Lovers of beaches,water sports and picturesque destinations, you’re sure to fall under the spell of this small town in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Before we tell you where to stay in Biarritz, we’d like to introduce you to the town known as the Queen of the Beaches.
Just 25km from the Spanish border, on the shores of the Gulf of Gascony, lies Biarritz, a dream destination for surfers and sun-seekers alike. Here, you can enjoy the sun, the heritage and the culinary specialties of the Basque country in a dream setting. 4km of fine sandy seafront stretch along this former fishing village turned seaside resort, enjoying a mild climate and the waves of the Atlantic.
Biarritz is all about chic tourism: staying in beautiful hotels, eating out in fine restaurants and shopping in top boutiques. But to make the most of this dream destination, it’s important to find the best place to stay:
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting your accommodation in Biarritz, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. This should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Biarritz:
- $ this hostel, to enjoy Biarritz on a budget
- $$ this charming hotel, in an authentic Basque residence
- $$$ this luxury establishment, whose decor invites you to relax
Map of Biarritz’s various districts to stay in
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Biarritz, you’ll find on the map below all the Biarritz accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the different neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Biarritz
Where to stay in Biarritz
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Biarritz.
Discover downtown
Located between the Côte des Basques beach and the Grande Plage, downtown Biarritz is a timeless place, deeply steeped in history.
This history is told as much by the typical architecture of the Basque houses as by the presence of ancient monuments, such as theEglise Sainte Eugénie, famous for its Byzantine style. Culture buffs can learn more about local history at the Musée Historique de Biarritz, while gourmets will undoubtedly prefer to venture to Les Halles to sample local specialties.
This dynamic and effervescent area is dotted with numerous shops, art galleries and luxury boutiques. It's even here that the 3rd Chanel boutique was opened! Day or night, you'll also find numerous cafés, bars and restaurants where you can relax, enjoy a meal or dance the night away.
Numerous pedestrian zones have been created between the walls of the old streets, making life much easier for pedestrians. It's easy to get around the area on foot, but parking is far from easy. There are, however, a few bus stops on the outskirts of the center, extending out into the rest of the city.
It's perfectly possible to stay in the city center. In fact, staying there is ideal: you'll find plenty of accommodation and you'll be close to the main tourist attractions. On the other hand, you'll need to allow for a certain budget. Accommodation in the center of town is relatively expensive, especially in high season. So don't hesitate to book your accommodation in advance.
Nestled in a charming red house 300m from the beach, this accommodation is right in the heart of the action, close to the casino, central market and convention center. In summer, it features a terrace where you can enjoy breakfast.
Experience staying in an authentic 18th-century Basque residence with Ama Hôtel. Just 200m from the beach and casino. A charming hotel that's still close to all the places of interest.
Located on theCôte des Basquesside of the town center, this charming establishment invites you to stay in an authentic Basque half-timbered building. Colorful and spacious, it offers accommodation in the heart of Biarritz, close to all tourist activities.
A village in the city: staying in Saint Charles
Located on the edge of the town center, Saint Charles is like a small village within the town. Its typical 19th-century Basque architecture is enhanced by colorful shutters and red tiles. Thanks to its central location, Saint Charles is easy to get around: you can walk from theEglise Saint Charles to the Plage Miramar and beyond.
This picturesque district has a relaxed atmosphere, which is reflected in the many bars and restaurants that flourish here and there. TheAvenue Reine Victoria is the area where you'll find the most eateries, as it's a very commercial avenue with many boutiques.
If you're looking for accommodation in Saint Charles, you'll find better prices than in the neighboring district. However, there is also less accommodation available. Don't hesitate to make your reservations in advance if you want to enjoy a wider choice of accommodation at affordable prices.
As far as transport is concerned, you'll find the same situation as in the center: the district is very pedestrianized, and there are few bus stops. However, you only need to walk a few minutes to find transportation.
At Le Relais, you can stay in uncluttered rooms close to all points of interest. It's an 8-minute walk from the shore and just 50m from the nearest bus stop to the station and airport.
Pierre & Vacances offers apartments and studios where to stay just 300m from the ocean. The establishment boasts a terrace and a pleasant green space.
Located 600m from the beaches and town center, Saint Charles Hotel & Coliving occupies a carefully decorated rustic house. All rooms havea garden view and are close to places of interest.
Accommodation in Port-Vieux
Its name speaks for itself: the Port-Vieux is home to theformer fishing port that helped develop today's Biarritz. Formerly known for its maritime activities, notably whaling, Biarritz later became a renowned seaside resort under the influence of Napoleon III.
The narrow streets and Basque houses remain from these bygone days, as does theold port in which a few boats are still swimming, waiting to set sail. But these are not the only elements of the past to have influenced the area. If you like the old port, you'll love strolling up to the Rocher de la Vierge, from which a statue of Mary has watched over fishermen since 1865.
A metal footbridge allows you to get there and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Basque Coast. A rather unusual viewpoint that's well worth the detour.
On the Pointe du Port-Vieux, you can also enjoy the beach of the same name, topped by the strange Villa Belza, as well as theBiarritz Aquarium, the Cloche du Plateau de l'Atalaye and the Atalaye tunnel, which cuts a path through the coastal area.
As for amenities, you'll find everything here. Restaurants serve fresh fish along the esplanade, while terraces welcome surfers and swimmers after their activity. There are relatively few hotels, but if you still want to stay overnight, it's still possible. However, you'll need to set aside a sizeable budget to enjoy the view over the harbor.
This charming accommodation offers you the chance to stay in a room with an ocean or courtyard view. You'll find all the comforts you need, plus the pleasure of staying just 100m from the beach.
Just a 2-minute walk from Les Halles and 50m from the ocean, discover this charming blue-and-white building offering comfortable rooms where you can stay in peace and quiet.
Come and stay in a charming 4-star hotel overlooking the Port-Vieux beach. The atypical decor of the establishment takes you into a whole new world of vacations and idleness.
Staying on the Basque Coast: Beaurivage
Although still little-known, the Beaurivage and Côte des Basques area is renowned for being particularly pleasant. Visitors appreciate its family atmosphere and the small fishermen's cottages that crowd the shoreline. There are few tourist attractions other than the Côte des Basques beach, but its charm is enough to seduce locals and tourists alike.
Here, you can let time go by and soak up the sun. Relax, stroll and watch the surfers tackle the waves with dexterity. When you've had enough, move on to another spot and take a break on the terrace of a café, or indulge in the local cuisine of one of the restaurants.
At the far end of Beaurivage, you'll also find the Cité de l'Océan, a museum with interactive exhibits and numerous events.
On the other hand, accommodation in this district is not easy: rather residential, there are relatively few hotels, and these are quickly snapped up by holidaymakers. Prices are similar to those in Saint Charles, making it an ideal place to stay close to amenities without breaking the bank.
The best way to stay in Biarritz without breaking the bank is in a youth hostel. This one welcomes you 500m from the golden sands of the Côte des Basques, and offers a shared kitchen and lounge, as well as dormitory beds.
Stay just a stone's throw from the ocean, yet only 10 minutes from the center of town, at the Ibis Styles Biarritz Plage. Free public parking is available, ideal if you're travelling by car.
Accommodation in the La Négresse district
The La Négresse district is the most out-of-the-way, but also one of the largest. Both the SNCF train station and theBiarritz-Pays Basque airport are within easy reach. But that's not all, as La Négresse is home to some real green lungs. Firstly, there's Lac de Mouriscot, with its miles of vegetation and excellent hiking trails, and then there's Lac Marion, a little corner of paradise.
Here, you can take advantage of the surrounding calm and natural spaces to breathe and relax. But if you miss the hustle and bustle of the heart of Biarritz, you can reach it in 40 minutes on foot.
There's very little in the way of accommodation, and the availability of restaurants depends very much on where you are in the area. On the other hand, the accommodation available is often reasonably priced.
Numerous bus stops serve the main thoroughfares, making it easy to get around and get from one place to another. Located on the outskirts of the city, it's generally easier for people with cars to get to, and there's plenty of parking.
Choose to stay at the Gardenyouth hostel and enjoy a garden, terrace and communal lounge where you can relax after a day's walking and beach-going. You'll be staying less than 2km from the main Basque beaches, in a friendly atmosphere.
Stay in a sumptuous Basque château surrounded by well-kept vegetation. You'll find an outdoor swimming pool and all the comforts you'd expect from a 4-star hotel.
Summary
If you were wondering where to stay in Biarritz, don’t hesitate any longer: the city center is the ideal place to explore all the tourist activities on foot and to stay in an ideal setting, between the sea and the mountains. Port-Vieux also offers attractive accommodation and a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Gascony. But be warned, prices in these two areas tend to rise quickly.
If you’re on a budget, the best place to stay is Beaurivage, on the Côte des Basques, or La Négresse, a little further inland. Prices there are more attractive, and the atmosphere is calmer, but beware: there is relatively little accommodation, and it goes rather quickly.
Wherever you choose to stay, you’ll find the beaches and Basque sunshine to brighten up your day