Considered the birthplace of European surfing, this picturesque bay of golden sand is backed by rugged cliffs and lined with beachfront cafés.
Côte des Basques is one of Biarritz’s most famous beaches. Come here to enjoy spectacular coastal scenery and relaxed walks, learn to surf and attend summer festivals. Since the 1950s, Côte des Basques has been widely considered to be the heartland of Europe’s surfing culture.
The beach is a long sweep of golden sand framed by jagged cliffs. When the tide is out, there’s plenty of space to walk, play beach games and sit watching the rolling waves crash against the shore. On a hot day, take a refreshing swim in the cool waters of the Bay of Biscay. Bear in mind that at high tide the waves reach the beach wall and completely cover the sand.
Watch surfers perform tricks in the swelling waves year-round. Côte des Basques is also a popular surf spot for beginners. Several surf schools are located on the beach and offer private or group lessons with qualified instructors. Visit the beach in July when it hosts the Biarritz Surf Festival. Watch surf contests and live music performances.
Stroll along the ocean-fronting Boulevard du Prince de Galles. Here, you can enjoy picturesque sunsets and views of the distant Spanish Pyrenees. Relax at one of the boulevard’s bars or cafés while sipping on cocktails and sampling fresh seafood. The boulevard wraps around the beach’s northern peninsula and leads to Biarritz’s Port Vieux (Old Harbor) and the Rocher de la Vierge (Virgin’s Rock). Keep an eye out for La Villa Belza, a 19th-century building that rises out from a rocky headland.
Côte des Basques is about a 15-minute walk from Biarritz’s city center. Lifeguards patrol the beach between June and September. Find parking on Boulevard du Prince de Galles and above the cliff at the middle of the beach. Parking is free in the winter months and a small fee is charged in summer. Access the beach from the cliff via a winding staircase. A free shuttle bus connects the beach with Port Vieux and the city center.
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