Biarritz, what to see and do.

Biarritz, the most elegant city of all our beloved Iparralde (French Basque Country).

Biarritz, also known as Miarritze, is undoubtedly one of the most impressive areas of the so-called ‘Pays Basque’. A destination located by the sea and the Pyrenees, which was once chosen by European royalty to enjoy their vacations. No wonder. Its thermal waters, its idyllic streets and more than 6 kilometers of sandy beaches and cliffs create a space worthy of admiration.Biarritz is a mecca for sports such as Basque pelota, surfing and golf, as witnessed by the thousands of people who visit the city to enjoy their favorite sport. We must take into account that this urban center is located less than 40 minutes by car from Donostia San Sebastian, a strategic location that makes it possible to visit Biarritz on any trip to the Basque Country. Ready to know what to see in Biarritz?

Biarritz is one of the most popular destinations on the coast of Iparralde, a city that fuses some of its most ancient traditions with the typical elegance of the French capital. A place we recommend you to visit and we are sure you will love it.

What to see in Biarritz.

If you want to discover each and every one of the places we recommend you to see in Biarritz, we recommend you to read this section with determination. In case you have any questions, we recommend you to use the comment system that you will find at the end of this article to let us know. We will try to respond as soon as possible.

Rocher de la Vierge (Rock of the Virgin)This islet located next to the Aquarium of Biarritz and the beach of the old port, blesses the return to port of the Basque fishermen. Legend has it that one stormy night the whalers of Biarritz suffered a shipwreck, most of them could be saved thanks to a strange light that guided them to land. The fishermen decided to place a statue of the virgin in that place as a sign of gratitude. Since 1887, when the Eiffel workshops built the footbridge that connects the island with the land, the Rock of the Virgin has become one of the most visited places in Biarritz.

Rocher du BastaAlthough this islet is not as well known as the previous one, this picturesque rock located 500 meters from Rocher de la Vierge, next to the port, offers the opportunity to enjoy several viewpoints from which to contemplate the magical sunsets of Biarritz.

CasinoThis emblematic building located in front of the sea, a few meters from the main beach of the town, was built in 1929 and renovated in 1990. This building was declared a historical monument in 1992.

Hôtel du PalaisThis building was built in 1854 by order of Napoleon III, as a summer residence for the Empress Eugénie. After the death of Napoleon III in 1873, Eugénie sold the property to the Bank of Paris. It became first a casino and then a hotel. A fire destroyed the building in 1903 and it was rebuilt between 1903 and 1905. This last remodeling made it possible for it to become a luxury hotel with 120 rooms and 33 suites.

Biarritz LighthouseThis structure built in 1834 on Cape Heinsart, more than 70 meters above sea level, marks the boundary between the sandy coast of the Landes and the rocky coast of the Basque Country. A building from which an incredible panoramic view is obtained.

PortNext to the church of Saint Eugenie (Sainte Eugenie), we find the port of Biarritz. An authentic and picturesque place, just a few meters from the city center. Nowadays, we find different bars and restaurants next to the moorings of the pleasure boats.

Church of Sainte EugenieThe church of Sainte Eugenie is located next to the port of Biarritz, between the cliffs. A temple that was built between 1898 and 1903 on a small Romanesque chapel. The crypt holds the remains of the first priest of this church, Gaston Larre.

Aquarium of BiarritzAquarium: This Aquarium is located on the coast, next to the Virgin’s Rock. In its tanks you will find more than 150 species from the Bay of Biscay to the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. If you want to know more about this space, we recommend you to read our article about the Aquarium of Biarritz.

Orthodox ChurchThis Byzantine temple was built in 1892 with St. Petersburg symbologies as a sign of the agreement between France and Russia. Its dome is an addition to the artistic beauty of Biarritz. In 2015 this church was declared a Historical Monument. Its location in front of the Hôtel du Palais is another of its many attractions.

MarketThe Biarritz market, better known as the Halles de Biarritz, is one of the most recommended places to enjoy the local gastronomy. A meeting place where the different stalls create a lively atmosphere. The bars, restaurants and stores of the market are open every morning of the year, a unique opportunity to buy a gastronomic souvenir.

ThalassotherapyIf the city of Biarritz is known for something, it is for its Thalassotherapy. Since this new concept was created in the 70’s, many people have visited the city to enjoy relaxing massages and many other treatments.

City of the oceanLa Cite del Ocean in Biarritz is located next to Milady beach, practically on the border with the neighboring town of Bidart. This space encourages us to discover each and every one of the secrets of the ocean in a playful and dynamic way.

SurfSurfing is one of the most practiced sports in the city. No wonder. Biarritz has become in recent years one of the most popular European destinations for surfers. Witness to this are the more than 15 schools that we find in the city and the factories of Quiksilver, Billabong or Rip Curl that we find nearby.

Villa BelzaOn the cliffs themselves, near the port, stands one of the historic buildings of Biarritz. It is also one of the most photographed places (next to the Rock of the Virgin). Its figure, mysterious and interesting, has led to many legends being written about it. In fact, its name, Belza, Beltza, black in Basque, makes clear its mysticism. After being the protagonist of multiple events and parties in the 1920s, it was burned and abandoned. Today it houses several apartments.

Although these are some of the most emblematic and important places in Biarritz, they are not the only ones. If you want to know the city in depth, we recommend you to visit other places such as the Sabaou cemetery, the monument to the fallen, the Asian museum, the tourist office or the imperial chapel.

Beaches of Biarritz.

Biarritz is one of the towns with the most kilometers of beaches in the North Basque Country. To speak of Biarritz is to speak of great beaches and imposing cliffs. In fact, this city of less than 25,000 inhabitants has 6 beaches and several kilometers of cliffs. Almost nothing. Here is a summary of all the beaches from right to left facing the sea.

Where to eat in Biarritz.

Biarritz has gastronomic establishments for all tastes and colors. But in this case, we want to recommend a good, nice and cheap place. Characteristics that nowadays are not easy to find in Biarritz. The restaurant in question is the creperie Le Blé Noir. Its location, on the coast, next to the Rocher du Basta, in the center of Biarritz, makes it ideal for any traveler visiting the city. Of course, it is usually in high demand. We recommend you to go with time. As for the dishes, being a creperie, the recommendation is clear, savory crepe as a main course and waffle for dessert.

How to get to Biarritz.

Regardless of what type of transportation we use, there are several ways to get to Biarritz. Here is a summary of some of them:

Video of Biarritz.

As usual in all our publications, we have decided to publish a video about what to see in Biarritz. If you like this kind of videos we encourage you to subscribe to our YouTube channel to discover all the experiences and places we recommend in the Basque Country, we are waiting for you!

History.

Biarritz was known as one of the most important whaling ports in all of Iparralde. In fact, its coat of arms, its coat of arms, has a Basque whaling ship as the main element. A fact, which makes clear the fishing tradition and history of the city. All this changed when the Empress fell in love with the city in 1854, buying an incredible plot of land in front of the sea. It was on this plot that the palace that today houses the Hotel du Palais was built. Since then, the city has been changing, becoming a kind of spa town that has been visited by the vast majority of European royalty. Today, this emblematic city is known for its high quality of life, surfing, spas and golf courses.

What to see near Biarritz.

Biarritz is one of the places we recommend you to visit in Iparralde (French Basque Country), but it is not the only one. We leave you a short list with some of the places we like the most in this area. We hope you find them helpful.

Experiences in the Basque Country.

If you are looking for experiences to enjoy Euskadi, we recommend you to visit our reservation center. We are sure that you will find authentic and original activities that will help you to enjoy your stay with us. We leave you some of the most demanded in case they are of your interest.

As you have seen, Biarritz is one of the most beautiful and interesting destinations in the North Basque Country. If you have any questions, we recommend that you use the comment system below these lines to send them to us. We will try to respond as soon as possible. Ondo pasa!