What to visit in Biarritz? Here is my walking tour of the must-see sites to visit in Biarritz. You will also find the Google Maps map of the route to follow in pedestrian GPS mode.
This walking route provides an overview of Biarritz with the discovery of its emblematic sites and its main monuments.
In this article, I share with you not only my touristic tour of Biarritz step by step but also my advice to make the most of your visit!
Visit Biarritz in 1 day
The very chic city of Biarritz offers exceptional views of the Basque coast and the Bay of Biscay. Its steep cliffs, rocky islets and beaches attract many summer visitors. But Biarritz is not just a posh seaside resort and an excellent surfing spot.
Indeed, Biarritz has been the summer destination of many great historical men and women: Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie, Queen Victoria, Kings Alphonse Xlll, Edward VII and VIII and many others. Many castles and beautiful villas testify to this prestigious past that you can discover by visiting Biarritz in 1 day.
You will discover splendid buildings and Art Deco buildings and a very rich cultural and gastronomic heritage.
To discover the city of Biarritz in 1 day, you can choose between:
- An original tour of Biarritz by segway
- A private tour of Biarritz with a guide
- A tour of Biarritz in a tourist train: See info
- Ou visit Biarritz on foot in 1 day :
This is my tourist walking tour which is done in 1 day and which allows you to see theessential of Biarritz at your own pace. See detailed itinerary below.
What to visit in Biarritz?
Here is the list of must-see places to visit in Biarritz:
- Biarritz Lighthouse
- The Great Beach
- The Hotel du Palais Napoleon III
- The magnificent Belle Époque villas
- The Imperial Chapel
- The Casino
- The Fisherman's Port
- The Bell of the Atalaye Plateau
- The sea museum
- The Rock of the Virgin
- The Old Port
- The Villa Belza
- Beach of the Côte des Basques
How long to visit Biarritz?
My tourist circuit allows you to visit all the emblematic sites of Biarritz listed above on foot. It represents about 5 kilometers or a little over 1 hour of walking to spread over a day.
My itinerary starts from the Phare de Biarritz and ends on the Côte des Basques. But it can be done the other way around if that's more convenient for you.
The ideal will be to do it in 1 day but if you have little time, you can shorten it by removing the last stage (Côte des Basques). Thus, the circuit represents only 4 kilometers and is done in less than 1 hour of walking.
Attention because this circuit does not make a loop, it is therefore necessary to plan in addition the time of the return to your hotel, your car, to the station or the airport.
Map to visit Biarritz on foot
Here is the map of the itinerary on foot to visit the most beautiful sites of Biarritz in 1 day.
Click on "More options" in the map to switch to pedestrian GPS mode
Circuit to visit Biarritz on foot
Here are the visits of my itinerary with advice and information on the site for each stage.
Visit Biarritz on foot – Morning program
What to see in Biarritz – Biarritz Lighthouse
My tour starts with a visit to the Biarritz Lighthouse, which dates from 1834. By climbing its 248 steps, you will have a magnificent view of Biarritz and Cap Hainsart.
What to see in Biarritz – La Grande Plage
From the lighthouse, along the Esplanade Elisabeth II then the Avenue de l'Impératrice, you will pass by the Viewpoint of the Empress where you can take beautiful pictures.
Then continuing with theWinston Churchill Alley, you will arrive on the Biarritz beach which is a mythical and unmissable place in the city.
The Hotel du Palais Napoleon III
Facing the beach you will find the Hôtel du Palais which was built in 1855 by Napoleon III and his wife. At the time, it was called La Villa Eugénie. Then in 1881, it was sold and transformed into a hotel-casino which was called the Palais-Biarritz, then again transformed into a hotel in 1893. This Palace underwent another transformation when in 1903 it was ravaged by the flames of a big fire.
Today, it is a splendid 5-star palace which welcomes an international clientele, politicians, stars and wealthy people. See below, at the end of the article, to book.
All along the beach, there are magnificent villas from the 1900s (see the video below):
The Russian Street
Going behind the Hôtel du Palais you will reach the rue de Russie. You will discover at the corner of rue Impératrice theSt. Alexander Orthodox Church. It dates from 1982 and was built by the Russians who often came to Biarritz to enjoy the ocean but especially the splendor of Biarritz.
What to visit in Biarritz – The Imperial Chapel
Then taking the rue de l'Université Americaine, you will arrive in front of the Imperial Chapel, classified as a Historic Monument. It was Empress Eugénie (wife of Napoleon III) who had it built in 1864.
What to visit in Biarritz – The Casino
It will now be necessary to return to the main beach and take the beautiful walk along the quay of the Main Beach. You will then go to Avenue Edouard VII. This is where another emblematic site of Biarritz is located: its Casino.
Built in 1929 by the architect Alfred Laulhé, this magnificent building displays a simply splendid Art Deco style. It has also been listed as a historical monument since 1992.
What to see in Biarritz – The Port des Pêcheurs
My circuit continues on the seafront promenade towards Boulevard du General de Gaulle where the Port des Pêcheurs is located. This is the ideal place to have your lunch. Indeed, the place is very nice with snacks and good little restaurants to taste mussels, grilled sardines, calamari a la plancha and all the Basque specialties.
Visit Biarritz on foot – Afternoon program
Bell of the Plateau de l'Atalaye
After your meal, you will continue the tourist circuit which will take you to the Cloche du Plateau de l'Atalaye. This is another very beautiful view of Biarritz.
The Sea Museum or Biarritz Aquarium
Before arriving at the Rocher de la Vierge, if you have children, I recommend that you visit the Biarritz Aquarium. On the Esplanade du Rocher de la Vierge, this aquarium is one of the largest in Europe (7 m² + 000 m1500 pool). It brings together more than 3 species with cetaceans, the shark cave and a seal pool.
What to see in Biarritz – The Rock of the Virgin
Opposite the aquarium, at the very end of the Eiffel footbridge is the famous Rocher de la Vierge. It is a rock on which is a statue of the Virgin Mary which was purchased in 1865 at the Franco-Spanish exhibition held in Bayonne.
What to see in Biarritz – Port Vieux
Just a few more steps on the Esplanade de la Vierge and you arrive on Port Vieux beach.
What to see in Biarritz – Villa Belza
My circuit finally passes in front of the superb Villa Belza in neo-medieval style (see info on the video above).
The Beach of the Côte des Basques
To end my tourist circuit, I suggest you discover the mythical beach of surfers: the beach of the Côte des Basques. It extends over 1 kilometer and offers a beautiful view of the rock of the Virgin on one side and on the other on the mountains of the Spanish Coast.
Where to stay to visit Biarritz?
If your budget allows it, treat yourself to the best: theHotel du Palais (Napoleon III's Villa Eugénie). You will stay in an exceptional place where the history of France mixes with luxury and elegance.
And if you are looking for a less expensive hotel but well placed to visit Biarritz and to enjoy its beautiful beach, here is a good address: Sofitel Biarritz Le Miramar Thalassa
What to visit around Biarritz?
Want to do some sightseeing around Biarritz? So here are some ideas for visits: