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The Top 9 Must-See Tourist Activities In The City – OUR CROSSINGS
Last updated on the 2nd of September, 2025
The infinite drizzle and a lack of colour make for a very gloomy atmosphere during the seemingly never-ending winter months on Ireland’s West Coast.
And as much as I love the smell, the sound and the feel of the rain, and as much as I have learned to love it, I was more than happy to leave the dark and grim skies of Sligo behind.
Setting off to France with red dawn blossoming over a distant horizon, the prettiest we have seen in a long time, we were openly dreaming of slow mornings, country roads and wide-open windows.
We were looking towards careless days on the coast with iridescence rays of sunlight pealing into every cavern along its shores and highlighting every tiny particle hanging in the spring air.
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Best things to do in Biarritz
Biarritz is a wonderful coastal town located in the French Basque Country, just a few kilometres from the Spanish border, that has counted Sinatra, Hemingway, Chanel and Napoleon II among its fans.
The town became popular after Emperor Napoleon III and his wife, the Spanish Empress Eugénie, made it their favourite summertime destination.
Much of the town was built on the whaling industry, and the remnants of this, like the old watchtowers, still stand today.
While the top things to do in Biarritz would be to enjoy the shopping, local food and relaxing on the beach, there are also a few sights that you just can’t miss.
So, in this post, we offer you the top 10 things to do during your visit to Biarritz.
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#1. Enjoy Colourful Sunsets
Biarritz is beautiful at any time of the day, particularly at sunset.
On the first night setting sun was sending a beautiful orange glimmer across the water, faintly touching the cliffs. The peaceful evening paved the way for yet another bright and beautiful night by the ocean to remember.
As the sun begins to sink across the horizon, the skies are inflamed with an amazing range of colours, casting a magical light over Biarritz.
As sunsets are one of life’s most beautiful natural phenomena, make sure you schedule some time to witness their splendour.
Whether you watch it from one of the sandy beaches, from the clifftop or with a cocktail in hand, you’ll be blessed with striking views of orange reflecting against soft ocean waves.
*Fun Fact – the first swimsuit was made by Jeanne Lavin, and it was created and designed in Biarritz
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#2. Stop by Rocher du Basta
Rocher du Basta is a little islet jutting out into the Atlantic that’s connected to the mainland by a beautifully arched stone bridge.
Set against lush greenery, it is one of Biarritz’s most iconic sights, offering sweeping views of the Biarritz coastline.
The small islet is abundant with nature and has many benches where you can sit down and take in the stunning views.
During the high tide, the bridge leaps over the sea, but once the tide is out, a set of stairs will lead you down to the sandy beach underneath it.
Nearby Rocher du Basta, you’ll find Église Sainte-Eugénie, a charming neo-Gothic church by the sea.
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#3. Relax on One of the Beaches
As one of the most popular beach destinations in southwestern France, Biarritz offers a great variety of beaches to choose from, each more beautiful than the last.
- Centrally located, Grande Plage is Biarritz’s main beach. It has soft white sand, incredible ocean views and perfect waves. It’s a great place to sunbathe and relax, and due to its central location, it offers great amenities.
- Côte des Basques is a wonderful soft sand beach loved by sunbathers and surfers alike, offering stunning views of the Spanish coast. Accessible via a staircase from the cliffs, the beach disappears during high tide; therefore, you have to keep an eye on the tides.
- Plage Du Miramar is a peaceful beach located at the end of the Grande Plage. Swimming is allowed, but you have to be careful due to strong currents.
- Small, secluded and more intimate, Port-Vieux beach sits right in the middle of the town and has a lot of charm thanks to its location and size. The views from this beach are stunning, as you can see the Rocher de la Vierge and the splendid villa Le Goéland.
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#4. Wander around Allée Port des Pêcheurs
A short walk from Grande Plage will bring you to a little protected harbour that was built by Napoleon III in the 1800s and served the fishermen of the city.
Wander around the quiet marina with beautiful sea views where the row of little fishermen’s cottages with blue, red and bright green shutters are now converted into restaurants catering to tourist needs.
The houses you see here are called crampottes, and they are just as they were when they were built in 1870.
Many of the restaurants here serve fresh-off-the-boat fish as well as oysters, crabs, and other classic dishes from Basque cuisine.
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#5. Stop by Les Halles Food Market
Originally built in 1885, Les Halles market, with its cast-iron supports, is a must when in Biarritz.
A vast collection of gourmet food counters with regional cheeses, pastries, fresh fruit, and vegetables is on sale in Les Halles food market.
It is the best place to explore the food culture of the French Basque Country because it is more than just a place to pick up your groceries. It also serves as a place to discover local delicacies and socialise with locals.
We could not resist returning every morning to pick up lunch essentials and chat with locals.
Les Halles food market opens early every day, and you can even join a local market tour that offers food tasting and insights into culinary traditions.
You can also nip into the adjoining seafood market to indulge in oysters that are filleted for you while you wait.
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#6. Visit Biarritz Lighthouse
Biarritz lighthouse, built in 1834, marks a place where the ocean meets the land, and the view from the top of it delivers fantastic views of its beaches and orange rooftops.
This slender lighthouse clings to the cliff 73 meters above sea level, and you have to climb over 200 steps to the very top for the all-embracing coastal views.
The spiral staircase is tiny, and if it is busy, you have to patiently wait in a queue for your turn as the number of visitors is limited due to the small space.
The lighthouse is surrounded by a lovely tree-lined park with wooden benches scattered throughout so you can sit down and enjoy fantastic sea views.
Free parking is available on site, and there is a lovely café next door as well as a small food truck serving beverages and food.
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#7. Explore Biarritz Aquarium
Located in a stunning building perched on the cliff-top and displaying various exhibits over several floors, Biarritz Aquarium is a wonderful place to lose yourself for a few hours.
Take your time to wander from one aquarium tank to another and enjoy the displays of colourful marine creatures and be amazed by the fish tank where the sharks, groupers & barracudas swim along with each other.
It is a beautifully well-kept aquarium, and when we visited in May, it was quiet; you could take your time observing the creatures, not feeling rushed or pushed out of the way as we have experienced at some venues.
The aquarium, which is the second largest in France, has an abundance of marine biologists who are working hard to preserve local marine life.
What’s more, the scientific team gathers data on stranded marine mammals, grows coral and researches the reproduction of species presented in the aquarium.
*Good to know – If you time your visit accordingly, you can enjoy one of the main events – the feeding of the seals, which usually takes place twice daily. The keeper explains the habits of these amazing marine creatures as they munch on fresh mackerel.
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#8. Walk Across the Bridge to the Virgin’s Rock
While Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Biarritz has a wonderful landmark designed by the same architect, Gustave Eiffel.
In 1887, he constructed a metal footbridge that connects the mainland to the Virgin’s Rock located out in the Atlantic.
You can walk over the bridge to the rocky outcrop and onto the large observation deck to watch the sunset and take in an amazing view of the city bathed in golden light.
It is a great place for photo opportunities as you can take in surfers riding the rolling waves, see the city’s famous landmarks such as the lighthouse and the luxurious Hôtel du Palais, as well as see the rugged peaks of the Spanish Pyrenees on a clear day.
The rock takes its name from the white statue of the Virgin and Child atop a craggy rock
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#9. Check out the books at Bookstore Biarritz
If you are keen on books, stopping by Bookstore Biarritz is a must as it contains many wonderful nooks and crannies as well as a majestic staircase, a comfy sofa to sit on and leaf through a book or two.
The bookstore is full of references: tourist guides, literary classics, comics, paperbacks, beautiful art books, the latest essays, novels and children’s books, books from local publishing houses and so on.
To top it all off, the booksellers are very friendly and competent.
- Address: 27 Pl. Georges Clemenceau, 64200 Biarritz
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How To Get To Biarritz
Biarritz Airport | can be easily accessed from various cities, as both local and international flights arrive here.
From the airport into the city centre | The best option to reach Biarritz from the Airport is to get a taxi. Travel time is just around 10 minutes, and you can expect to pay 22 euros. Of course, the fare can change depending on the number of passengers travelling, traffic, seasonality and time of the day.
By Train | With a TGV station and a dense TER network, Biarritz can also be reached by train. Biarritz is located 2 hours from Bordeaux, 1 hour from Pau, 2 hours from Toulouse and 30 hours from Paris Montparnasse.
*Good to know – Biarritz Airport only has one terminal, and the taxi rank is located outside of the Arrivals Hall.
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Getting Around Biarritz
If you have plenty of time, walking around the city is the best way to see many of its sights, as some of the most scenic roads and paths in Biarritz hug the seafront.
There is also a good network of buses that links Biarritz with seaside towns to the south and north. If you’re looking for more freedom and flexibility, you’ll want to rent a car as Biarritz is just one of many jewels in the Pays Basque.
This way, you could visit sleepy Saint-Jean-de-Luz, located just 20 minutes south by road or travel further north to visit surf town Hossegor.
You could also rent a classic or electric bike from Joe Bike to see the surroundings on two wheels.
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Where To Stay In Biarritz
The best place to stay in Biarritz would be in one of the central neighbourhoods, from which it would be an easy feat to discover all the incredible things the lovely surf town has to offer.
With everything from guest houses and grand châteaux to intimate townhouse hotels and luxury hotels, there is something for a whole array of budgets and interests, even if you want to be treated like royalty.
- Less Halles is the vibrant heart of the city, anchored around Biarritz’s main market, which has a few lovely hotels to choose from, such as:
- Ama Hotel | a lovely residence designed by the famous Basque architect Raymond Larrebat Tudor, offers well-decorated and spacious rooms just 200 metres from the beach.
- Hotel Villa Koegui | a 4-star boutique hotel, with well-appointed rooms, an extensive continental breakfast and an outdoor terrace.
2. You could also stay on or near the Grand Plage – the most touristy and posh part of the city with lots of attractions and amenities within walking distance.
- Hôtel Le Windsor | is a 4-star hotel with a fantastic view of the ocean. It’s located in what used to be a private mansion and has a very elegant design.
- Hôtel Le Café de Paris | a viewpoint from every room on Place Bellevue and the sea, and with a restaurant overseen by Michelin-starred chef Cédric Béchade, it’s a fantastic place to spend the night.
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Discovering the French Basque Country
Biarritz is located on the Bay of Biscay, in the French Basque Country and is unlike any other part of France as it didn’t go through heavy industrialisation; therefore lets you discover an authentic territory, rich in culture and rural beauty.
So, don’t just tick off the top sights, make sure you embrace the Basque spirit.
The region has its own architecture, language, culinary traditions and cultural landscape. The land here is breathtakingly distinctive – wild coastline, the turquoise blue waters, and the rugged foothills of the Pyrenees will surely fill your heart.
The landscape here has been inhabited by Basque people for thousands of years, and their language, Euskara, bears no relation to any other languages spoken in Europe.
You’ll come across the language everywhere you go – on shop signs, restaurant menus and on the TV; overflowing with harsh Xs, Zs and Ks, it’s about as distinct from the French language as it gets.
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Now, over to you!
Have you been to Biarritz? Let us know in the comments below!
Let us know if you are planning a visit to Biarritz and have travel-related questions!
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