Hotels in Biarritz: Where to Stay in 2025

Biarritz occupies a dramatic stretch of the Basque coast in south-west France, where the Atlantic crashes against volcanic rock shelves and Belle Époque villas line clifftop promenades. The city earned its prestige in the 19th century when Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie built their summer palace here — now the legendary Hôtel du Palais — and that imperial confidence never quite left. Today the same avenue hosts surf shops, pintxos bars and world-class thalassotherapy spas, making Biarritz one of the rare places where old European glamour and laid-back surf culture genuinely coexist.

The city is compact enough to explore largely on foot, yet varied enough that your choice of neighbourhood will shape your entire stay. A room near Grande Plage means waking up to a polished resort atmosphere; a base toward Côte des Basques puts you closer to the waves and the surfer's timetable; staying in adjacent Bayonne or Saint-Jean-de-Luz gives you a more local, less tourist-facing experience at a softer price point. Whatever your priorities, the Basque Country's food scene — pintxos, fresh seafood, local Irouléguy wine — is within easy reach from all of them.

• Grande Plage & City Centre: The classic Biarritz address. Hotels, restaurants and the casino sit shoulder to shoulder with the main beach. Ideal for first-time visitors, couples and anyone who wants everything walkable.
• Côte des Basques & Plateau de l'Atalaye: The surfers' heartland, just south of the centre. The long sandy break here is where modern surfing arrived in Europe in the 1950s. Good for a younger, more active crowd who want proximity to the waves over city-centre polish.
• Biarritz Milady & Ilbarritz: The quieter southern end of Biarritz, with a calmer family beach and slightly lower noise levels. A good option if you are travelling with children or want an easy morning swim without crowds.
• Bayonne (6 km): The historic Basque capital just up the Adour river. More affordable, authentically local, and home to a superb old town and covered market. Easily connected to Biarritz by bus and train.
• Saint-Jean-de-Luz (10 km): A picturesque fishing port with a sheltered bay beach — one of the safest swimming spots on this coast. Worth considering if you prioritise calm water and village charm over Biarritz's resort energy.

• Book well in advance for July–August: Biarritz has limited hotel stock relative to its summer demand. The Grande Plage area sells out earliest; aim to secure accommodation two to three months ahead for peak season.
• Shoulder season is often the sweet spot: June and September offer warm temperatures, surf-friendly Atlantic swells and noticeably lower rates than July–August. The city stays lively but feels less pressured.
• Getting from Biarritz-Pays Basque Airport to the centre: The airport sits about 3 km from Grande Plage. Taxis take roughly 10 minutes; the local TXIK TXAK bus network connects the airport to the centre at low cost. Renting a car is worthwhile only if you plan to explore the broader Basque Country.
• A car is not necessary in Biarritz itself: The city centre, all main beaches and most restaurants are reachable on foot or by bike. Parking is limited and expensive in summer; leave the car in a peripheral car park if you drive in.
• Consider staying just outside if you are on a tighter budget: Hotels in Bayonne (around 6 km) or Saint-Jean-de-Luz (around 10 km) can offer meaningfully lower nightly rates than equivalent properties in Biarritz, with frequent bus and train connections making the commute simple.

Plan your stay in Biarritz

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