Staying Right in the Heart of the Action

We stayed in a chic apartment, right in the hustle and bustle, next to Halles de Biarritz, the indoor fresh food market, and I would absolutely do the same again.  The market itself is gorgeous, with stalls piled high with fresh fruit and veg, cheeses, seafood, pastries and cured meats. It’s impossible to walk through and not want to eat everything. It is also a great place to grab a coffee and just people‑watch in the mornings.

Step outside and you are surrounded by bars and restaurants, so we never had to walk far for dinner or a drink. For a girls’ trip it was perfect: no need to worry about taxis, just wander out, follow the noise and the smells of good food, and you are sorted

Tapas & People‑Watching at Bar Jean

On our first night we went to Bar Jean, which is one of Biarritz’s institutions. It’s a lively tapas bar and quickly became one of our favourites. It was busy and buzzy in the best possible way, with plates of tapas flying out and people spilling out onto the square.  We ordered a bit of everything to share and just settled in to watch the world go by. It was one of those nights where you instantly feel like you are on holiday, even though you have only been there a few hours.

Biarritz Highlights: Waves, Views & Boutique Shops

Biarritz is one of those places where the ocean is always in the background. The waves are pretty wild and there are surfers everywhere, which gives the town a really relaxed, cool feel.

• The bridge to the Virgin Mary
  One of the main “must‑sees” is the bridge that takes you over to the statue of the Virgin Mary on a rocky outcrop. You walk out over the water with the Atlantic crashing underneath you and get amazing views back towards the town and along the coast. It is dramatic and really beautiful, and absolutely worth doing.
• Wild Atlantic waves & surf vibes
  Even if you are not surfing yourself, it is so much fun just watching everyone else. There is something really calming about standing on the promenade and watching wave after wave roll in, with surfers dotted all over the place trying to catch the perfect one.
• Boutiques that ruin your hand‑luggage plan
  The shopping is seriously good. There are loads of little independent boutiques and before I knew it, my suitcase was noticeably heavier on the way home. Clothes, accessories, local bits and pieces… it is very easy to “just pop in for a look” and come out with a bag.
• Walk up to the lighthouse
  We did the walk up to the lighthouse too, which I really recommend. It's  a nice way to stretch your legs and you get incredible views once you are up there. You can really see how the coastline changes and it gives you a proper sense of where you are.

Favourite Spots for Food & Drinks

We tried a few different places over the weekend, but a couple really stood out.

• Eden Rocks
  Eden Rocks was probably our favourite. It is tucked into the rocks overlooking a little beach, with those big Atlantic waves crashing in front of you. Sitting there with a drink, chatting, watching the sea… it felt like exactly what a girls’ weekend should be. Relaxed, fun and just a little bit special.
• Etxola Bibi Biarritz
  Another spot we loved was Etxola Bibi Biarritz, which is an open‑air bar that looks down over the surfers. It is such a good place to watch the sunset. You have the beach below, surfers in the water and the sky changing colour in front of you. We could happily have stayed there for hours.

Between those, Bar Jean, and all the bits we tried around the market and in the side streets, we definitely didn't go hungry or thirsty.

A Rainy Day Adventure to San Sebastián

One of the great things about Biarritz is how close it is to Spain. One day we jumped in an Uber to San Sebastián for a change of scene. It only took about 45 minutes, so it is really easy as a day trip.

The weather, however, did not play ball. It rained pretty much all day, so we decided to do the hop‑on hop‑off bus. In reality there was not much “hopping off” because it was so wet, but it still gave us a good overview of the city.

We did make the effort to get the funicular up to the top of the mountain, which was worth it. Even in the drizzle the views were lovely and you could really see how pretty San Sebastián is. I kept thinking how gorgeous it would be in the sunshine, so it is definitely somewhere I would like to go back to.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Biarritz Weekend

If you are thinking of doing a similar long weekend, here are a few simple tips from our trip:

1. Pick a central base
   Staying near the indoor market worked so well. Being able to walk everywhere makes a big difference on a short break.
2. Make time for the market
   Do at least one proper wander through the market. Grab breakfast there, try some local bits and soak up the atmosphere.
3. Pack for all weather
   Even though it is a beach destination, the Atlantic can be a bit unpredictable, so pack layers and a light jacket as well as your swimwear.
4. Do the “big views”
   If you can, fit in the bridge to the Virgin Mary, the lighthouse and a sunset drink at Etxola Bibi. They all give you different views of Biarritz and they are all worth it.
5. Leave space in your suitcase
   The boutiques are too good, so do yourself a favour and do not arrive with a completely full bag. You will probably want to bring something home.
6. Add a San Sebastián day trip if you can
   If you have a spare day, it is a really easy and fun trip.  Even in the rain we still appreciated how beautiful it is.

If this has given you the itch to get away, whether that is to Biarritz or somewhere completely different, I would love to help. It's not always the most obvious places that end up being the best fit. Sometimes it is worth trying somewhere a little different, just like Biarritz was for us.