A vacation to Biarritz with kids is fun! This seaside resort in the south of France is known for its surf culture, and its beaches are therefore crowded. Biarritz is also called the surf capital of France. Nevertheless, in Biarritz you can do many other activities with your family besides surfing. In this blog we list the best children’s activities in Biarritz.
Best travel time Biarritz with kids
The best travel time to visit Biarritz with kids is from May through September. This is when you have the greatest chance of sunny weather and when you are also most likely to be able to swim in the sea. Most families with kids visit Biarritz as part of a sun vacation anyway, and then these months are the most suitable.
July and August are the months with the best weather, but on the other hand, these are also the busiest months of the year in Biarritz in terms of tourism. For many families with kids anyway, this is the period they go on vacation because of the school vacations. The months of May and September are a lot quieter in terms of tourism, but then you have to be a little lucky with the weather.
Transportation to and in Biarritz
Most families with kids drive to Biarritz by car. This seaside resort is also easily accessible by car. Biarritz also has a train station, so it is also definitely possible to visit Biarritz by train. For families with kids coming to France by plane, the big advantage is that Biarritz itself has an airport.
From Biarritz airport, you can get to the city center in a few minutes by car. You can easily rent a car at this airport to explore the surroundings of Biarritz with kids. We are fans of Sunny Cars’ rental cars and always rent abroad through this company. So be sure to check online to rent a car at Biarritz airport.
In Biarritz itself, you can stroll through the center just fine. The historic center is not very large, but definitely fun to visit with kids. You have a maze of little streets here. If you do not have a car at your disposal, you can always travel by bus or train to see things in the region. Of course, a cab is another option with kids.
Children’s activities Biarritz
#1 La Grande Plage
As we mentioned earlier in this blog, many tourists come to Biarritz for the beaches. The most famous beach in Biarritz is La Grande Plage and from the center of Biarritz you can walk right to this beach. Around this beach are beautiful historic buildings and there are also plenty of catering establishments for a bite to eat and a drink.
Part of the beach here is really for surfers and part is for swimming. There are also several lifeguards here in the summer months who keep an eye on people. You have both a part with sand and a part with pebbles, so bring water shoes for the kids as well.
Besides La Grande Plage, you have 2 other beaches you can visit in Biarritz with kids. These are Plage du Miramar (this beach actually runs into La Grande Plage) and Plage du Port Vieux (this is a small beach near the center). Of course, you can get surfing lessons in Biarritz from several providers. A tourist train runs through the city center and along the beaches in which you and kids can be transported.
#2 Rocher de la Vierge
From the beaches you can walk to Rocher de la Vierge which is the symbol of the city. This rock looks like a ship and is located off the coast of Biarrritz. A bridge has been made to it so you can walk to this rock.
Another symbol of the city is the Biarritz lighthouse. You can also walk to this in Biarritz with kids. This lighthouse is located on a hill and you have to climb a little over 200 steps to reach the lighthouse. From the center of Biarritz you can walk to the lighthouse in about 20 minutes. So this is also a great walk to do with kids.
#3 Biarritz Aquarium
One activity you can do in downtown Biarritz with kids is to visit the Biarritz Aquarium. This aquarium has many different tropical fish that you can check out with kids. This aquarium consists of no less than 3 different floors and you have turtles, seals, sharks, seahorses and jellyfish in addition to tropical fish here.
In addition to animal viewing, the aquarium also hosts seal shows. This is also a great activity if, for example, the weather in Biarritz is not so good and you still want to do something with kids. Keep in mind, of course, that it can be quite crowded with other visitors.
Around the aquarium, it is difficult to park the car properly, though. A ticket for kids is a lot cheaper than for adults. It is also possible to do an activity here with VR glasses on and you pay a separate ticket for this. For more information about the animals, opening hours and tickets, check out Biarritz Aquarium‘s website.
#4 Oihana’s Adventure Park
You can also go to a fun climbing park near Biarritz with kids. Oihana’s Adventure Park is a half-hour drive from the center of Biarritz and you can go climbing here with kids as young as 4 years old. They then climb at a height of 0.5 meters to 1.5 meters and as parents you can walk with the kids. They can do this for 2 hours.
Children as young as 6 years old can climb the more difficult courses together with their parents and if the kids are 8 years old they can climb on their own. You have several courses here and it depends a bit on how old the kids are how many courses they can do at this climbing park. We always find this a fun activity to do with our daughter together. The highest course is 20 meters high.
It is also possible for kids 8 years and older to play a game of paintball here against other peers. If you visit Biarritz in the hot summer months, it is wise to do these activities in the early morning or late afternoon. We also did some climbing during the day, but climbing is quite intensive and it gets very hot between the trees.
#5 Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Biarritz is near the French part of the Basque Country, and one of the nicer towns to explore around here is Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is about 25 minutes away by car from Biarritz. It is a nice town to visit in the late afternoon. The center has cozy streets and beautiful buildings, and you can have great food with kids.
You can combine a visit to the center with a visit to the beach of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. You have several little beaches to visit here. Near Saint-Jean-de-Luz is the beach of Plage de Senix. This is a nice beach without too many facilities, but with some nice eateries near the beach.
Family-friendly restaurant Biarritz
Biarritz is a popular seaside resort and is crowded with tourists. Of course, you also have plenty of restaurants in Biarritz that are family-friendly. We list some of these family-friendly restaurants in Biarritz below.
Bali Bowls: here you can have a very healthy breakfast or lunch with kids in Biarritz. You have several bowls you can eat at this restaurant and you also have many vegetarian options at this restaurant.
Biarritz Pizza: If you feel like pizza as a family, this is one of the better places where you can get pizza. You can take them here and eat them on the beach or in the hotel room with the family.
Milwaukee Cafe: this restaurant is a great place to go for breakfast or lunch in Biarritz with kids. You can order dishes like pancakes or an egg on bread here.
Family-friendly hotel Biarritz
You can stay in Biarritz with kids just fine, as you have plenty of fun and family-friendly accommodations in this seaside town. We list only the best rated family-friendly accommodations in Biarritz below. Click on the blue link for more information.
Budget accommodation: Résidence Vacances Bleues Le Grand Large
Mid-range accommodation: Mercure Président Biarritz Plage
Luxury accommodation: Hôtel Le Café de Paris
Also check out the entire list of family-friendlyaccommodationsin Biarritz.
