Where to Stay in Biarritz: Best Hotels & Neighborhoods

Why Biarritz Deserves More Than a Weekend

Biarritz sits where the Pyrenees meet the Atlantic, and that collision of landscapes gives the city a personality unlike anywhere else in France. The surf culture is genuine, the architecture is Belle Époque grandeur, and the Basque culinary tradition runs through every market, pintxos bar, and starred restaurant in town. This is not a resort built for tourism. It was already a favourite of European royalty before the surfers arrived, and both legacies coexist comfortably today.

What the City Actually Feels Like

The city is compact and walkable at its core, but the coastline stretches further than most visitors expect, with distinct beaches each drawing a different crowd. Grande Plage is animated and central. Côte des Basques, just south, is where serious surfers and locals congregate at sunset. Inland, streets fill with independent boutiques, wine shops, and bakeries selling gâteau basque. Come in June or September for warm weather, manageable crowds, and the best surf windows.

• City Centre (Grande Plage area): The obvious first choice for visitors who want everything within walking distance. Hotels, the casino, the covered market, and the main beach are all here. Lively in summer, surprisingly pleasant off-season.
• Côte des Basques: A short walk south of the centre, this neighbourhood has a more local, laid-back feel. The beach below the clifftop promenade is legendary among surfers and is genuinely spectacular at low tide.
• Milady and Marbella: The southernmost beaches of Biarritz, calmer and more family-oriented. Good for those who want to escape the peak-summer buzz while staying within the city limits.
• Biarritz Plateau: The residential plateau above the coast offers good-value accommodation and easy access to supermarkets and the railway station. Less atmospheric than the seafront, but practical for longer stays.
• Anglet: Technically a separate commune bordering Biarritz to the north, Anglet offers more affordable hotels and direct access to the long, sandy Côte des Basques surf beaches. Bayonne-Anglet-Biarritz airport is located here.
• Bayonne (nearby): The historic capital of the Basque Country is 8 km inland and well connected by bus and train. Staying here cuts accommodation costs significantly while keeping Biarritz easily reachable for day trips.

• Book early for July and August: Summer is peak season on the Basque Coast and hotels fill quickly. Prices rise sharply from late June. Aim to book at least two to three months ahead if travelling in high season.
• Use the BAB bus network: The Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne (BAB) urban bus network connects all three towns frequently and cheaply. Line 14 links the airport to central Biarritz in under 30 minutes for a few euros.
• Choose September over August if you can: The Atlantic surf is at its best in early autumn, crowds thin noticeably after the French school return, and restaurants are less pressured. Temperatures remain warm well into October.
• Walk the coastal path: The sentier du littoral connects the main beaches and can replace a taxi for most inter-neighbourhood movement. It also gives you a genuine sense of the city's geography before deciding where to eat or what to visit next.
• Check hotel parking in advance: Central Biarritz has limited and often paid street parking. If you are arriving by car, confirm whether your hotel has a private car park or can recommend a nearby garage, especially for stays during festivals and surf competitions.

Plan your stay in Biarritz

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