10 Best Family Things to Do in Biarritz

Biarritz offers many activities for you to enjoy with your family. If you’re well organized, you can enjoy some great times with your little ones. These family activities, inside or out in the open air, active or relaxing, will undoubtedly delight both the young and the not so young.

Sprinkle all this with a generous helping of sun and beach relaxation, and you have everything you need for a great family vacation that everyone will remember for years to come. Here are some top picks for family-friendly activities in Biarritz.

Biarritz Hotels

1. La Côte des Basques beach

A long stretch of sandy beach with magnificent sunsets

Good for: Adventure, Budget, Families, Photo

<p>La Côte des Basques beach is an absolute must during your time in Biarritz. This vast stretch of fine, golden sand borders the Atlantic Ocean, and the rolling waves that come in from the sea make it a paradise for surfers. The show never ends here, much to the delight of kids who can also make the most of the water under the watch of its lifeguard station, and with the distribution of sun cream or identity bracelets.</p><p>The many surf schools available mean that the older ones can also give it a go. In the evening, the whole family can enjoy the magnificent sunsets offering views across to the Spanish coastline surrounded by impressive cliffs.</p>

Location: Côte des Basques, 64200 Biarritz, France

2. Miramar Beach

A quiet and sheltered beach a few steps away from La Grande Plage

Good for: Budget, Families, Photo, Unusual

<p>Plage du Miramar, known in English as Miramar Beach, is undoubtedly one of the locals’ most closely-guarded secrets. It feels like it’s a thousand miles from the hustle and bustle of the beach at La Grande Plage, but it’s so close by. This small sandy beach, mostly accessible by foot, is a quiet and charming place sheltered from the wind. It’s therefore an ideal location to enjoy the delights of the sea with young children.</p><p>Supervised bathing is available in July and August. However, as with the rest of the Basque coastline, it’s not advisable to go in the water during high tide or when the sea is rough. Outside of the bathing area, surfers and bodyboarders provide entertainment.</p>

Location: Plage Miramar, 64200 Biarritz, France

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3. Milady Beach

A sandy beach with a play area, perfect for families

Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Budget, Adventure

<p>Plage de la Milady, or Milady Beach in English, is a real treat for families and is well known by the locals. In this beautiful setting, there is a vast expanse of sand with waves that crash against the huge rocks as well as a lovely children’s play area and a wonderful promenade next to the sea. There is free parking available, as well as ‘handiplage’ and ‘handisurf’ activities, which are accessible activities for those with disabilities that are available in July and August.</p><p>For everyone’s peace of mind, bathing is supervised in the high season. There are a number of friendly cafe and restaurants nearby, ready to indulge your every whim.</p>

Location: Plage de la Milady, 64200 Biarritz, France

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4. Introduction to surfing at Ilbarritz Beach

Strong sensations and feelings of serenity, gliding across the waves

Good for: Adventure, Families, Photo

<p>Ilbarritz Beach is a great place for an introduction to surfing. The Bidart Surf Academy is a pleasant, family-friendly surf school, found on the beautiful beach between Biarritz and Bidart. Here, the experienced and enthusiastic instructors pull out all the stops to share their passion with you, whether you’re a child, a beginner, or even an expert. All the equipment you need is available here to hire, including foam boards, bodyboards, hybrids, and stand-up paddleboards.</p><p>Your instructor will capture all your best surfing moments with their action camera. And to fully enjoy the experience, the club can even organize an evening aperitif at sunset to help you commit the day’s best waves to memory.</p>

Location: Av. Ilbarritz, 64200 Biarritz, France

Open: Daily from 8 am to 9 pm

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5. Cité de l’Océan

A fun, scientific theme park where you can discover more about the ocean

Good for: Adventure, Families, Photo

<p>Cité de l’Océan can be found in the friendly area of Côte des Basques. It’s home to an interactive museum showing a number of family-friendly movies, allowing you to delve deep into all the secrets of the ocean.</p><p>You can climb aboard a diving vessel before riding the perfect tube. Next, you can tease Archie, the giant squid, and listen to the secrets of Christopher Columbus. Then, get in the Seaborg to do some diving before finally entering a replica of a polar base. In short, young and old alike can enjoy a host of educational experiences that are often interactive and always interesting and fun.</p>

Location: 1 avenue de la Plage, 64200 Biarritz, France

Open: Hours vary by season

Phone: +33 (0)5 59 22 75 40

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6. Hike along the Biarritz coastline

A breath of sea air and all the attractions of Biarritz while walking

Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Budget, Adventure

<p>A hike along the Biarritz coastline offers a breath of sea air with your family to recharge your batteries. Start your journey at the well-known Chambre d’Amour cave in Anglet. This 6-mile walk takes around 3 hours and follows an easy route through a covered walkway, running alongside the Grande Plage Miramar to the magnificent fishing port. Next, climb to the Plateau de l’Atalaye to reach the legendary Rock of the Virgin.</p><p>After a little detour via Basques Beach, climb back up to the Beau Rivage Plateau before returning to the town center and Les Halles, finishing your walk along the lighthouse path. It’s an adventure that will allow you to explore everything Biarritz has to offer.</p>

Location: Grotte de la Chambre d’Amour, 1 avenue des Vagues, 64600 Anglet, France

7. Biarritz Multimedia Library

Workshops and an ever-changing range of media-based resources

Good for: Couples, Families, Budget

<p>The Médiathèque de Biarritz, or Biarritz Multimedia Library in English, is a strange, modern building that, like a ship carried away by the waves, has been grounded in the heart of the town center, providing young and old with memories of fascinating and faraway journeys. Opened in 2005, the library will delight architecture enthusiasts, before revealing its treasures spread across 38,000 square feet.</p><p>This lively cultural space offers a number of exhibitions and workshops, in particular for songwriting, as well as meetings with artists and writers. Children can discover a number of different musical genres, try their hand at art, or take part in spoken stories and concerts.</p>

Location: 2 rue Ambroise Paré, 64200 Biarritz, France

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 1pm and 2 pm to 6 pm. Thursday from 2 pm to 6 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

Phone: +33 (0)5 59 22 28 86

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8. Pierre Forsans Public Garden

A true moment of tranquillity in the green heart of Biarritz

Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Budget

<p>Le Jardin Public Pierre Forsans is named after the director of the railways and former mayor of Biarritz, and is a calm, green space in the heart of the town. It is located between Av. Carnot and Av. du Jardin public opposite the Gare du Midi.</p><p>This park is a firm favorite with families thanks to its vast expanse of lawns, a plethora of flowers, pretty statues, a pavilion that hosts a number of activities, and a play area that is great for younger visitors. Many comfortable benches offer you some time out for a little reading, quiet contemplation, or a place to enjoy a sweet treat.</p>

Location: 5 avenue du Maréchal Foch, 64200 Biarritz, France

Open: Daily from 9 am to 7 pm

Phone: +33 (0)5 59 22 37 10

9. Marion Lake

A magnificent lake, large grassy bank, and huge play area

Good for: Adventure, Couples, Families, Photo

<p>Marion Lake is a peaceful and picturesque spot, ideal for recreation or family walks. It is hidden within a spectacular landscape of greenery yet is just a stone’s throw from the town center. This fantastic playground is spread across 50 acres including 12 acres of water.</p><p>The lake is home to perch, carp, and pumpkinseed fish, surrounded by magnificent English oak trees. Anglers, joggers, hikers, and other sports enthusiasts will fully appreciate the fresh air, while children aged 2–12 won’t be able to stay away from the 32,000-square-foot playground.</p>

Location: Lac Marion, 64200 Biarritz, France

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10. Operation Escape Bayonne

Thrills guaranteed during an escape room session in Bayonne

Good for: Adventure, Couples, Families

<p>At Operation Escape Bayonne you can surprise your companions during this 60-minute immersive adventure that is both intense and entertaining. As its name implies, it’s an escape room where you must take on several missions before escaping. There are a number of themes to choose from like whodunnits, magic, fantastic beasts, or brain-teasers.</p><p>Once you’ve chosen your theme, a game master will plunge you deep inside what will be your story for the next hour. In your quest for freedom, you’ll pass through a series of rooms, each more surprising and disorientating than the last. It’s an unforgettable adventure that can be shared as a couple, a family, or with friends. Suitable for ages 8 and over.</p>

Location: 11 rue de la Tillole, 64100 Bayonne, France

Open: Hours vary by season

Phone: +33 (0)6 16 62 61 17

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