Atlantic waves crash on the beaches of this cosmopolitan city, a crossroads between France, Spain and the Basque country.
Biarritz comes alive in the evenings, when surfers mingle with locals around Les Halles, the central market.
With everything in walking distance, and just a two-hour flight from the UK, it’s a glitzy but affordable weekend away…
The beach in Biarritz. The cosmopolitan city sits at a crossroads between France, Spain and the Basque country
WHERE TO STAY
La Casa Cosy
In the heart of Biarritz but on a quiet street, these stylish Scandi-style apartments set in a traditional French terraced house have wooden floors and balconies.
Go for the apartment with a terrace and enjoy breakfast in the sun.
Flat with terrace from £71 per night (lacasacosy.com). Address: 11 Rue Champ Lacombe, 64200
Hôtel Au Bon Coin
Just 400 m from Grand Plage —Biarritz’s most popular beach — this hotel with friendly owners offers 16 rooms with charming views.
Doubles from £68 B&B (auboncoin-biarritz.com). Address: 5 Rue de la Cité, 64200
With everything within walking distance, and just a two-hour flight from the UK, Biarritz, pictured, is a glitzy but affordable weekend away
Chambre d’Hôtes Arima
Just a six-minute walk from the city centre, Annie and Marc’s informal but chic B&B houses three guest rooms which have access to a small heated pool and luscious garden.
Marc, an architect, and Annie serve a continental breakfast of yoghurt, juice, homemade fruit salad and freshly-baked pastries.
Doubles from £86 B&B (arima-biarritz.com). Address: 13 Bis, Avenue du Parc Bon Air, 64200
WHERE TO EAT
Les Halles
You can’t come to Biarritz without visiting the historic market in the centre of town. Forty traders sell locally-sourced seafood, meats, cheese, Basque bakes, fruit and vegetables.
The bustling street market of Les Halles, where 40 traders sell locally-sourced fish, meats and cheese
Some of the pintxos (toothpick food) that costs from as little as 80p a plate in Biarritz
Visit the fishmongers and try the oysters which are served in batches of a dozen and paired with a glass of good French wine for just £6 — the perfect cure for a hangover.
Open daily from 7.30am-2pm in winter and 7.30am-2pm and 6-9pm in summer
Address: 11 Rue des Halles, 64200 (halles-biarritz.fr)
Bar Jean
Large tables are shared at this bustling restaurant next to the central market that serves classic French food — and tapas for £1.50 apiece. Go for the plump Atlantic prawns, oysters and grilled cockles.
Address: 5 Rue des Halles, 64200 (barjean-biarritz.fr)
Etxola Bibi
Join the in-crowd at this seafront bar which overlooks La Cote Des Basques beach — the perfect spot for a sunset drink.
Wooden benches have sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The slightly more expensive local beer is justified when paired with pintxos (toothpick food) that costs from as little as 80p a plate.
Address: Square Jean Baptiste Lassalle, 64200
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Learn to surf
Biarritz is said to be the birthplace of surfing, so learn how to ‘pop up’ and ride a wave at Biarritz Surf Training School on Cote des Basques beach, which runs lessons from their beach tent hut, which has changing rooms.
£35 for a 90-minute ‘initiation course’, including equipment (see surftraining.com/en)
Watch the sun set
Rocher de la Vierge, pictured, which is a landmark rock formation on the Bay of Biscay
A short walk along a metal footbridge, Rocher de la Vierge, a landmark rock formation surrounded by crashing waves in the Bay of Biscay, has dramatic views of the ocean, city, and its beaches, with a Virgin Mary statue on top. Napoleon III decided to connect the rock with the cliff by a wooden bridge. A good spot to watch surfers at sunset — just don’t get soaked.
Address: Espl. de la Vierge, 64200
Hike up a lighthouse
Standing 73 m above sea level on a rocky cliff, the Phare de Biarritz lighthouse has sweeping ocean views which, on a sunny day, is well worth the 248 steps it takes to get to the top balcony.
There’s a bar at the bottom if you’re thirsty. Open on weekend afternoons in winter and morning and afternoons every day in summer.
£2 entry. Address: 60 B Espl. Elisabeth II, 64200.