When I drove up to the Phare de Biarritz lighthouse, I was already on a high. I’d just been to the otherworldly Dune du Pilat; even if that site hadn’t far exceeded my expectations, the workout of reaching the top alone would’ve seen my heart rate still elevated.
And yet even if I had been depressed as I walked up to the edge and looked down on the city of the same name, I think I would’ve walk away elated. Biarritz was just that beautiful.
Over the next few paragraphs, I’ll not only give you a run-down of things to do in Biarritz, but a crash course in how to structure your day in the French Basque Country. Whether you’re coming for the day from Bordeaux like I did, or staying overnight, I think you’ll want to continue reading.
How to Get to (and Around) Biarritz
I’ll start by explaining how to get from Bordeaux to Biarritz, since that was how I traveled. I decided to rent a car for this day trip; I wanted to be able to cover more ground in a shorter amount of time, and didn’t want to have to be beholden to train schedules. I’ll explain more about the places I went in just a few paragraphs, but the short version is that I stopped at Dune du Pilat en route to Biarritz, and in both Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Bayonne afterwards.
If you do want to go by train directly to Biarritz, you can ride a TGV. Services originate in Paris, so you can ride all the way from Paris directly to Biarritz; you can also start your train journey in Bordeaux, as I did coming by car. This train also stops in Bayonne (before Biarritz) and Saint-Jean-de-Luz (afterwards), which means you can almost replicate my road trip, even if you don’t have a car—you just won’t be able to stop at Dune du Pilat.
How to Structure Your Biarritz Itinerary
Start at the Phare de Biarritz
I’ll be honest: I’m not a massive fan of lighthouses in general (most aren’t that impressive), and none of the ones I visited in France left much of an impression on me. However, the view of Biarritz I enjoyed from the Phare de Biarritz completely set the tone of my trip: It was love at first sight, from the moment I looked down at the city.
Continue at Les Halles
If you’ve ever been to the Spanish Basque Country, it won’t shock you that eating almost always tops the list of what to do in Biarritz. One way to do this without committing in advance to what you want to eat is to head to Les Halles de Biarritz which, like other similar food halls in other cities, features a variety of both fresh and prepared foods for sale.
(Or at a restaurant nearby)
Of course, depending upon what else you end up doing on the day you arrive in Biarritz, you may want a sit-down meal. This is no problem, as there are dozens of restaurants in the blocks immediately around Les Halles. I suggest finding one whose vibe (and, ideally, whose patio) suits you, then asking the waiter which of the day’s pintxos are his or her favorites.
Walk down to the Old Port
Next up on my Biarritz travel guide is what probably isn’t an unorthodox recommendation. Namely, to walk from Les Halles down toward the sea, stopping en route in the Vieux-Port area—which, in spite of its name and the historical purpose it served, isn’t much of a port at all these days. It is extremely picturesque, however!
(And maybe hit the beach)
From here, continue to the sea itself, where at the Plage du Port Vieux (I’ll give you 10 guesses where that is), or the larger Grande Plage de Biarritz, which is the one that’s most conspicuously visible from the lighthouse. It’ll be a beautiful full-circle moment on your day, not to mention a great opportunity to relax.
Other Destinations in (and Near) the French Basque Country
As I mentioned earlier in this post, I stopped at a few other destinations both before I got to Biarritz and after I left:
- Dune du Pilat: As its name suggests, this is a massive sand dune that towers over the sea, similar in size and drama to the Tottori Sand Dunes of Japan.
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz: Similar in both scenery and cityscape to Biarritz, but at a smaller scale and with a more avant-garde cathdral.
- Bayonne: A riverfront town with mountains rising behind it, a gorgeous Gothic cathedral and a picturesque waterfront promenade that evokes Lyon.
To put it another way, the rest of the French Basque Country may be available to you, even if you don’t stay the night in Biarritz.
Other FAQ About Visiting Biarritz
Is Biarritz, France worth visiting?
Biarritz is absolutely worth visiting, so if you aren’t feeling too excited about your trip right now, don’t worry—you will be. It’s simply one of the most beautiful cities I’ve visited in France, and is even prettier than the city of San Sebastian, Spain, which it closely resembles.
What not to miss in Biarritz?
After enjoying a view of the city from the Phare du Biarritz lighthouse, I recommend heading to the city’s Old Port area, where you can have Basque-style pintxos for lunch, or explore the food stalls of Les Halles. You can then continue to other destinations in the Pays Basque, such as Bayonne or Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
How many days do you need in Biarritz?
Biarritz (or at least, the portion of it that tourists are likely to visit) is pretty compact; you can see it on a day trip from Bordeaux. However, if you have space in your itinerary, there’s an easy argument to be made for spending 2-3 days in Biarritz, particularly if you want to explore the rest of the French Basque Country.
The Bottom Line
Even if you discount all the amazing things to do in Biarritz, the city is so visually stunning that your trip will be worth it. Moreover, while Biarritz in undoubtedly the jewel of the French Basque Country, it’s also only the beginning of it. Kick off your trip with a stop at Dune du Pilat on the way in, and make sure you visit (at least) Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Bayonne before the day is done. On a very long trip, such as one month in France? Then rather that coming for the day from Bordeaux (as I did, on my most recent visit), you can consider staying overnight. In any case, I do hope you’ll consider hiring me to plan your trip. When you do, I’ll create a custom France itinerary with personalized recommendations and guidance.
