Things to do in Biarritz

The climate, the gentle way of life and the splendours of the past invite you to discover Biarritz. You can take many walks through the various parts of town, from beach to beach, visiting monuments or exhibitions. The little train also offers a guided tour of the town. Even if the rocks and the weather sometimes remind you of Brittany, Biarritz is a pleasant place to live, even during stormy weather when the sea offers a magnificent natural spectacle.

The Lighthouse

Build in 1834 on Pointe Saint-Martin cliff, the lighthouse towers 73 meters above sea level. The light is visible up to forty kilometres away to sea, and can be accessed via a 248 step spiral staircase. It offers a 360° view of the Landes area of France all the way down to Spain.

Walk along the Grande Plage beach

Ideally, you should start your walk after Miramar beach, passing under the tunnel crossing under the Hôtel du Palais (Villa Eugénie). In summer, the stripy hire tents are planted all along the Grande Place, which also accommodates the children’s summer clubs. The covered seawater swimming pool and the art deco style casino, located right in the centre just by the Grande Plage, were renovated in the 1990s. Past the former Bellevue casino, your walk continues to Le Basta rock, accessible by a stone bridge spanning the fishing port with a view of the lighthouse, and Sainte-Eugénie square, from the church of the same name to the bandstand. You have arrived at Hôtel de l’Océan.

Port des Pêcheurs “Port Vieux "

A picturesque old fishing port, it is home to the crampottes, the port fishermen’s little huts, and it also has several restaurants for you to enjoy seafood and special grilled dishes. The port is home to both fishing boats and leisure craft.

Rocher de la Vierge

Facing the maritime museum, this is the traditional promenade walk to take when you visit Biarritz. Set above the ocean, this metal walkway, from Eiffel’s workshops, offers access to the rock with a little tunnel drilled through it on top of which stands the statue of the Virgin. At the very end, the jetty, a vestige of the former port ravaged by the tides, offers a magnificent view of the coast and the sea.

Port Vieux beach

The little, old port beach has preserved the architecture from the ancient baths.

La Villa Belza

La Villa Belza building can no longer be visited inside, but is the work of the architect Alphonse Bertrand. It was built between 1880 and 1895 by Marie-Belza Dubreuil, and perches on the Cachaous outcrop. It has now been turned into apartments, having been a cabaret and a Russian restaurant during the Roaring Twenties.

The Basque Coast

The surfers’ beach is accessible from the sea or from the viewpoint just a few steps higher up. In the evening, it offers beautiful sunsets and a splendid view of the coast.

Cité de l'océan

Heading towards Milady beach, the Cité de l’Océan is the other centre in Biarritz, along with the maritime museum, which focuses on the sea. Opened towards the latter part of 2010, it is a hands-on science venue that offers the public scientific and historical information about the seas in general, but specifically about the sea linked to Biarritz and the Atlantic coast.

Museums

Maritime museum: opposite Rocher de la Vierge. This art deco style building, by the Atalaye cliff plateau, was built in 1933. It houses an important collection of marine animals and birds. It has a pool and seals. The symbol of the maritime museum is a white octopus on a blue background. Planète chocolate museum: has a tasting programme, videos and objects for you to discover how they make chocolate. Asiatica museum: specialising in Oriental art, accommodates works of art from India, Tibet, Nepal and China in its 800 m². Biarritz historical museum: located in a former Anglican church, St Andrews, bought by the town in the 1980s. It houses artefacts, illustrations and photographs tracing the town’s history.

Beaches

Biarritz has 6 beaches (from north to south), monitored from June to September, ideal for surfing: Miramar beach, Grande Plage, Port Vieux, Côte des Basques, Marbella beach and Milady beach.

Golf courses

A real golfers’ paradise, Biarritz invites you to play a round on the Golf du Phare course, 3 kilometres from the hotel. This is a historic golf course, established in 1888 and still continuing British traditions. The Basque coast also has many other greens, from beginners to experts. Among others are Golf de Chiberta and Golf de l'Impératrice in Anglet, and Centre International d'entraînement d'Ilbarritz in Bidart. Discover the golf courses in and around Biarritz and the Basque Country .