A day in Biarritz and on the Basque coast

Just past Bayonne, Biarritz is where the Basque coast begins: cliffs, rocks and big waves take over from the long sandy beaches of the Landes. Elegant, lively and easy to explore on foot, it makes a perfect day out from the studio.

The Grande Plage and the seafront

The Grande Plage, overlooked by the Hôtel du Palais, once Empress Eugénie's summer villa, is the heart of Biarritz. Follow the seafront promenade past the casino and the surfers towards the old fishermen's port.

Rocher de la Vierge and the fishermen's port

The Rocher de la Vierge, a rock linked to the shore by a footbridge, is the town's emblem. On days with a big swell, the waves crashing around it are spectacular. Next to it, the tiny Port des Pêcheurs has colourful cottages and a few seafood restaurants.

The lighthouse

To the north, on Pointe Saint-Martin, the Biarritz lighthouse offers a sweeping view of the coast, from the Landes to Spain on a clear day. You can climb its 248 steps (self-guided, small fee): every day in July and August (10 am to 7 pm), in the afternoons in June and September, and mostly at weekends the rest of the year. It may close in bad weather; check times on the Biarritz tourist office website.

Côte des Basques

South of the centre, the Côte des Basques is where surfing first arrived in France, in the late 1950s. Go late in the day: at low tide the beach stretches below the cliffs and the sunset over the Basque mountains is superb. At high tide, the beach almost disappears.

The market hall

The Biarritz market hall (les Halles), right in the centre, is ideal for a casual lunch: Basque produce, fish, sheep's cheese, and small tapas bars all around. It opens every day from 7.30 am to 2 pm, and in July and August also in the early evening (6 to 9 pm).

Getting there from the studio

Central Biarritz is about 20 km away, around 30 minutes by car outside rush hour, longer in summer.

• By car: parking in the centre is paid and hard to find in summer. The free Iraty park-and-ride on the edge of town is linked to the centre by a summer shuttle bus: the easiest option.
• By bus: take Txik Txak line 24 from the Place Jean Rameau stop (about 500 m from the studio) to Bayonne station, then the T1 Tram'bus to Biarritz town hall. Allow 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes including the change, Monday to Saturday (line 24 does not run on Sundays).

Coming from Biarritz airport? It is only a few minutes from the town centre: see getting here and around.

What next?

If you enjoyed Biarritz, keep heading south: Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Espelette and even San Sebastián are within easy reach. See our Basque Country day trips. For a more authentic city, do not miss Bayonne.

After a busy day, the studio is waiting for you in quiet Saint-Martin-de-Seignanx.