biarritz
5. Enjoy Traditional Desserts from the Basque Country
One must-try dessert is the Gâteau Basque, or Basque cake, which you can find throughout Biarritz—in patisseries, markets, and bakeries. The classic version is filled with pastry cream, but you can also find variations that include black cherry jam, almond cream, and marmalade. Gâteau Basque comes in different sizes, with individual-sized portions being perfect for solo travelers or those wanting to sample various flavors. The Gâteau Basque from Marché de Biarritz, featured above, is priced at just 1.60 euros. Among the most renowned patisseries in Biarritz is Maison Pariès, which offers a wide selection of Basque cakes and other traditional sweets.
Marché de Biarritz, situated in the heart of the city, offers a delightful selection of Basque cakes, fresh fruits and vegetables, regional hams, and cheese. Exploring the market is a fantastic way to discover amazing local products. Outside the market, you’ll also find artisan French baskets and boho-style dresses, which make perfect outfits for a day at the beach. The Marché de Biarritz is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Maison Pariès
1 Place Bellevue, 64200 Biarritz
Marché de Biarritz
Place Sobradiel, 64200 Biarritz
6. Breakfast with an Ocean View
Starting your day with breakfast while overlooking the stunning ocean is truly one of the best experiences to indulge in during your vacation. Bleu Café, situated directly across from Grande Plage, boasts a charming terrace where you can enjoy a traditional French breakfast, complete with fresh croissants and baguettes. When the weather is just right, this popular spot fills up with locals and tourists alike, all eager to enjoy their mornings at a relaxed pace—engaging in lively conversations over coffee, catching up on the news, and sharing delightful meals with family and friends.
Bleu Café
Quai de la Grande Plage, 64200 Biarritz
Access to Biarritz
Take the train at Paris Montparnasse station to Biarritz. It takes about 4 hours 10 minutes by direct train.
From Biarritz station, take a bus to the city center. It takes about 15 minutes.
To the beach, it takes 5 to 10 minutes by walk from the city center.
You can book your train from this link:
Oui SNCF official website
Check this video on Vogue Paris to know more about Biarritz!
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