Biarritz Surf The birthplace of European Surfing

The city is a great place to explore - rent a bike, a moped or just wander around the different streets filled with cafés, bars and shops and take in this laid back French city that was once Napoleon's holiday retreat.

The history of Biarritz goes back to it's beginning as a whaling port whose sailors set out across the Atlantic from the notorious Bay of Biscay. The transformation to fashionable resort began when Napoleon built his wife a summer palace overlooking the sea, now the Hôtel du Palais. Aristocracy followed, and a notable British presence left a passion for golf (there are two renowned courses) and rugby.

Modern Biarritz is very stylish, attracting the top fashion and showbiz stars albeit without the excess of Cannes or St Tropez.. The Architecture mixes elaborate mock châteaux and art deco villas with gabled Basque houses overlooking the Ocean.

One of Biarritz’s greatest pleasures is a stroll along the seafront: the sweeping, sandy Grande Plage runs on to the Plage Miramar, and further on towards Cote des Basque beach - will take about 30 minutes depending on your speed or whether you stop for a surf on either beach!

There are plenty of Spa facilities for those who want to relax, and museums for those who want to explore the rich culture of the area.

The surrounding area also has 8 golf courses - 4 of which make it into Europe's Top 100

Restaurants in Biarritz

One things Biarritz has in abundance is good restaurants, lots of them. In fact you could spend a month here and go to a different restaurant every night and still want more. While you may bet sick of baguettes in the morning you will not get tired of the amazing lunches and dinners on offer!!! After hours there are plenty of bars in the city or overlooking the beaches.

San Sebastian

If you have the time visit San Sebastian, less than 45 minutes drive across the French boarder and into Spain – well worth the trip and gives you the opportunity to surf Spain also. It has fantastic surf beaches right in the centre of town and is considered by many to be Spain’s most beautiful city.

Hossegor & Capbreton

25 minutes north of Biarritz are the surf towns of Hossegor & Capbreton. Both places offer some of the best surf breaks in Europe with major contests held there every year including the annual WSL Quiksilver Pro in September.

Please note to check airports as new routes & airlines may begin operating at any time. Below are just some that fly to the area, www.wegolo.com is a website that lets you know who flies where from different cities.

From Biarritz Airport
Biarritz has its own airport 5kms from the centre. The below arilines fly there:

www.ryanair.com
www.easyjet.com
www.airfrance.com
www.sterling.dk

How to get to Biarritz from Bordeaux:

Bordeaux Airport is approximately 2hrs drive. Bordeaux is a major airport in France and most national airlines and low cost airlines fly there including:

www.easyjet.com
www.airfrance.com
www.ba.com
www.aerlingus.com

How to get to Biarritz from Bilbao Airport

Bilbao is approximately 1hr45mins drive. Bilbao is North Spain's main airport and most national airlines and low cost airlines fly there including:

www.aerlingus.com
www.airfrance.com
www.easyjet.com
www.airberlin.com
www.lufthansa.com
www.flysas.com
www.flytap.com

Shared transfers - Share a taxi or mini bus with our shuttle bus partner here

Car Hire - We have a discount car hire section on our website where you can rent a car.

Train - The TGV stops in Biarritz and connects with all major cities in mainland Europe.

Taxi - You can get a taxi or bus from Biarritz airport into the centre of Biarritz, close to all our accommodation (takes 10 minutes). Approx cost is €15

Biarritz lies in the centre of Europe's most epic surf coastline. Running from Seignosse/Hossegor & Capbreton to Hendaye on the French coast and into San Sebastian and Zarautz on the Spanish coast you will get to experience every kind of wave imaginable.

The flow of the Bay of Biscay means the water is warm up until the end of September, so wetsuits are optional!

The city has two main beaches, the Grand Plage and Cote des Basques. The Grand Plage is the town's beautiful chic beach overlooked by the casino and Hotel du Palais. It can produce some excellent hollow waves.

On the south side of town is La Côte des Basques, one of Europe's best beginner beaches and a perfect place to base yourself on a Biarritz surf holiday. The beach is more sheltered than most of the other beaches which means beginners and longboarders can enjoy really nice mellow rides. The beach continues south and has many surfable peaks.

Both beaches host different European and World surf contests, the highlight being the Biarritz Surf Festival in July.

A km north is Anglet's stretch of beaches. You check from the road above which spot is working - some great bodyboard spots also and numerous jetties help shape the banks.

A few kms south is Ilbarritz, great place to find some hidden spots. Keep exploring south and you will come across some great beginner spots like Hendaye, and for the more experienced the pointbreak Lafitenia (beside Quiksilvers European headquarters) and the reef breaks around Guethary such as Avalanche and Les Alcyons.

The famous Belharra big wave lies 2kms off the coast from nearby St.Jean de Luz. It was made famous in 2003 when locals shocked the world by riding its 66ft peak!

Come Surf Biarritz with us…