Between Cliffs, Elegant Buildings and Viewpoints in Biarritz

The remaining sight to see in Saint-Jean-de-Luz is this church where a historic event took place in the middle of the 17th century: the marriage of Louis XIV to the Infanta Maria Theresa, which put an end to the war between the Bourbons and the Habsburgs by sealing a peace treaty.
The interior of the church is a work of art, where everything is reminiscent of its period of splendour. The stained-glass windows, the altarpiece and the three rows of balconies on both sides of the side walls stand out.
Open Hours: From April to September: Monday to Saturday: 8:30 - 18:30. Sunday: 8:00 - 19:30. From October to March: Monday to Saturday: 8:30 - 18:00. Sunday: 8:00 - 19:30.

Arriving in Biarritz, one of the best car parks to make the circular route through its historic centre. Don't worry about the more remote places like the lighthouse, you will come back for the car and continue the route.

Start your tour of Biarritz on this small horseshoe-shaped beach surrounded by low cliffs.
On one of the sides stands the charming Villa Belza building, a place where you can take beautiful photographs, built at the end of the 19th century.

It is one of the symbols of the city, a rock over the sea that is joined to the mainland by a bridge, and houses the image of the Virgin of the Rock.
The rock has a small lookout point to contemplate the views of the coast of Biarritz with its elegant buildings and cliffs.

Another of Biarritz's viewpoints that allows you to see the fishermen's marina, the large beach and the lighthouse in the distance.
Next to it is the Gamaritz esplanade, an ideal place to go when the Cantabrian Sea is roaring and the waves are splashing.

Built in the early 20th century in the neo-Gothic style in honour of Napoleon III's wife, who was enchanted by the city when she visited it for the first time.
Its interior is notable for its enormous stained-glass windows with astonishing details. If you visit the city during the festive season, such as Christmas, its façade is illuminated in different colours. Admission is free.
Open Hours: All days: 7:45 - 19:00

Another of the viewpoints overlooking the seafront, linked by a small bridge. Being on one side of the large beach, it is the best panoramic view of the beach along with the Casino building and the Du Palais hotel.
A few metres out to sea, you can see the small caiman rock, so called because of its shape resembling the animal.

A visit to a crêperie is a must on a trip to France to taste some of its delicacies. This one in particular is located next to the large beach, with a wide range of salads, crêpes, and sweets.
To recommend the savoury crêpe with grated cheese, avocado, tomato, and cream and the sweet crêpe with chocolate and toasted almonds.
Take the opportunity to refuel your belly, feast your eyes on those ocean views, and rest your feet as the walk through Biarritz will continue.
Open Hours: All days: 12:00 - 22:00.

It is a small museum whose curiosity is that it is housed in a former Anglican church that has been converted into an exhibition space.
It houses different exhibits that refer to the history of the city from its fishing origins to the present day, such as photos, objects, and clothing. Although most of the information is in French, there are also references in English.

Art deco in style, what is worth seeing is the spectacular interior, regardless of whether or not you want to have fun playing in the casino.
It has a restaurant and cafeteria where you can have a beer or coffee and enjoy the view of the large beach.

With its Byzantine style, it is located on the large beach, between the emblematic buildings of the casino and the Hotel du Palais.
Completely restored on the outside, the Orthodox church was built at the end of the 19th century with contributions from the Russian community, who had been summering here since the time of Napoleon.
Open Hours: Thursday to Saturday: 15:30 - 17:30. Sunday: 14:00 - 16:00.

Although you are not staying in this five-star hotel, its construction in the mid-19th century represented Napoleon III's crush on the city. It was sent to be built by his wife, the Empress Eugénie de Montijo, to serve as a summer residence.
Luxurious throughout its interior, its reddish colouring on the outside sets it apart from other buildings. For many years it was used to house the bourgeoisie, who enjoyed the splendour of the city after being promoted by Napoleon III.

An extensive stretch of sand that is a continuation of the large beach, ideal for watching beautiful sunsets over the Cantabrian Sea.
In the centre of the beach and overlooking the sea, the so-called roca ronda (round rock) stands out, the remains of a cliff that is nestled on the sand.

On the way back to the car park, stop at this small chapel, another vestige of the city's golden age, whose construction was ordered by the Empress Eugenia de Montijo in honour of the Virgin of Guadalupe of Mexico.
For information about opening hours, contact the official tourism website of Biarritz.

The visit to the Catholic and Orthodox churches is complemented by this Anglican church. Of simple stone construction with stained-glass windows and paintings inside, it is the main Anglican compound in the city.
Open Hours: All days: 8:00 - 20:00.

Before arriving at the car park, this viewpoint is surprising. You can see the immensity of the Cantabrian Sea, the extensive sandy area below and the cliffs of the coast, the typical landscape you come across all the time in the Basque Country.

Pick up the car and head for the lighthouse to watch the sunset and have dinner nearby.

The viewpoint with the widest view of the coast of Biarritz, from the old port to the Miramar beach on one side and the sandy area to the mouth of the Adour river in the sea on the other side.
You can climb the 248 steps to the top of the lighthouse, but the opening hours are very limited, open only two days a week.
Open Hours: Saturday and Sunday: 14:00 - 18:00.

The cave holds a legend that deserves to be known. It is located next to the beach of the same name, a perfect place to see the sun setting in the Bay of Biscay with its orange skies.
Bring a drink or snack to toast when the sun goes down.

Excellent pizzas and pastas with fast service. During lunch on weekdays, they have a menu available.
They also offer meat dishes, fish and elaborate salads. Not to be missed is the carpaccio, a delight.
Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12:00 - 14:00, 19:30 – 22:00.

Design hotel with excellent location, meters away from Miramar beach. It has an outdoor swimming pool and bar.
The rooms are spacious, well decorated and overlooking the ocean and the lighthouse.