Biarritz holiday travel

One of the most popular coastal resorts in France, Biarritz was once a fishing village but was made famous by regular visits from French and English royalty. Now the town attracts masses of tourists with its beautiful beaches, dynamic bars and restaurants, ideal climate and scenic natural surroundings.

Where to stay – hotels

Most of the popular hotels in Biarritz are located within comfortable walking distance to the public beaches, if not directly in the elegant city centre. Just west of the centre of Bayonne is another Biarritz area with hotels. It’s advised to secure your room ahead of time by booking Biarritz hotels online.

The elite hotels of Biarritz are located all around the city, ready to cater to all needs, depending on ones preferences. Anglet sits along the river Adour and has a couple of hotels to suit all budgets. Biarritz historical centre offers shopping, entertainment and dining facilities and hotels of all sorts can be found throughout the city. A selection of hotels in Biarritz, such as Windsor, Novotel and Radisson hotels can be found by clicking here.

Hotels in Biarritz provide the full range of facilities, such as swimming pools, casinos, gyms, and direct access to the beach. Meals on site and hotel coffee shops are available in the majority of hotels. Biarritz based hotels can usually organize boating trips and tours.

What to do

Running along the northwest shore, Biarritz’s central promenade is the quai de la Grande Plage and is lined with eateries, surfing and souvenir shops and boutiques. Along the shore is Biarritz’s most important building the Hotel du Palais, which was originally constructed as a palace for an Empress, but is now an exclusive hotel.

Biarritz’s oldest square, the place Ste-Eugenie, is lined with restaurants and is a good hang out point or way to spend the afternoon. At the foot of the cliffs below the square is the small fishers port, Port des Pescheurs. A hectic area, the port has old wooden houses and shacks. Lobster fishing also takes place here and you can enjoy fresh foods at the local restaurants and cafes.

Musée de la Mer is home to 24 aquariums of native fish in the bay area. There is a daily seal show starting at five pm. Watch sharks enjoy kilos of fish on a Tuesday or Friday at eleven am.

Other attractions of Biarritz include: the Museum of the Sea; the Imperial Chapel, which has a strange blend of architectural styles; Asiatica Museum; and the historic St. Martin’s Church, which dates back from the 11th century.

What to see – by hire car

Car hire in Biarritz is a must. The winding roads, which display a beautiful picturesque countryside, pass by quiet villages and town exhibiting both French and Spanish culture. Biarritz car hire can be arranged online and includes known car rental companies such as Hertz and Avis.

St Jean de Luz is a quaint seaside resort and active fishing port not too far from the Spanish border. The centre of town has a medieval background with both Iberian and Moorish influences. You need to hire a car to see this little gem.

The capital of the region, Bayonne is at the junction of rivers Adour and Nice and is a commercial busy town with an in-depth history. Featuring Roman fortifications, Sainte-Marie 14th century cathedral and the Bonnat museum. Easily reached from the centre of Biarritz by hire car, the ride is enjoyable in itself. More on hiring a car in Biarritz.

Worth a daytrip is Hendaye, a frontier town with Spain, situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Pyrenees Mountains. It has a variety of great beaches and an acclaimed medieval centre.