Gorgeous sandy beaches with a touch of glitz and glamour and you will have the French coastal town of Biarritz. Already a popular vacation destination, the resort town lies in the Bay of Biscay in the southwest region of France. It borders Spain and is well known for its festive atmosphere. The start of Biarritz popularity goes all the way back to the time of Napoleon III and his wife Eugenie, frequently visiting the town.
Mild climate and the dramatic rocky outcrops populating the coastline defines the town. As expected, stunning beaches are the main reason people choose to spend their vacation time in Biarritz. The main beach and the most popular one is the Grand Plage. During high season, this beach can get crowded so plan accordingly.
Another sandy alternative to consider is the Cote de Basque Beach situated on the Boulevard du Prince de Galles. This is a long surfer’s beach. During high tide, the sand disappears. It is more appealing and sandier at low tide. Other beaches to look out for are ones you will find in the Anglet area. What may surprise you about Biarritz is its huge Atlantic waves, which draw in a large surfing following. In fact, the city’s beaches are considered to have the best waves in all of Europe for surfing.
If you want to take a break from the sea and the waves, you can always visit some the architectural treasures in town. One of them is the Russian Orthodox Church of Sainte Eugenie, the Lighthouse and the Museum of Asian Art. If you came here with family, then the Museum of the Sea is a fun destination. Its huge aquarium features a wide array of marine creatures like anemones, seals, sharks and fish. A stylish town like Biarritz will dazzle you with its wide range of restaurant, spa centers, pools and sauna facilities.
Exhilarating water sports are readily offered. In Biarritz, you can go rafting, jest skiing, sea kayaking to your heart’s desire. On dry land, sports plays a big part in the city’s recreation scene. For starters, Biarritz is a golfer’s dream come true. Within a 50 kilometer radius, you will find 10 golf courses in the city. One of the most notable courses is the Le Golf de Phare. Built in 1888, this is Europe’s second oldest golf course.
The Cote Basque au Sud des Landes offers four courses while the International Center for Entertainment in Biarritz have 5 golf schools, which are set in a very green landscape surrounded by the ocean. If you want to play in two or more golf courses in Cote Basque, grab a Golf Pass Biarritz Cote Basque to fully enjoy the golf madness.
Another dominant sport played all over the city is the Basque Pelota. There are over 20 variations of the game, and the most popular among them are La Pala and La Cesta Punta. The city regularly host tournaments especially during summer. If you are not familiar with the game, your vacation in Biarritz is the best time to practice it. If you wish to stay in the sideline and watch the game unfold, you can book a ticket with the tourism office in the city (Biarritz Tourisme).
